Omega question

[Batchief909]

I just fell into a deal on a .50 Omega from a buddy on hard times. Shot approx. 10 times. Cleaned the barrel good after I brought it home, and he apparently had done a good job cleaning before he put it up. Tried some 300gr SST's in it with good results. Here's my question. ARE THESE ALWAYS SO DARN HARD TO LOAD?! I got some 360gr Dead Centers coming, and hope these will load a little easier. Is this fairly common?

[RandyWakeman]

Tried some 300gr SST's in it with good results. Here's my question. ARE THESE ALWAYS SO DARN HARD TO LOAD?!

Normally, yes - - - the 250 SST's are easier.

[Batchief909]

I just fell into a deal on a .50 Omega from a buddy on hard times. Shot approx. 10 times. Cleaned the barrel good after I brought it home, and he apparently had done a good job cleaning before he put it up. Tried some 300gr SST's in it with good results. Here's my question. ARE THESE ALWAYS SO DARN HARD TO LOAD?! I got some 360gr Dead Centers coming, and hope these will load a little easier. Is this fairly common?

Correction: 260gr Dead Centers coming

[Omega]

Normally, yes - - - the 250 SST's are easier

Not in my Omegas I can't see a difference loading 250s or 300s.
rich

[Batchief909]

Rich,
Do yours load fairly tight?

[RandyWakeman]

I can't speak for Rich, but he has never mentioned problems.

The longer bullets have always been harder to load for me, regardless of brand-- for the simple reason of more bearing surface.

[Oldsnow]

Have you thought about fire lapping your Omega barrel. I have fire lapped my Omega and Oncore and they load alot smoother. Also it helped to reduce my group size.

[Underclocked]

Oldsnow, would you explain the process you used to firelap?  What kind of abrasives on what kind of bullets?

Thanks.

[Oldsnow]

I use Brownells lapping conpounds 600 and 800 grit. I apply this to lead bullets, by rolling the bullets and compound between to steel plates. Then these bullets are loaded in the (breach) of a muzzleloader barrel, with enought powder to get then out of the barrel. After you have your powder and bullet loaded from the (breach), take your ram rod and  make sure your bullet is seated on your powder before shooting. I shot three rounds then I clean my barrel. I keep doing this untill I get what I want. About fifteen rounds.