**Range Report** I found my new sabot for the Barnes T-EZ

[SWThomas]

I went to the range today on a quest to find a better sabot to use with the 250g Barnes T-EZ. I had tried the 290g T-EZ out of my Encore Endeavor and it grouped pretty well. And it performed great on a hog I killed not too long ago. I switched to the 250g for a little more added distance and because it's pretty much all I need for deer and hogs. I also purchased some 250g Barnes TMZ's and gave them a go while I was at it.

Here's the target I testing these bullets on today...




First I tried 3 of the 250g Barnes TMZ's with their supplied sabots. The group was acceptable under my standards but still not quite the accuracy I was searching for...


Next I tried the 250g Barnes T-EZ with it's supplied sabot...


Then I started playing with sabots a little. Chuck from Modern Muzzleloaders had recommended the MMP HPH12 and it turned out that he was absolutely right. This sabot grouped great and was the best out of the ones I tried. I think I rushed the third shot a little otherwise I feel it would have been with the other two. These sabots were very tight...


I don't know why but the picture rotated itself when I uploaded it to photobucket...


I was very satisfied with the results of the HPH12 but I figured I'd give the others a try anyway. Next I tired the Harvester Black EZ Load sabot. This sabot loaded pretty loose and I didn't really expect much...


Then I tried the MMP HPH24. This sabot also loaded loose. Again, the picture is rotated. Sorry...


I'm glad I tried the others just to see what they would do. And it turns out that the Harvester sabots grouped great out ofJim's Savage with the 250g Hornaday XTP's. So I gave them to him.

All of these shots were fired at 100 yards out of my TC Encore Endeavor with 120 volumetric grains of BH209 and CCI 209M primers. I fire my shots from a bench using only a sand bag as a rest. I don't like using any kind of vice or rest accessories because I'm not going to hunt that way. I swabbed the bore clean and cleaned the breech plug in between every shot to get the bore as close to hunting conditions as possible. I also fired a fouling primer before each load.

[TNHagies]

That was a quick $25 bucks

Looks like the 12s are the ones. Glad to hear you found your pet load. You should be set.

[hunting junkie]

Nice group.That cleaning routine must take all day.

[jbar174]

Those 12's seat really well apparently with the BH for a great load.....good shootin'.

[SWThomas]

ORIGINAL: hunting junkie

Nice group.That cleaning routine must take all day.

It sure does. But I don't mind because I'd rather know exactly where that first shot is going to go when I'm sighted in on an animal. It can be several inches off without swabbing.

[Grouse45]

ORIGINAL: SWThomas
It can be several inches off without swabbing.

I would send that gun back. Or you mighthave something wrong with scope or bases. Let Chuck check it out for you in Crossville if you take it.

[MountainDevil54]

a couple more cans of bh209 and you will almost be done.

[gleason.chapman]

ORIGINAL: SWThomas

I went to the range today on a quest to find a better sabot to use with the 250g Barnes T-EZ. I had tried the 290g T-EZ out of my Encore Endeavor and it grouped pretty well. And it performed great on a hog I killed not too long ago. I switched to the 250g for a little more added distance and because it's pretty much all I need for deer and hogs. I also purchased some 250g Barnes TMZ's and gave them a go while I was at it.

Here's the target I testing these bullets on today...




First I tried 3 of the 250g Barnes TMZ's with their supplied sabots. The group was acceptable under my standards but still not quite the accuracy I was searching for...


Next I tried the 250g Barnes T-EZ with it's supplied sabot...


Then I started playing with sabots a little. Chuck from Modern Muzzleloaders had recommended the MMP HPH12 and it turned out that he was absolutely right. This sabot grouped great and was the best out of the ones I tried. I think I rushed the third shot a little otherwise I feel it would have been with the other two. These sabots were very tight...


I don't know why but the picture rotated itself when I uploaded it to photobucket...


I was very satisfied with the results of the HPH12 but I figured I'd give the others a try anyway. Next I tired the Harvester Black EZ Load sabot. This sabot loaded pretty loose and I didn't really expect much...


Then I tried the MMP HPH24. This sabot also loaded loose. Again, the picture is rotated. Sorry...


I'm glad I tried the others just to see what they would do. And it turns out that the Harvester sabots grouped great out ofJim's Savage with the 250g Hornaday XTP's. So I gave them to him.

All of these shots were fired at 100 yards out of my TC Encore Endeavor with 120 volumetric grains of BH209 and CCI 209M primers. I fire my shots from a bench using only a sand bag as a rest. I don't like using any kind of vice or rest accessories because I'm not going to hunt that way. I swabbed the bore clean and cleaned the breech plug in between every shot to get the bore as close to hunting conditions as possible. I also fired a fouling primer before each load.

Excellent report SW, when you say you cleaned the breech plug in between every shot do you mean every group of three or every shot? I think you have your hunting load, that 4th group with the mmp12 looks very nice, and you know what the Barnes 6 petals look like on game.
Best Wishes, you are "dialed in",
Chap

[LKNCHOPPERS]

I'm a bit surprised to see such a big group using the Barnes Sabots, I use them and get very good groups in my Triumph. I also use Harvester CR Black Sabots in my lady's Triumph and the group is great there too, allat 100 yards. We use the 250 grain TEZ w/777 100grains of pellets.

[cayugad]

That is a monster powerful load you have there. Any hog takes a hit from that it will be lights out. Good luck hog hunting..