this is strait from there web site,
http://www.barnesbullets.com/products/muzzleloader/i know there is another tmz post going but wanted to make sure this got seen by all that are using them. i use the tmz and know there is a lot of people on here using there bullets and wanted to help out. there has been problems with loading and groups and this may be the cause check you bullets and see go to web site to see pictures.
CUSTOMER ALERT
It has come to our attention that a small quantity of Barnes .50 caliber Spit-Fire MZ and Spit-Fire TMZ Muzzleloader bullets were packaged with an incorrect plastic sabot. The products affected are as follows:
Product Number Description
45121 .50 Cal 245-grain Spit-Fire MZ 15 pack
45142 .50 Cal 245-grain Spit-Fire MZ 24 pack
45128 .50 Cal 285-grain Spit-Fire MZ 15 pack
45154 .50 Cal 285-grain Spit-Fire MZ 24 pack
Product Number Description
45172 .50 Cal 250-grain Spit-Fire TMZ 15 pack
45180 .50 Cal 250-grain Spit-Fire TMZ 24 pack
45175 .50 Cal 290-grain Spit-Fire TMZ 15 pack
45190 .50 Cal 290-grain Spit-Fire TMZ 24 pack
This notice does not affect users of Barnes .45 or .54 caliber Muzzleloader bullets. Nor does it affect users of the Barnes .50 caliber Expander MZ bullets that are packaged with black sabots.
The Barnes Spit-Fire MZ and Spit-Fire TMZ bullets have a boattail base; 0.90” long yellow sabots, specially designed to fit this boattail base are normally packaged with these bullets. We have discovered that some bullets were packaged with a 0.98” – long yellow sabot, that does not properly fit the boattail base of these bullets. See the differences in the photo below.
Use of the incorrect sabot is not a safety issue; however, it may affect bullet accuracy. Furthermore, since the petals of the incorrect sabot are longer than standard, they may interfere with the proper use of the Barnes Muzzleloader Aligner Tool.
We ask that customers check the length of the yellow sabots in their .50 caliber Spit-Fire MZ and Spit-Fire TMZ packages. This can be done with a pair of calipers, or even a ruler or tape measure. If the sabots measure 0.90” long (about half way between 7/8” and 15/16”) the sabots are fine and no further action is necessary. If the sabots measure 0.98” long (just under 1”), then contact Barnes’ Customer Service Department for replacement sabots that will be supplied free of charge.
Barnes’ Customer Service Department can be reached toll free at 1-800-574-9200, or at email@barnesbullets.com. Please provide the following information:
> Name
> Address
> Phone Number
> Product Number
> Quantity of Packages Affected
> Store Name Where Purchased
Barnes deeply regrets any inconvenience this issue may have caused our customers. We are working with our sabot supplier to ensure such an error never happens again, and we appreciate your continued support.