A so so, or maybe, not so good , day at the range.

pluckit · 09-27-2011, 01:52 PM

I took the Traditions Deerhunter kit rifle to the range today to try out some new sabots and bullets I got.
The day seemed like it was going to be a good one as far as my shooting was concerned.

So I moved the target out to 100 yards.

Still not too bad. But then I tried a different sabot and bullet.

So I went back to the first bullet and sabot and shot this.

And this.

Things didn't seem to be getting better so just for kicks I tried a 180 grain, .44 cal., XTP.

Oh well, There's always another day.

Semisane · 09-27-2011, 02:06 PM

Some days seem to go like that Pluckit. That 240 grain XTP sure seems to have potential. You might try playing around with the charge a bit with that bullet.

But dang, it seems so out of balance to shoot a .429 bullet from a .54 bore. I think I would have to try some .452/300 grain XTPs or Deep Curls, or even some of the larger diameters like .475s or .500s.

lemoyne · 09-27-2011, 02:33 PM

Never did have a 54 that shot with less that 100gr,

pluckit · 09-27-2011, 03:08 PM

Don't you think that would be close to wasting powder in a 24 inch barrel?
If I could throw out shots number 1 and 3, on target #4, I would have an impressive group with that .44 caliber XTP, out of a 24 inch, .54 caliber barrel. But for the life of me, I couldn't figure out what was happening with that volley.

pluckit · 09-27-2011, 03:28 PM

(Semisane) But dang, it seems so out of balance to shoot a .429 bullet from a .54 bore. I think I would have to try some .452/300 grain XTPs or Deep Curls, or even some of the larger diameters like .475s or .500s.
Did you notice I was using a 180 grain, .44 caliber bullet, when shooting at target #6? After I took the first shot, I thought I might have something going, but to no avail.
And I did shoot some .452, 250 grain XTP's at target #3. I think that was one of my worst targets.

stripercrazy · 09-27-2011, 06:24 PM

target #4.......when I do that I allways wonder if I looked at the sights 2 different ways (open sights) 2--1 inch groups...5 shots...if you put target 5 over 4 you still have 2 groups....8 shots.....it can drive ya crazy lol

pluckit · 09-28-2011, 12:47 AM

I'm just going to figure that at 100 yards, if that paper was a deer the deer would be dead, with any of those shots with a broad side shot. So I'll have to move on to another rifle for now. The Vision still needs some attention before the season starts, and it is approaching fast.

Gm54-120 · 09-28-2011, 05:56 AM

ANY day shooting is still better than your best day at work.

Well except maybe the day Christmas bonuses are handed out.

My favorite fun load in a 54cal is the 225gr FTX. The sell by the 100 instead of 50 and are mild on the shoulder. You could use either 54x44 of 54x45. I prefer the 54x45 since the Harvester sabot is the one i usually use for my hotter hunting loads. The MMP 54x45 fits tighteer.

BTW the MMP/Barnes 54x50 sabot with a short 300gr like the 50-300gr DeepCurl/GoldDot shoots great and doesn't need much fps to smack the snot out of a deer. I know they work ok in a 1-38. They are really good though in a 1-28 twist. Im not sure how well they would work in a even slower twist.