.458 sabots in a 1:48 twist

wabi · 09-10-2007, 07:00 PM

Got my .50/.458 sabots today. The new Knight doesn't seem to like heavy bullets, so I thought I'd try them in the T/C NewEnglander (1:48 twist).
I went out to the range and still had a sheet of plywood at the 50 yard target with an old patch I'd stuck on it for an aiming point when I was shooting the shotgun yesterday.
I ran a couple patches downbore & snapped a couple #11 caps to clear the channel, then loaded up with 80 grains T-7 ffg and one of the new sabots holding a 350 grain cast bullet.
I had switched barrels yesterdayputting the shotgun barrel on the stock with the tang sight and put the origional rear sight back on the .50 barrelso I could use it in the camo stock. I wasn't certain where I'd be hitting, but had used the tang sight to get the rear sight close before I switched stocks.
Fired the first round and was good on elevation, but slightly left. Since this is a new load I didn't do any sight adjusting, I just ran a windex patch & dry patch downbore and reloaded and shot again, then repeated for a third shot.
Hmmmmm.......... looked promising!

Might as well try another shot

Then I had to push my luck and try for #5 - slight hangfire could be the reason

Still, not too bad for a load that shouldn't do that well in that barrel, and a set of aging eyes behind open sights.
Wouldn't be afraid to shoot at a deer with that rifle & load!

HuntAway · 09-10-2007, 07:21 PM

"Wouldn't be afraid to shoot at a deer with that rifle & load! "

I'd say not! I think it likes that load.

cayugad · 09-10-2007, 07:36 PM

What kind of powder and charge were you pushing them with? That is some good shooting.

Semisane · 09-10-2007, 07:46 PM

A success story for sure! Good load and good shooting.

wabi · 09-10-2007, 07:48 PM

80 grains T-7 ffg and one of the new sabots holding a 350 grain cast bullet.

Going to try them with Goex fffg next time out. Any suggestions on how much to put behind them?

cayugad · 09-10-2007, 08:00 PM

The reason I asked is I figured next time out, I would give some of the .457 423 grain (405 gr mold) all lead flat points and some orange Knight sabots a try in my flintlock. That would be a hoot if it shot them well. Even if it groups anywhere near as good as your New Englander at 50 yards. That would get a definite shot this deer season. So I will load them with 80 grains of Goex 3f. And if that don't work, I will try to duplex the load with some Triple Se7en.

thanks for the post and idea...

wabi · 09-10-2007, 08:28 PM

Sad to say I just traded for a new Knight Disc for deer hunting. With that performance from the old NewEnglander now I'm not so sure which rifle I'll use.[8D]
Probably leave the Knight scoped for fair-weather shooting, and keep the NewEnglander handy in case of rain or snow.
I learned a few years ago (the hard way) that scopes & snow don't mix. Had a T/C Omega I'd practiced enough with to be confidant out to 200 yards. First day of season it snowed hard. Had a decent buck @ 100-125 yards and I couldn't see anything but white through the scope! I came home and ordered a good set of Q/D bases & rings!!!!!!

sabotloader · 09-10-2007, 09:35 PM

wabi

The only thing I would caution you about.... T7-2f can be a bear to get ignition in a sidehammer in cold weather... we have had to switch to 3f and Noble #11 caps... then we get reliable ignition. The 3f and a little tapping on the side of the stock will get some powder out under the nipple... the 2f was to big for my Renegades, Hawkens, and even the GM barrel.

Course like they say every gun is different....