Have to use a hammer to load Sabots

I just pulled my muzzleloader out of the closet and cleaned it up and made sure everything was in good condition. I go out to shoot it and I literally had to use a hammer to get the load started down the barrel. The barrel is clean and was treated with bore butter. Shooting the same loads I have always shot which is the Shock Wave in Mag Express Sabots with 150 grains of Hodgdon triple seven powder.

Any idea why it would be so hard to load. In the past I have just been able get it started with the ball and then finish packing it with the rod.

You done got soft

Different box/pack of ammo?

A hammer should not be in your possibles bag.

same box of ammo I used last year. I can't figure it out and I'll be damn if I am going to carry a hammer with to the stand.

Power Belts would solve that problem.

I was thinking it had to be something to do with plastic holder because the bullet itself will slide up and down the barrel without the cover. I have Some Powerbelts and may have to switch over to them, but have to resight everything again. Probably just stick with my bow

What brand of rifle is it?

Bet it's a CVA...every CVA I've ever tried to load ShockWave's in was the exact same way! Like Top Cat says, Power Belts solve that problem.

Wrap some 0000 steel wool around a 20ga brush and mop the bore then come back and lube. sounds like your bore butter may have dried and caked onto the bore but my remedy will solve the issue

My CVA LOVES shockwaves. Didn’t shoot powerbelts worth a flip but think I was shooting too light a bullet over too much powder

Its a Thompson. i bought some powerbelts, and it is no longer an issue at all.
would just like to know why it just started after shooting same load for three years though.

Sounds like the sabots that you used to shoot have been replaced with thicker ones. I'd try some different sabots before I'd shoot Powerbelts. I've read way too many bad reports on Powerbelts and that they leave a melted plastic ring in the barrel.

They are the same ammo. No more than I use it, there is plenty of ammo left in the original box. I bought some of the powerbelts but haven't been able to shoot it yet. Continuing to hunt with my bow as usual, but I do want to use the Muzzleloader during the rut some this year.

Have you tried dead eyes solution yet? Bore butters ok for Lube while shooting but it does dry and cake. I wouldn't use it for cleaning and putting away for the year. Sabots can also leave a plastic coating in the barrel.

I would say if you have to hammer it in, STOP, something ain't right. If you're really keen on that bullet/sabot combo then you can have a gunsmith ream the first 3/4" of the barrel to take the rifling down so you can just drop the bullet in 3/4s of way in. Makes it a lot easier to start it.