Sabots in a Slow Twist

[Semisane]

A couple of months ago I picked up some Harvester H5445R sabots in Cabala's bargain cave. Now I don't have a .54 caliber rifle with a rate of twist suitable for sabots, but for $1.50 I just couldn't let that lonesome pack of sabots sit there on the shelf.

Anyway, just for kicks during my Sunday morning shooting session with the .54 Great Plains flintlock I decided to give those sabots a try in the gun's 1:60 twist. I loaded them with .452/250 grain Hornady XPTs. These bullets are 0.664 in length and were the shortest .45 caliber bullets I had in the bullet bag.

I shot only five of them at fifty yards (target below). The group wasn't real tight, but I was a little surprised at how well they did do. I may have to play around with them again with different powder charges and see what happens.

Have any of you guys tried sabot loads in a slow twist barrel?

[Grouse45]

Looks like a Dead Deer to me.

[cayugad]

I tried sabots in a couple of my slow twist barrels. Nothing to write home about but they did shoot.

[lemoyne]

Semi, I shoot 54/50 sabot and a widner 50 cal 300 and [home hollow pointed 270 gr bullet in a 1/48 barrel and get 1.5 to two inch groups. The larger diameter bullet does not require quite as much twist, I use 140 gr cause thats what works. If you want a few to play with PM me. Lee

[Semisane]

Thanks much for the offer Lee. It just wouldn't be worth the postage.

I'd probably never get serious about shooting them. I carry the .54 round ball guns when the hunting situation is going to be 100 yards or less, and balls are just fine for that.