I would like some help understanding sabots.
I've used only factory sabot/bullet combinations over the years. I've found T/C and Hornady load with a lot less ramrod force than Barnes or Knight. The bullets should be the same diameter, so are the sabots the big difference?
If I wanted to "roll my own" combination to match a Hornady 300 gr XTP what sabot should I pick? And if I find a tighter combination is better, can I just switch sabots?
I'm thinking it might be more economical for me to buy a variety of sabots, and some bullets of a style I like, then experiment to find the load the rifle likes. It would be cheaper to end up with a bag ot two of sabots that didn't work than to end up with a few boxes of factory combinations that don't work.
Right now I'm testing a new Knight Disc rifle, and it seem to be the exception to the rule on what it likes. I tried Barnes Expanders, Barnes SpitFires,T/C shockwaves, and Hornady XTPs. So far the best groups are with the easier loading combinations (T/C & Hornady). I bought a box of Hornady 240 gr XTPs,and a box of 300 gr XTPs to see which weight it prefers. I'll go with the weight it likes best, but I'd prefer Barnesbullets for deer hunting. If it likes the looser fitting combination, can I buy sabots to make the Barnes bullets load easier like the Hornady combinations?

wabi,Some of us that like to shoot quite a bit order sabots from both Harvester and MPP, and get a selection of the different petal thickness so we can find a combination that the gun likes and will load easy enough for hunting, while being aware that to loose will not shoot good. Lee

Lee,
This new Knight rifle has me puzzled so far. I've owned a bunch of inlines over the years and most of them shot the best groups with tight loading combinations (Barnes or Knight). This rifle shot a 4" group @ 50 yards with Barnes, but a 1¼" group with T/C shockwaves, and printed the only two Hornady 300 gr XTPs I had with me ½" apart.
I plan to do some shooting this weekend to see if I can tell if it has a preference for light or heavy bullets. I will probably try some heavier powder charges, too. I was shooting 100 grains of T-7 last trip to the range, but I'd like to try 110 & 120. I may try some Pyrodex R/S in it, too.

sabots are made to do a number of jobs with a number of different projectiles. They can handle .400, .429-.430, .451-.452, and .457-.458 in just the .50 caliber rifle alone. Then they are also made according to the kind of powder charge you want to shoot. There are standard sabots and high pressure sabots for those that like to push the powder to the. They also come in many thicknesses.

Harvester makes a crushed rib sabot that I like, and is easy to load in most all rifles. They also make the standard and high pressure sabot. Not to mention the length of the petal on the sabot depending on the kind of powder you want to shoot.

MMP makes a number of different sabots for different companies. They make the Knight sabots and I think the Nosler as well, but would not swear to that. They do make the blue 10mm sabots such as those you find in the 200 grain shockwaves, and for those that like to shoot the 200 grain 10mm XTPs. Then the green sabots are the .430 caliber for the .44 caliber projectiles. The Black sabots are the .45 caliber that come in .452, and the orange sabots are for the .457 45 caliber for projectiles that you might shoot out of the 45/70 Government and some of the Nosler projectiles. MMP also makes a couple thicknesses of sabots. The HPH-12 is their standard sabot. The HPH-24 is the thin sabots. And they make some three petal for easy loading. Sabotloader is much more up on the sabot end of all of this..

You're right Cay...

I bought a couple bags of MMP-12s and MMP-24s...Also bought some Hornady .451 250gr XTPs and 300gr XTPs....I had high hopes, but my gun just didn't like either of these....It would have been nice if this would have worked....

For years I shot 100 grs of Pyrodex R-S or Goex FFF and a 300 gr Barnes (gun didn't like the 250 Barnes either)...

I changed to a 250 T/C Shockwave (didn't like Hornady's, cause the sabots were different, didn't like 300s)...and 90 grains of Goex or Pyrodex...

Its funny, I've shot flintlocks for over 30 years, inlines for 10 or so, to me, its easier to work up a good load for a flinter than an inline...

I'd rather tune a traditional rifle any day of the week. They tune in faster, and they are easier to clean.

cayugad,,your are right, sometime I wonder if going back to one of the 54 cal renagade or Hawken rifles in my closet would be wise. Lee

wabi,the new plastic and some design work on the sabots and process used to make them have improved them more than most know. Lee

Exactly what I do. I have a collection of MMP Short Black, MMP 12, 24 and the HPH 3Petal EZ from MMP here: http://www.mmpsabots.com/

I also have several packages of Crushed Rib sabots, I buy them for $5 for 50 at MidSouth Shooters supply:

http://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/item.asp?sku=00072H15045BR

I buy bulk 300g Hornady XTP Mag at Mid South:

http://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/item.asp?sku=0000345235

and I buy 300g SpeerGold Dot from Mid South (only $13 for 50!):

http://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/item.asp?sku=000214485


I also buy my Nosler Partition HG bullets from them:

http://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/item.asp?sku=0011545350

and I also buy my new bullet for my Savage 10ML from them, the Parker BE:

http://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/item.asp?sku=00139A1823

Now, if you get a user account on their Web Site, you can save all these links in a "Wish List", when you place an Order, do NOT order from the Wish List, since that takes it off there, but just open the item and Add to Cart. I have made my wish list visible to everyone, just Seach for Chap as my first name and Gleason as my last name. Best of Wishes in finding your "dialed-in load". Chap

Now, if you get a user account on their Web Site, you can save all these links in a "Wish List", when you place an Order, do NOT order from the Wish List, since that takes it off there, but just open the item and Add to Cart. I have made my wish list visible to everyone, just Seach for Chap as my first name and Gleason as my last name. Best of Wishes in finding your "dialed-in load". Chap

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Gee Chap; I thought it was my purchases of the Omega, several scopes and most of the sabots and bullets that I buy that was keeping Midsouth in business. I did stray off the beaten path when it came to the Knight KRB7. Found it for less elsewhere. Midsouth usually has the best price on almost everything.