Thank you all very much for the useful information. After reading a lot of posts, I nixed the idea of trying the sabots. I would like to stay with the Maxi-hunter, but I think the bullet is on the heavy side (435 grains) for deer. I see that Thompson Center makes a 360 grain Maxi-hunter. I think I might try that one also and experiment with lower powder charges.

Do you think the gun will be more accurate with the shorter lighter Maxi-hunter as opposed to the 435 grain M.H.? I would like to be able to shoot about 100 yards (if i can find an accurate enough load to to that) because the terrain I hunt is very open and longer shots are common. If I lower the powder charge, do you think my trajectory will be poor after about 75 yards (will the bullet drop too fast after that)?

Thanks, again,
Dave