|
Does a different sabot make a difference?
I would have to say YES INDEED. OK, I know one test does not support this statistically. But with results this dramatic I am convinced. Both 5 shot groups below were shot at 50 yards with my cap lock 50 cal Hawken GM LRH barrel and using 300 gr Shock Wave bullets and 100 gr of FFg. The only difference was the group on the left was with the sabots that came with the shock waves. The group on the right was using Harvester black CR sabots.
During the course of the shooting I did notice that the T/C sabots varied in the amount of pressure required to seat the bullet. Some were tight, others only moderately tight. The CRs were consistant with each loading. On a side note - to ease Cayugad and Semisane's mind, the fouling with this rifle was about what you would expect with BP. (barrel was treated with MX BC). The only difference between today and yesterday was I swabbed the bore with 2 alcohol patches and dried prior to shooting. After each shot, the barrel was swabbed with a T/C #13 patch and 2 dry patches.  |
RE: Does a different sabot make a difference?
Oh yeah forgot to mention, that's 4 holes in the center of that target on the right. Open sights. Don't know what happened to that #4 shot? Gremlin I guess.
|
RE: Does a different sabot make a difference?
Yeah it really is amazing to see how much one component can change how a gun shoots. Just goes to show that you need to fully test several different loads and combinations before settling on a load.
I've always been a fan of Harvester products. Especially their Crush Rib offerings |
RE: Does a different sabot make a difference?
I had the same experience with 300 grain SSTs. The supplied sabots shot OK, but replacing them with Harvester short blacks cut the group size considerably.
|
RE: Does a different sabot make a difference?
Bronko... the other day I shot with a MX barrel, I forgot it was and swabbed with alcohol patches like normal, popped some caps, and dried the barrel. There was no difference in fouling. Perhaps it is like all petro based oils, they have to be removed before you shoot. So you might have solved the fouling problem. Swab with alcohol like you normally do before shooting...
Also it is my understanding this Montana X-treme is basically made for center fire rifles and rifles that shoot BlackHorn 209. So again, Blackhorn being a form of smokeless powder, that would make sense. As for the difference in sabots. I found the same thing to be true in my rifles. But that one group for open sights, absolutely outstanding!! that one out of the group.. that was a happy shot. :) |
RE: Does a different sabot make a difference?
The only difference I can think of between the 45 yesterday and the 50 today is that the 50 has the old brass front bead and notched rear while the 45 has the fiber optic sights. I forgot to white out the front sight yesterday to reduce the 'glare' from the red optic.
Too the 50 is a much older barrel with lots of rounds through it while the 45 is still a 'baby'. But I know the 45 can shoot better than that. But then again, it could have been the fouling issue yesterday. Have to wait another day though. I just beat the rain today. Its pouring out right now. |
RE: Does a different sabot make a difference?
It is freezing cold here today. Hardly 0ยบ out and very windy. We got a snow storm last night, and I had frozen water pipes this morning because of the wind and cold temps. So I had to go to the shop and get some things to clear that up this morning. And then I did a little shoveling, and fed the birds out on the edge of the yard. Well I did not have a coat on, and about froze to death before I got my shoveling done. Too windy and cold to shoot today. I just got the wood stove howling.
|
RE: Does a different sabot make a difference?
Dave - sounds like today will be a good day to tinker around the house. Maybe get a few things out of the way you've been planning to do.
I got the Hawken all cleaned up. Went back to the bore butter. I'm going to keep the MX stuff for the centerfires. See how it works in them. I just got my delivery yesterday of MX nylon bore brushes from .22 cal up to .50 cal. for use with the Cowboy solvent. The temp here is finally above freezing. Its in the mid 40s but raining and windy. |
RE: Does a different sabot make a difference?
After reading this post and thinking, maybe thats why them 250 sw splattered all over the target the other
day at the range.Gonna have to test again.Real good shooting. |
RE: Does a different sabot make a difference?
