Sabot loading question?

stratofisher1 · 05-20-2006, 10:19 PM

Just burned through a box of the Buffalo SSB 375 grain sabots. Was shooting 90 grains of 777 and getting velocities ranging from 1680-1810 fps. Wanted to try and figure out if there is a trick to getting Sabots to load without messing them up. On a clean barrell I could get them to slide without deforming the tip. I had some issues after a couple of shots and had difficulty getting the sabots to load without deforming the bullet. I managed some 3" groups at 50 yds, but that was about the best I could get. I tried my 460 NE conicals and they group right up at 1". Just wondering if there are any sabot tricks out there to help with loading these bad boys. When I could load them without messing up the tip the accuracy was great. If I had to push hard you could count on the bullet going wild. Just a little frustrated by the whole issue. I may be sticking with the 460's if I can't get these SSB's to group.

Omegalover · 05-21-2006, 05:16 AM

Many manufacturer's sell a loading jag that is mated to fit their bullets so as not to deform them. If your manufacturer does not (sorry I have no experience with Buffalo SSBs) you may be able to sub in a loading jag from a different manufacturer or vendor and avoid the deformation problem.

There are several who sell them one should be close enough to the shape of your bullet to make it easier for you, just take a new round with you when you go to look.

Hope that helps ya out.

Triple Se7en · 05-21-2006, 08:26 AM

Hollow loading jags -- even hollow thread adapter jags will help. But the smartest move may be replacing those new tougher-loading S.S.B. plastic sabots with either Harvesters or MMP HPH 24s. Alot of stores sell Harvesters. The thin MMPs can be purchased at mmpsabots.com -- then asking for that particular one before ordering.... perhaps by calling their listed phone number.

cayugad · 05-21-2006, 08:45 AM

Quote:

Just burned through a box of the Buffalo SSB 375 grain sabots. Was shooting 90 grains of 777 and getting velocities ranging from 1680-1810 fps. Wanted to try and figure out if there is a trick to getting Sabots to load without messing them up. On a clean barrell I could get them to slide without deforming the tip. I had some issues after a couple of shots and had difficulty getting the sabots to load without deforming the bullet. I managed some 3" groups at 50 yds, but that was about the best I could get. I tried my 460 NE conicals and they group right up at 1". Just wondering if there are any sabot tricks out there to help with loading these bad boys. When I could load them without messing up the tip the accuracy was great. If I had to push hard you could count on the bullet going wild. Just a little frustrated by the whole issue. I may be sticking with the 460's if I can't get these SSB's to group.

First off.. you are swabbing the barrel clean between shots? I shoot the 375 grain SSB's all the time. I had heard that after I bought my life time supply they changed the sabots on them. The sabots I shoot are yellow in color and load like a dream.

Try using the loading jag tip made for Shockwaves. It will fit over the nose of the SSB and just leaves a small impression on the pure lead nose. Also whether this helps or not, I wet the sabot just a little with spit before I load it. I am sure all the water is gone before it reaches the powder charge. They slide right down the bore for me...

I also push them a little harder then 90 grains of Triple Se7en. I am shooting them ocassionally with 100 grains of Triple Se7en or 110 grains of Goex 3f. I get excellent results with them out of my Black Diamond XR and my White Ultra Magnum..

Good luck.

stratofisher1 · 05-21-2006, 09:23 AM

The SSB's that I have are the black ones, and they are a tough fit in the barrel. I have swabbed and wetted the sabots with poor results. I may try the MMP sabots and see if that works. I need something is not quite as tight of fit.

sabotloader · 05-21-2006, 10:08 AM

stratofisher1

I am only guessing... but from what Triple & says I would bet you have a bullet supplied with a MMP HPH-12 sabot. MMP now makes two varieties that are thinner - the HPH-24 (50/45) and the newer and thinner 3 petal EZ (50/45) sabot. The thinner 3 petal is not listed yet on the MMP site but by calling them you can get them. Might get a package of each and see what you gun prefers. I do not find where you list the type of you are using - but in the ML market that does make a difference because of the different sizes of bores between manufacturers. T7 also suggested Harvester and they also make two of the thinner sabots a standard black and a "crush rib" that allows easier loading.

http://www.mmpsabots.com/

good luck..

cayugad · 05-21-2006, 11:42 AM

Quote:

ORIGINAL: stratofisher1

The SSB's that I have are the black ones, and they are a tough fit in the barrel. I have swabbed and wetted the sabots with poor results. I may try the MMP sabots and see if that works. I need something is not quite as tight of fit.

It seems my best load with them was shooting 100 grains of Goex 2f and Winchester W209 primers out of my Black Diamond XR. This was last year at 100 yards. It was at the end of the day shooting. The rifle was filthy with fowling and I was beat up pretty bad from shooting large conicals all afternoon.

Anyway the rifle shot some real impressive groups that day with the 375 grain Buffalo SSB's and that's when I decided I really liked the big lead sabot idea.

Another Black Diamond XR shooter used them with 110 grains of Triple Se7en to harvest an elk with the spitzer point. He said they did a beautiful job of penetration and expansion...

I was curious about the color of the sabot after reading your post and checked my stock. You are correct, they are a black sabot. All the other Buffalo Bullet sabots I shoot are the yellow sabots, yet I have no problem loading them in any of my rifles. I am sure they are the older sabots before there was a change to them as I understand.

I've shot those crushed rib sabots and they sure seem to load easy.. they might be an idea like Sabotloader was saying.

mayguy · 05-22-2006, 04:04 PM

The 375 SSBs load pretty hard in my Omega, changing tothe HPH 24s makes loading much easier.

Dondo · 05-22-2006, 05:41 PM

Is there a difference between the Harvestor Crush Rib and the MMP HPH 24? Does one generally load easier than the other or is itmore a matter of just a different manufacturer?

Triple Se7en · 05-22-2006, 07:38 PM

Quote:

ORIGINAL: Dondo

Is there a difference between the Harvestor Crush Rib and the MMP HPH 24? Does one generally load easier than the other or is itmore a matter of just a different manufacturer?

In black 45/50, the HPH-24 and regular Harvesters load almost identical using the same bullet. The crush ribs loada tadeasier than either the Harvester regulars or HPH-24s.