RE: Advice on free-floating barrel
 

Gander - thanks for pointing that out - I've heard about sabertooths, but I'm shooting a .45 so I'm out of luck.

I know you've had success with the powerbelts, but I've decided to shy away from them for a couple reasons:

#1. They DO shoot better than the sabot loads I've tried so far, but only on a fouled barrel. The first shot on a clean barrel is often off by several (or many) inches. I know a lot of people recommend shooting a fouling shot before going hunting, but I'm not usually able to do that. I live in the city, and drive to our family's land to go hunting. I can't shoot a fouling shot in my backyard unless I want a personal visit from Mr. Lawman. I often get up early in the morning, make the drive and go hunting that day. So unless I want to drive to a range or to the land several days before, shoot a fouling shot, then leave my rifle with a dirty barrel for awhile, it's not an option.

#2. I hunt in very open, grassy territory without much cover. It means that shots are often very long. The closest shot I've had in the past 2 years was 100 yards. I want to work up the flattest-shooting load possible so that I can extend my reach - 225 grain powerbelt + 70 grains of powder = rainbow trajectory at long ranges. If you push it with a higher powder charge to flatten the trajectory, you run into the possibility of the bullet blowing up at close range if you happen to stumble on something close by.







Here's a pic of the type of territory I hunt - There's a piebald deer in the center that we saw several years in a row. It's a couple hundred yards away - the picture was using maximum zoom.

RE: Advice on free-floating barrel
 

This kit at Midway is said to be very good and comes with detailed instructions http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=790049

RE: Advice on free-floating barrel
 

Thanks underclocked - I saw that kit at midwayusa too - thinking about getting it. Seems pretty easy to use.

RE: Advice on free-floating barrel
 

When i was using triple 7, my first shot would be exactly right where i wanted it, the next 2-3 shots would be exactly 3" higher. I blame the powder. I swithed to pyrodex and all 3 shots stay right where i aim.
If you bump your charge up to 80 grains with that 225 "Or 223 platinum" You'd only be 4" low @ 150 if you sight in dead on at 100 yards.

This is the unit i was hunting last year and was ready for a 150-160 yard shot if i needed it,