.357 sabot loads???
 

Hey all!

In Indiana, it has now become legal to shoot .357 cal bullets out of a ML for deer hunting. I have an uncle that is thinking about buying an Encore with a .45 cal barrel so that he can shoot the 357 (for novelty in my opinion). I am partial to using 44/45 cal sabots as they have performed well for years. I am concerned that my uncle may not be happy with the performance with such a light bullet and be unhappy when he discovers his 357 load is not legal in other states that he hunts (sure he could use a 45cal powerbelt, but would require hime to work a new load and resight ML everytime he went to a new state. Anybody use the small round and care to comment?

To promote discussion no PMs please.

RE: .357 sabot loads???
 

IMO your uncle would be better served to stay away from the .45 caliber and get a .50 caliber. If he wants to shoot light weight projectiles have him look at the 200 grain Shockwave or the 200 grain 10mm XTPs. I really do not understand why someone wants to decrease the size of the projectile. The little benefit you will gain in the over all speed would be much more (again IMO) out weighted in the down range energy the large caliber will give. Years back, there was comments that the .45 caliber was harder to tune in. I could not say this is true as I do not own one. Again, only telling what I read. I really do not see the advantage of them. Some States out west do not allow them for elk hunting, and while the bullet selection for the .45 caliber has greatly improved, I still think the .50 caliber has a much better selection.

RE: .357 sabot loads???
 

If .50 Cal is legal, why go to .357 in a ,45 Cal?

RE: .357 sabot loads???
 

While I agree that a 50 is better and I will even say that a 54 is best for some things [I am fond of my system one with the 54 barrel and a purple sabot and a 50 cal bullet 300gr for deer and 350 for elk and bear] I do have a friend that takes deer every year with a 45 shooting a sabot and 180 gr .357 bullet so it does work, he shoots nice groups with 90 grs of RS;he also has a bad shoulder and can not stand much recoil. Lee