I must be doing something wrong - loading sabots
 

I'm doing something wrong. When shooting my new SSB sabots I swabbed the barrel between shots a few times with a patch with alcohol/windshield washing fluid they got very hard to load. I shot a couple with the swab method, and then bravely decided to try and not swabbing and they load really easy. Am I doing something wrong with my swabbing? I'll run the wet patch down the barrel and then a couple of dry patches. I think it's dry, the last patch looks dry.

RE: I must be doing something wrong - loading sabots
 

Then run a lubed patch down the barrel, fire a cap, then load. [ I use TC Bore Butter ]

RE: I must be doing something wrong - loading sabots
 

Nope.. you're fine. What your experiencing is that when the barrel is real clean and dry you get that plastic trying to engage the rifling on the way down. Next time you load on a swabbed barrel wet the outside of the sabot with spit. Just roll the sabot outside in your mouth and get it wet. That little amount of water will be gone before it gets to the powder and will help it load a little easier.

After you have fowled the barrel there is a buildup of fowling in there that if you do not swab acts as almost a lube of sorts. The problem is if you let that build up it is more of a mess to get out, and a it closes in the barrel will make loading harder. I often times swab every third shot depending on the sabot and bullet. The SSB's by Buffalo are one that I can load about three before I have to swab.

RE: I must be doing something wrong - loading sabots
 

I'm not a sabot guy, but I talked with a T/C technician and he strongly recommended against putting lubes like bore butter on sabots. Hey, whatever works.

RE: I must be doing something wrong - loading sabots
 

I concur with cayugad, your doing it fine just nature of the beast if you will.

RE: I must be doing something wrong - loading sabots
 

I concur with Uncle Norby. Before I knew better, tried using bore butter to make sabots go down the barrel easier. Not good. Has a big effect on point of impact and SD of velocity. I do know one guy, however, that does it every time (even lubes the barrel before the first shot) - like I do with lead conicals - and claims fairly good groups - says consistency of the lube is the key . . . .

Like Cayugad, I use a little saliva.

RE: I must be doing something wrong - loading sabots
 

It really depends upon the barrel, my 54 likes a lubed barrel too group the first and second shot at the same point at 100. Dry barrel and the second shot would be 7" apart. Do it for five days and I had two nice groups 7"s apart. I was using Wonder Lube, but whatever should work.

You guys are right, some like it dry, some like it wet, some like it slimey, they all are different, you just have to find what works for you!

Don't be afraid to try something different, just be safe!

RE: I must be doing something wrong - loading sabots
 

I'll try the spit idea - I'm sure it'll work. By the way, those Buffalo sabots sure shoot good. Almost unbelieveable on how well they group - I had two go thru the same hole. Baldman and I are going to try and get our local shop (45 mi away one way) to carry them.
Thanks again for your advice - what a great resource this place is.

RE: I must be doing something wrong - loading sabots
 

the spit-sabot works fine - I do it too.

But usually I just run both sides of a spit-patch after firing and then charge & load without a dry patch - this has the same affect on loading and it does not affect the powder due to the heat of the just fired barrel.

RE: I must be doing something wrong - loading sabots
 

You know thats the reason I don't use your mix. The alcohol causes everything to dry so quick, and tough loading. Use No13 cleaner and it at least won't make so touch unless you dry it out real good.

RE: I must be doing something wrong - loading sabots
 

I used to use the T/C #13 but has some bad experiences with it when not using anything but a 209 primer. That was the reason I went to the alcohol windshield mix... because it drys so fast. I was shooting today and was using Clean Shot. I had some left over from about six years ago. I shot what had to be over 30 shots and only had to swab three or four times I think.

That is one reason I want to really try some of that Black Mag3. Also on my next powder order I am going to get some more Pinnacle.

RE: I must be doing something wrong - loading sabots
 

Yea, I can see that. I swab with it then two more patches. At that point if you don't load it right away, you will have the same hard loading like youdo with your alcohal mix.

RE: I must be doing something wrong - loading sabots
 

Yep... when some of that cleaning solvent gets burnt, it can cause sticky bore walls ... making loading the next sabot even more difficult. Keep your swabbing agent mild & simple. Really... all you need is a mix of water & alcohol for best results with inlines (no hang/misfires).

RE: I must be doing something wrong - loading sabots
 

Never had any problems with the #13 unless I used to much of the stuff. If you know you did you can cure it quick with shooting a cap another dry patch and a nipple picking. One thing I have done for years but not lately is actually clean my rifles with #13 instead of the hot water in the sink stink thing and it worked fine. Wife was happy I was doing it too....

Course fouling seems to hold up my sabots more than anything the last inch or two being the worst. I find that if I am on the range shooting a wet followed by two dry cleaning works quite well. Some of the sabots load hard always have always will. I now buy sabots in bulk and use pistol bullets that are the right size for them.

Another though is whatever you are loading may be making some hard fouling and a pass or two with the brush may help. It never hurts.

RE: I must be doing something wrong - loading sabots
 

Bore brush is the best solution to the crud ring near the breechplug. Moist patches help too.

RE: I must be doing something wrong - loading sabots
 

i would resort to pre-lubed cleaning patches from TC the windshield fluid doesnt sound liek a good solution. or bore butter would work also. glad to be of any assistance.

RE: I must be doing something wrong - loading sabots
 

We are talking sabots here, not lead conicals. Bore butter and other lubes will lend an element of inconsistency in the loading and shooting of sabot projectiles.