Congrats on making some smoke at the range!

I would say you are about there with 80gr 777 FFFG and the 385 Hornady with 2" grouping at 100 yards. Great shooting! That will make a an excellent and powerful hunting combo. I would not change a thing for that particular load even if 70 grains shoots the same. I would rather have the velocity and tolerate a little more recoil.

Remember, you won't be sosensitive to the 80gr charge in a single shothunting situation. Perhaps you were getting some rangefatigue and getting sensitive to the increased recoil? Happens to everyone.

The Hornady Great Plains 385gr is one conical I can get to shoot well in every 50 cal I own with a rifling of 1:48 or faster. It really does an excellent job on deer and should prove very well on hogs. Elk & Bear for that matter.

Working up loads at the range can be very spendy indeed in both time and money. That is why it's important to take the time so you carefully figure out what shoots the best without using up more supplies than you have to.

Sabot shooting can take some additional tinkering around to find what loads the easiest and still shoots the best.

I'm not surprised that the 300gr shockwave (hornady sst) was tough loading. They are, but I can assure you the 300gr SST does a number on game. But I would also not give up on the SST though. Try a 250gr. They load much easier and should certainly work on deer and hogs.The SST is one of the best performing projectiles I've ever used on game.

Also, when sabot's get cold they get much harder to load. This is where the range rod really shines. I also use a short starter with a jag for spire points if it's cold out and the sabot's get finicky to start.

Regards,

Tahquamenon