Using sabots in a 1 in 48 inch twist barrel.
 

I know this has been discussed before but I just noticed this and I found it interesting.

This load data was developed using a 1 in 48 inch twist. I have known for some time that sabots shoot great with a 1 in 48 inch twist barrel.

I'm certainly interested in how well they'll work as I would like to eventually buy a Trade Rifle barrel to drop into my Deerstalker stock to which I'd top it with a PC scope for use with sabots or conicals in the hopes I can hunt beyond 150 yds.

Lyman's states their barrel works well with PRB and heavy conicals. And so I wonder how well a .45 cal 300 grn SST would work.

Some say they think it has something to do with the depth of the rifling. All I know for sure is that the 1 in 48 inch twist Traditions sidelock barrels I shoot sabots out of shoots them very well.

Light loads work. You can also shoot a PRB in a 1-28 twist with light loads.

The point is, when you don't use the proper twist for the bullet. You can't use heavy hunting loads.

Fwiw, I have had two 1:48 .50 TC sidelocks over the years that have shot saboted bullets very well. Wish I still had the one for sure, if not both :(

IIRC, my load was .452/260gr over 80gr pyrodex.

75 grains of 3f Goex in my .45 and 80 grains 3f Goex in my .54 I do not consider to be light loads. And are more than acceptable hunting loads in my opinion.

Depends on what you're hunting for.

IMO those are light big game hunting loads, depending on the weight of the projectile you are shooting, or if you are shooting round balls in a 1-48 twist with those loads - I would believe you are right in the ball park. And I should also say if you are well aware of range limitations of that load - it certainly would be a good hunting load in within those range limitations.

At Rondy events I shoot 60 -70 grains in my 50's as a lot of others do.

I think the majority of the folks a DWB's would tell that 70 grains shooting a 460 grain Conical is a very good load, but as the weight of the projectile come down the powder goes up.

I did say heavy hunting loads. ;)

I shoot sabots out of a lot of my 1-48 twist rifles. My results vary almost every time I shoot. So I blame myself. Also I find that the weight of the bullet makes a big difference.

One afternoon with my Lyman Trade Rifle 50 caliber flintlock I was shooting 240 grain .430 diameter in green EZ load sabots with 80 grains of 2f black powder. I think they were EZ load as they loaded very easy, but the card had been pulled from the pack. I am certain they were harvester. Accuracy was outstanding. The next time out, accuracy was not so good. So like I said, I think it is me that is the accuracy issue.