I never noticed it w/saboted bullets. I decided to try the Thore full bore dia. bullet which is made by Barnes for Thore. They send a sizing pac which has bullets of .500,501,502,503 etc. The 501 felt about right as I could push it w/two fingers on the ramrod to about 8 in. in front of the breech plug,then it pushed slightly harder but easily seatable. This all on a VERY clean bore. At the range that last 8 inches became a pounding match and I knew these .501's were not going to work. I know this was due to fowling at the range......but, even on the clean bore they were tighter in that last few inches.