Range Experiment - Same Load / Six Different Sabots
 

This is a follow-up to myfour load comparison covered in an earlier post usingHarvester Crush Rib sabots, 300grain Speer Gold Dots, and four different powder charges. http://www.huntingnet.com/forum/tm.aspx?m=2337091

Thanks to sabotloader, I had a sample pack of a number of different sabots. I decided to stick with the same bullets and the best shooting powder charge from that experiment, and try all of the different sabots with thatcombination. The results were interesting. Groups ranges from 5 & 3/4" to 1 & 7/8" at 100 yards. Velocities varied, but not as much as I expected.Targets are posted below (from largest group to smallest)for your viewing pleasure.

RE: Range Experiment - Same Load / Six Different Sabots
 

HPH 3 Petal EZ Load

RE: Range Experiment - Same Load / Six Different Sabots
 

HPH-24

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HPH-12

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Harvester Crush Ribs

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Harvester "Short"

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Harvester "Long"

RE: Range Experiment - Same Load / Six Different Sabots
 

That is really interesting because of the difference a simple sabot can make on group size. I guess I have to pay more attention to sabots again... great test.

RE: Range Experiment - Same Load / Six Different Sabots
 

Have you tried that rifle with full-bore conicals? ;)

RE: Range Experiment - Same Load / Six Different Sabots
 

Funny you should ask, Underclocked.

I'veshot one - and only one -target with Hornady 410 grain Great Plains over 120 grains Pyrodex and got an 8" five-shot group at 100 yards. The group had one bad flyer, with four of the shots into 3" (target below). My chronograph was out of commission at the time, so I don't know the velocity. It was a "stiff" load for sure.

The only other conicals I've shot were a few 250 grain REALs that average 2" at 50 yards. Never did a serious work up with them either.

Before I got my 25 ACP breech plug it seemed I would have a flyer in almost every five-shot group. That's not happening any more and I sure need to give conicals another try with a variety of loadings (so many possibilities - so little time). I got the Mustangafter last year's hunting season so I've haven't used it for hunting yet. All of my ML deer over the last 15 years have been killed with a TC New Englander and Great Plains 410s. It sure is a deadly bullet and deserves a better trial in the Mustang.