ORIGINAL: fusion
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???
Been there done taht.Switch out your MMP Orangel to Black Crushed Rib and keep the BO, I shoot them in a Savage with 4198, which is harder to ignite that 5744. If you like the Barnes MZ, buy a box of Barnes TSX 45/70 bullet, which are .458 diameter, I use a CR sabot also with it. Same big gapping hollowpoint as MZ but .458 diameter not .452 which is .006 looser. I think you will like that bullet.
The following was shot this past summer in very hot weather with 44g of 5744, black crushed rib and the 45843 Barnes TSX bullet, look at the group, not the hitting the exact center, that is just a scope adjustment. 100 yards.
Here is the bullet on Mid south:
https://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/item.asp?sku=0003545843
here is the CR sabot:
https://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/item.asp?sku=00072H15045BR
note, the CR sabot is for .452 diameter bullets, but it works in the .458 Barnes and other 45/70 bullets also, no problem. In fact it is just right tight.
here is another great bullet, Speer Gold Dot 300g:
https://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/item.asp?sku=000213974
If your haviing touble with lung shot and deer recovery (It is a big deal to me.) recommend one of the following shots to anchor a deer:
brisket shot
neck joins body
high shoulder
I hunt from tree stands on small properties with LOTS of deer and have to anchor the deer right there. I want shoot thru, I want excellent blood trail and I want dead right there or within 20 or 30 yards. Barnes do it (I think the BO many be a bit too hard on close shots, that is conclusion I am coming to). MZ and TSX 45843 Flat Nose is just right to me--biug hollow point with great expasion and great bone breaking capability. Nosler Partitions do this:
https://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/item.asp?sku=0011545350
also the Gold Dots do it.
Chap
