Sabots???

[petemi]

I've been shooting traditional muzzleloaders, caplock and flintlock, for more than 20 years.  I've shot PRBs and cast bullets.  And now, out of my Huntsman, I've shot cast bullets and sabots.  What, please, is the facination with sabots??  All I see is plastic fouling instead of lead.  A smaller bullet down range.  Why reduce a .50 caliber to a .45???  "It's faster, flatter etc. etc.')  Why not go with a big lead slug with energy when it gets there and I believe, perhaps, better BC.

[PHATINJUN]

I'm with ya on this Pete. I really guess it's just a personal thing .I used to shoot some sabots but shoot all full bore or patched now . maybe just a romantic thing with the full bores. Just wish I could get the full bores to cooperate with me on the 20ga Ultragon bbl.Kurt

[nrb]

I have  tested two ML, a 50cal Huntsman and a 50cal T/C inline with various bullets with 777 and Pyrodex, caps and 209 ignition. This testing continues over several years. Both of these MLs group much better at 50 and 100 yds with 45 cal and 44 cal sabots than any cast bullet or skirted bullet that I have tried. This is with both T7 or Pyrodex. As average summary figures, I get 1 to 3 inch groups with sabots whereas the cast bullets and variations give me 3 to 6 inch groups at 100 yds.

[petemi]

My buddy, whose younger eyes are a lot better than mine shoots inside of 3 inch groups with the flintlocks he builds himself, patched round balls and iron sights.  Scoped as it is, my Huntsman will shoot inside 3 inches all day with heavy cast bullets.  I find sabots go every which way at 50 yards, let alone 100.  I also find mine shoots better with a fouled barrel than a clean.

I might add, my buddy Wayne, is a member of Treasure Coast Muzzleloaders in Florida.  I used to belong and got their news letter for a number of years.  Wayne invariably wins all their matches.  He'll be here on the 14th for our deer season; bringing up a new flinter.  He's built .36, .45, .50, .54, .56, .62' .69 and .72 calibers.  I was with him when he shot a 7 point at 90 yards with the .69, 1 in 96 twist, and a patched round ball with 140 gr. ffg behind it.  The deer went over like a silhouette target.

[yooper77]

Does the Huntsman's rifling twist support the sabots properly?
-what is the rifling twist rate?

yooper77

[Busta]

Does the Huntsman's rifling twist support the sabots properly?
-what is the rifling twist rate?

yooper77

yooper77,

Yes, the Huntsman .50 calibers twist rate is 1:28, perfect for 250-300 grain saboted bullets. I have shot lots of different saboted bullets in the 1" to 2" range, some under MOA. I just don't think pete has found the right load (and may not want to) combination for his yet. I would also say that the Huntsman is a VERY good conical shooter, the 440 grain to 460 grain No Excuses/Bullshop/White are all good choices. My Huntsman also just loves the new Hornady FPB 350 grain bullet.

Pics of a recent range visit with my Huntsman. I have also shot several MOA groups over the years with saboted bullets. This is just one recent example while testing out Blackhorn 209 powder, these were not tweeked proven loads.

ALL except the lower left corner were saboted bullets. The lower left is the Hornady FPB close up below.

[yooper77]

OK good, its the same as T/C Encore 209x50 barrel.

I was just wondering, I didn't know if it was the same.

Very nice groups.

yooper77

[eod20]

i want to add a huntsman to my barrel collection    with the stated 1 in 28" twist do you think it will support the 385 gr flat point hb full bore i cast.    it has been shooting very good out of my no name italian hawkin cap with a musket nipple and 85 gr of t7