ORIGINAL: Semisane
Did a couple of load comparisons with the Lyman Mustangin my last range session.
In one, I fired twofive-shot groups of thesame bullet and powder- a300 grainHornady HP/XTP over 100 grains volumeof Triple 7 FFG with a CCI 209 primer. O*****up was firedwith Harvester Crush Rib sabots, and onewith MMP HPH-24 sabots. All powder charges were weighed at 77.8 grain weight. Range was 50 yards from a bench.
You can see the results in the targetsbelow.
Velocitiesin both groupswere very close, and very consistent. The Harvester had a low velocity of 1726 fps and a high of 1754.The MMP had a low of 1709 and a high of 1752.
The Harvester group was 1 5/8 inches center to center, with four of the shots into 3/4".The MMP group was 3 1/2 inches withfour into 1 5/8".
Amazing what a little thing like a different sabot can do.
Semisane, Very nice shooting. Good you weighed your charges. That makes a big difference. Sabots make a >>>HUGE<<< difference. These are 300g Hornday SSTs, with supplied sabot,shot from a Savage 10ML using 44g of AA 5744 smokeless, Federal Primer, shot at 92.5 yards off sand bags:
This is a TC ShockWave with supplied Sabot, 300g, same primer, same load, shot at 92.5 off sand bags on the same day (only shot 10 shots that day--Last Saturday).
The bullets are the same made by Hornady 300g. Powder same charge, powder was weighted, weighing makes a huge difference also with smokeless I know that from using lee Dippers, will never again just use the dippers. For the Hornady the sabot went down the barrel with "about the right pressure", not too hard, not too soft. The TC SW, it was very difficult to get the bullet loaded. I had to use 2 hands and really force it.
"Tighter the load, the tighter the group is what they say over on Doug's Savage ML Board".
That statement is true based on my experience with my gun. I do use Crushed rib in my Omega and Knight and TC FL and I get good accuracy with those sabots. I am buying 1 package each of MMP #12, #24, 3petal EZ to test the SST/SW with each of these, because you cannot gaurantee a bullet seller will use the same sabot year to year. Once you get an accurate load/bullet/sabot/primer combination write it down and stick with it, but you must know exactly the components of the load. I name my picture of each target my load, for example my Picture name was TC_ShockWave_300g_2007_06_02_AA_5744_44g_supplied_ sabot_Federal209a_92 yards.jpg.
In this way I know exactly what I shot. I place these under the "Savage Folder".
I believe sabotsmake more difference than bullet type or powder type. I don't believe Primer makes that much difference, as long as it is hot enough. This is what I have found, I am not say everyone will find this with their gun, they are are individuals just like we are. I would say
"Sabots make a HUGE difference is grouping/accuracy therefore shot placement, therefore quick killing potential, which is what we are all looking for."
Chap Gleason