New to the forum, here goes.
I purchased a Savage 10ML-11 last year. I used the reccomended load, Hornady 300gr XTP-non mag, short MMP black sabot, 5744 powder. The load was very accurate and reliable in the gun, but after taking three deer with it I was not happy with terminal performance of the bullet, mainy expansion and lack of blood trail. I had two of the shots double lungers with little to no blood to follow. So this year I tried switching to Barnes MZ expanders 300grain, with sabot provided HPH-12 MMP. This load basically fell down the barrel with no resistance which in turn meant poor grouping. So .451 bullets are not an option. I then switched to Randy Wakemans pet load, Barnes BO with MMP orange sabot. Sighted in on a nice fall day at 100yds with a sub 1 inch group (load was loose fitting as well), cool I'm ready to go. Well last week was our ML season here in NY and I had some big problems. Primer would fire and Bullet would fall out the Barrel with no powder ignition. Research tells me that smokeless powder needs a tight preasure seal to ignite. My plan is to try some other sabots with the .458 BO but also do a land to land measurement of the inside bore diameter. Savage says should fall between .498-.503. Any other ideas out there???