I just got the wood stove howling. I've got the truck packed and am just about to leave for a week end at the hunting club range. It's 77 degrees outsideright now and humid as hell. I'll be sweating walking back and forth to the 100 yard target. |
RE: Does a different sabot make a difference?
Really feel bad for you Semisane. And I'm sure Cayugad feels the same.It's really a shame that you have to suffer in that heat while us northern guys are staying nice and cool.
Gee.. I really hope you don't get a flat tire on your way up the camp. Have safe trip and think of us while you're wiping off your brow. |
RE: Does a different sabot make a difference?
The right sabot makes a big difference in my Knight...With MMP-24s and the ones with Hornady SSTs my group opens up...With the ones supplied by T/C my groups are good...
|
RE: Does a different sabot make a difference?
cayugad
It made it to 70 yesterday and 65 today spring is on the way. Soon as the wind gets reasonable we will head for the range. Lee |
RE: Does a different sabot make a difference?
ORIGINAL: bronko22000 I would have to say YES INDEED. OK, I know one test does not support this statistically. But with results this dramatic I am convinced. Both 5 shot groups below were shot at 50 yards with my cap lock 50 cal Hawken GM LRH barrel and using 300 gr Shock Wave bullets and 100 gr of FFg. The only difference was the group on the left was with the sabots that came with the shock waves. The group on the right was using Harvester black CR sabots. During the course of the shooting I did notice that the T/C sabots varied in the amount of pressure required to seat the bullet. Some were tight, others only moderately tight. The CRs were consistant with each loading. On a side note - to ease Cayugad and Semisane's mind, the fouling with this rifle was about what you would expect with BP. (barrel was treated with MX BC). The only difference between today and yesterday was I swabbed the bore with 2 alcohol patches and dried prior to shooting. After each shot, the barrel was swabbed with a T/C #13 patch and 2 dry patches.
http://www.the-gleasons.com/shooting_mlers_for_accuracy.htm Consistent procedure makes a huge difference. Loading pressure makes a difference with Savage and smokeless and Blackhorn in inlines. Your "hand loading" each shot, so expect huge differences. Chap |
RE: Does a different sabot make a difference?
ORIGINAL: lemoyne cayugad It made it to 70 yesterday and 65 today spring is on the way. Soon as the wind gets reasonable we will head for the range. Lee Heck that would be summer time temps around here. |
RE: Does a different sabot make a difference?
Chap - Not sure what you mean by handloading each shot. Don't we all.
During this entire shooting session, except for the very first shot from a squeaky clean barrel, each successive shot was loaded exactly the same. Powder was premeasured at home, swabbing between each shot was the same, bullets were seated to the same depth and shooting style was consistant. The only difference was the sabots and the amount of pressure required to seat them. The T/C sabots were inconsistant while the Harvesters, without the benefit of a pressure scale, felt the same. This difference in required seating pressure is what I am sure led to the huge difference in accuracy. Now had the pressures been consistant with the T/C sabots, either tight or loose, I believe that group would have also been smaller. |
RE: Does a different sabot make a difference?
ORIGINAL: bronko22000 Chap - Not sure what you mean by handloading each shot. Don't we all. During this entire shooting session, except for the very first shot from a squeaky clean barrel, each successive shot was loaded exactly the same. Powder was premeasured at home, swabbing between each shot was the same, bullets were seated to the same depth and shooting style was consistant. The only difference was the sabots and the amount of pressure required to seat them. The T/C sabots were inconsistant while the Harvesters, without the benefit of a pressure scale, felt the same. This difference in required seating pressure is what I am sure led to the huge difference in accuracy. Now had the pressures been consistant with the T/C sabots, either tight or loose, I believe that group would have also been smaller. |
RE: Does a different sabot make a difference?
Chap - No offense taken. I'm sure we all agree that consistancy translates directly to accuracy.
Based on this limited test, it is apparent that the Harvester sabots meet a higher quality control standard than the ones made for T/C. I personally do not believe that T/C makes these sabots but have them made for them |
| All times are GMT -8. The time now is 11:43 AM. |
Copyright © 2026 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.