Bulk sabots and bulk bullets are far more affordable. I have not bought prepacked bullets with sabots for years. Since only 2 companies make ALL the sabots for various vendors, its not hard to get the sabot you like in bulk.

Chances are if you are shooting a prepacked bullet with sabot, you are using MMP brand sabots. The color may be different but its the same sabot. Barnes, T/C and Hornady all use MMP sabots with their prepacked bullets.

I would avoid 45ACP bullets for hunting. A ML produces far more fps than a 45ACP. Save them for fun shooting. Look for bullets made for highend 45 Long Colt or 454 Casull performance levels. Bullets made for 45/70 also work well in the right sabot.

They also make sabots for 44cal bullets. They are usually green in color. I would suggest using 44cal bullets of 240gr or more. A few of the lighter Barnes solid coppers under 240gr may be ok too. I typically get better accuracy with a 45cal bullet vs a smaller caliber bullet.