Back to Rock Pit...

[sabotloader]

Got to head back to the Rock Pit again this morning. I really wanted to get more familiar with the 45 DISC Extreme. I really was not satisfied with the results of the outing the other day other than the fun part at the end shooting clay pigeons.

I decided on a somewhat differt approach to my testing today, although - I really wish i had grabbed the chrono.

The primary test today was to see which sabot might perform the best with the different bullets that i was using. Either the Harvest smooth Light Blue or the MMP Light Tan - both in the .40/45 variety. It should be noted that the MMP Light Tan is not listed as a HPH sabot it is listed back in the regular sabot section. In the package on the suggested loads it suggests that with a 170-180 grain bullet or with a 200 grain bullet - the loads may be 60/70 or 80 grains. To me in the modern inline ML these are really light loads. The advent of the high performance SST/SW, Barnes, Lehigh and even the XTP - you will shoot greater capacity loads than listed on the package.

I was surprised that the MMP did shoot as well as it did considering that was was overcharging the sabot. I do not believe I got a sabot failure all day although sabot stress could help explain some of 'out of group' shots but mostly I truly believe they were more my fault than the sabots.

Here is a comparison picture of the sabot. I think you can see the stress cuts that are in the cups of the MMP sabots. They were definitely stressed.



This single picture might show it better...



A second test was to see if i could tighten the groups up a bit from th other day.

You can see I shot five different targets, using the Harvester and the MMP. I also made a change in the powder charge due to the grouping in the first target.

I started with the Hornady 200 grain XTP as it has always been an excellent shooter for me from any of my 50 cals. I started again with 120 grains of T7-2f, because of my thinking I need to shoot that stiff a load to get the Lehigh's to perform from a 1/30 twist. Well, I hated the spread in group #1, with both sabots. I also have to admit shot numger three of any group really gave me fits today as I would get a decent two shot group and then screw up #3 - Semi - I am sure has a rule for that. I hope you can see what I am trying to show with the different shots and different sabots.

After group#1 I decided maybe I would not force feed it and reduced the load to 110 grains. Well that seem to be what it might need as the next group of XTP's tightened up quite a bit (except for the flyers which really could be me and probably is. I continued to use 110 for all the rest of the shots.

You can see the rest of the groups and how they developed. But what I really want to point out is the Lehigh's the recuction of powder really helped them and I really thought that it would have the opposite effect in the slow twist of the Knight bore. This is where I really wished I had the chrono - I would really have liked to have a velocity read out on them. If it were a 50 cal I could give a real good estimate, but these 45's are an all new ball game for me.

Here is the target from todays session...

[Semisane]

Now you went and got me all confused Sabotloader. Are all of the shots in the upper left hand target Lehighs?

[Old/New]

Good report. Lower r/h target shows some good shooting and a good load combo.

[sabotloader]

Semisane

Ah Geez!.... shoot - yes those are the Lehigh's - I'll fix it right now...

thanks...

[Semisane]

Well those Lehighs in Harvester sabots really stacked in there nicely. I'll be trying them in my .45 Renegade on my next range session. Don't know if that will be next week end though. They're predicting 95 degrees for Friday & Saturday. Kinda` takes the fun out of shooting.

[Grouse45]

WOW....The first three shots with the Lehigh and the Harvester sabot is AWESOME. That's a big change from your last range visit with them. Great shooting.

The 200grn XTP with an MMP sabot is doing a fine job as well. We actually did a little test with that bullet against a 195grn barnes. At low velocities on Deer the XTP did a far better job on game then the 195grn Barnes. All Deer were shot with two 777 pellets.

I know your not a big fan of XTP'S but they do a great job here in PA.

[hunting junkie]

Nice groups,all of them.Good proof that it might take a different sabot as well.

[bronko22000]

Sabot - The Lehighs and the Gold Dots both show a lot of promise. I am surprised the XTPs didn't shoot better for you.
Looking at the sabots, it would appear that the harvesters would provide a better gas seal due to not tearing like the MMPs resulting in more consistant accuracy.
Have you tried different powders?
Anyhow - good report.

[oldsmellhound]

Nice shooting! I've used the same 2 sabots with the 200 grain XTP and I get noticeably better accuracy with the Harvestor light blues. I don't know if the MMP's are being stressed or not, causing the difference, but for whatever reason, the Harvestors seem to shoot better, especially with higher powder charges. The 200 XTP I've seen is very effective over a wide range of velocities. The Lehigh's look like they have promise too.

I'd love to see the velocities you are getting (if you remember the chrono next time) - I don't own one, and I'm constantly estimating the velocities I'm getting out of my .45.