I would like some help understanding sabots.
I've used only factory sabot/bullet combinations over the years. I've found T/C and Hornady load with a lot less ramrod force than Barnes or Knight. The bullets should be the same diameter, so are the sabots the big difference?
If I wanted to "roll my own" combination to match a Hornady 300 gr XTP what sabot should I pick? And if I find a tighter combination is better, can I just switch sabots?
I'm thinking it might be more economical for me to buy a variety of sabots, and some bullets of a style I like, then experiment to find the load the rifle likes. It would be cheaper to end up with a bag ot two of sabots that didn't work than to end up with a few boxes of factory combinations that don't work.
Right now I'm testing a new Knight Disc rifle, and it seem to be the exception to the rule on what it likes. I tried Barnes Expanders, Barnes SpitFires,T/C shockwaves, and Hornady XTPs. So far the best groups are with the easier loading combinations (T/C & Hornady). I bought a box of Hornady 240 gr XTPs,and a box of 300 gr XTPs to see which weight it prefers. I'll go with the weight it likes best, but I'd prefer Barnesbullets for deer hunting. If it likes the looser fitting combination, can I buy sabots to make the Barnes bullets load easier like the Hornady combinations?