Spoke with Harvester this morning to order some 300gr. PT Golds. I told them about my stainless Omega having a bit larger a bore than is typical, and that the black crush rib seem to load far too easily. They are sending me samples of both the smooth black (long) sabots and the red crushed rib to try out for free so I don't mistakenly purchase the wrong sabot. I always appreciate good customer service and thought I would share.

FYI, according to the representative, the smooth black sabots are the same diameter as the black crushed rib they just don't load as easily.

That makes sense about the black sabots being the same diameter. IMO the reason the CRs load easier is that there is 50% less surface and the ribs crush and fill in the gap between the ribs. I normally find that if the smooth sabots are too hard to load, the CRs are just right and if the CRs are too loose the smooth fit the bill.

My measurements show the Harvester BCR and Smooth sabots to be extremely close in loaded OD. The MMP 50x45 HPH-24 sabot is also very similar. All 3 do feel like they require different amounts of pressure to load.

The BCRs are the easiest to load and its a toss up between the Harvester Smooth and MMP HPH-24 depending on outside temps. When its cooler, the MMP feels like it loads a tiny bit easier to me.

The RED Crushribs are by far the hardest to load and measure roughly .508. MMP's Black Short is as large but the shorter petals offer less resistance going down the bore. A BCR with a .458 bullet instead of a .452 or .451 is also around .509 and very popular in large bore 50cals.

Keep in mind, not all 45cal bullets are .452. The Harvester PTs are normally .451 and so are all new Parker BE/MH bullets as well as most Barnes. Some older Parkers are slightly smaller. I run most of mine through a cheap Lee sizing die to keep them all the same size.

BTW MMP will also send you samples if you call them. Both companies deserve high marks for CS in my opinion.

I actually just received a response from MMP and they are also sending samples of their hph-12 and hph-24 for me to try out with the .451 PT Golds. Two awesome companies. Another reason I'm glad I dumped my rifles and shotguns and am a lifetime convert to front-stuffers

+1 on Harvestor's CS. They, too, sent me a trial of .50 X .45 to see if they'd work for me with .459" bullets.