ORIGINAL: Hoosier_Hunter1963
Ok..I know I know. I am going to get as many different answers as responders to this post. That's okay.
I have a CVA Optima Pro - .50 cal. I have had it for a couple years and so far I have only shot Powerbelts through it. It shoots them fine. I have only fired it at 2 deer and they both tasted fine.
2 shots, 2 kills.
After reading this forumn, I have heard the same story about PB performance issues many times from many posters. I shoot the 295gr. with 100 gr. Pyrodex Pellets.
I am thinking of switching to another Sabot this year. Trying to decide what one to choose from and then if I want to shoot it with 100 or 150 gr. of Pyrodex.
My thoughts are Hornady 300gr. ssts with 150gr. Pyrodex. The Barnes also looked like it might work. Of course then a hunting friend says that "Dead Center" is the best...
Any thoughts or ideas? I simply want something I can shoot ACCURATELY out to 150 yards that will BANG/FLOP a whitetail when placed properly.
My choice would be a 300g Nosler Partition HG Protected Point with a Crushed Rib sabot, but I would buy some MMP HPH-24 and some EZ glides and some HPH-12 in case the crushed rib it too loose. 2nd choice is Speer Gold Dot 300g. Since you mentoned 150 yards look at the Parker Ballistic Extreme in 275g and read this thread:
http://www.the-gleasons.com/Parker%20BE%20TC%20SW%20shot%20into%20ballistic%20 gel.pdf
I would stay away from the SW 250, 300g is OK because as you will see in the ballistic jel above >>sometimes<< they fragment.If ya just gotta shoot them shoot the bonded ones in 250g. A lot of folks love them, and they are one accurate bullet. I would not shoot an XTP because the jackets separate sometimes.Read some articles on bullet penetration and expansion, like this:
http://www.snipersparadise.com/tsmag/July03/july03.htm
Read Chuck Hawks site on bullet, some themes emerge, like Barnes bullets. Many of the Pro love them why? The are accurate as heck and expand like pictue perfect and are excellent.Chap Gleason