lowtempguru
This years batch of 300 SST you literally have to stand on the range rod to load them
Here is my take on the situation - Hornady SST's (red tipped)
normally come with MMP sabots and MMP has made new strides in their sabots by moving to a tougher plastic (
providing less plastic fouling if you are suseptible to it)- so your new SST's
probably have the new HPH-12 sabot. This is the thicker variety of 50/.451-.452 sabot. If your sabot is black - check the bottom of your sabot if it has a stepped cup it is MMP if it is a smooth cup it is probably a Harvester
Thompson Center Shockwaves (yellow tipped)
usually came with Harvester sabots, but recently TC delt with MMP and did get some their thicker MMP-HPH-12 sabots - now that has all been rectified and the new packages have the newer and
thinner MMP-HPH-24 sabot. I would not doubt if they were still getting some Harvester sabots also.
If you want to continue to purchase Hornady SST's you have these options to try...
a) Pull the production sabots and replace them with MMP-HPH-24's or the current Harvester black 50cal .45/.452 sabot -
b) Next option is the current Harvester "Crush Rib" black sabot for 50 .451-.452 bullets. - I believe it is the thinnest sabot on the maket today.
But remember if you get to loose you will loose some velocity... My choice is to get a snug fitting sabot that provides accuracy and will work in the woods in all temps without using a short starter.
Hope this helps..
mike