I took the Traditions Deerhunter kit rifle to the range today to try out some new sabots and bullets I got.
The day seemed like it was going to be a good one as far as my shooting was concerned.



So I moved the target out to 100 yards.



Still not too bad. But then I tried a different sabot and bullet.



So I went back to the first bullet and sabot and shot this.




And this.


Things didn't seem to be getting better so just for kicks I tried a 180 grain, .44 cal., XTP.




Oh well, There's always another day.

Some days seem to go like that Pluckit. That 240 grain XTP sure seems to have potential. You might try playing around with the charge a bit with that bullet.

But dang, it seems so out of balance to shoot a .429 bullet from a .54 bore. I think I would have to try some .452/300 grain XTPs or Deep Curls, or even some of the larger diameters like .475s or .500s.

Never did have a 54 that shot with less that 100gr,

Don't you think that would be close to wasting powder in a 24 inch barrel?
If I could throw out shots number 1 and 3, on target #4, I would have an impressive group with that .44 caliber XTP, out of a 24 inch, .54 caliber barrel. But for the life of me, I couldn't figure out what was happening with that volley.

(Semisane) But dang, it seems so out of balance to shoot a .429 bullet from a .54 bore. I think I would have to try some .452/300 grain XTPs or Deep Curls, or even some of the larger diameters like .475s or .500s.
Did you notice I was using a 180 grain, .44 caliber bullet, when shooting at target #6? After I took the first shot, I thought I might have something going, but to no avail.
And I did shoot some .452, 250 grain XTP's at target #3. I think that was one of my worst targets.

target #4.......when I do that I allways wonder if I looked at the sights 2 different ways (open sights) 2--1 inch groups...5 shots...if you put target 5 over 4 you still have 2 groups....8 shots.....it can drive ya crazy lol

I'm just going to figure that at 100 yards, if that paper was a deer the deer would be dead, with any of those shots with a broad side shot. So I'll have to move on to another rifle for now. The Vision still needs some attention before the season starts, and it is approaching fast.

ANY day shooting is still better than your best day at work.

Well except maybe the day Christmas bonuses are handed out.

My favorite fun load in a 54cal is the 225gr FTX. The sell by the 100 instead of 50 and are mild on the shoulder. You could use either 54x44 of 54x45. I prefer the 54x45 since the Harvester sabot is the one i usually use for my hotter hunting loads. The MMP 54x45 fits tighteer.

BTW the MMP/Barnes 54x50 sabot with a short 300gr like the 50-300gr DeepCurl/GoldDot shoots great and doesn't need much fps to smack the snot out of a deer. I know they work ok in a 1-38. They are really good though in a 1-28 twist. Im not sure how well they would work in a even slower twist.