sabot pistol bullets in amzzel loader

[ratdog]

in have shot several deer with the sabot pistol hollow points i don't think they expand at all unless they  hit bone i think they are a waist of money the bullets aren't traveling  fast enough .i get the same results with lead bullets i cast myself complete pass through.what do you think?

[luckydawg13]

i would think that yes they do go fast enuff
23.5 gr of H110 240 xtp 14" contender barrel = 1600fps
that's a good 44 mag load
80 gr of blackhorn 240 gr bullet 26" barrel = 1740 fps
this is a light muzzleloader load
i think the deer are to thin skidded so i don't think its the bullits falt and yes all the deer
that i have shot have been complete pass though you might wont to try a 250gr XTP in .452
 
 

[Semisane]

Actually most muzzle loaders are shooting bullets like the Hornady and Speer pistol bullets that are designed for the .44 Mag, .45 Colt and .454 Casull at speeds faster than can be achieved with pistols in those calibers.  They are pretty sure to expand at muzzleloader rifle speeds.

[srussell]

250 grain xtp bullets for the 45 colt will expand weather you hit Bone are not. 90 grains of 2ff black and they are deadly on white tales

[Busta]

in have shot several deer with the sabot pistol hollow points i don't think they expand at all unless they  hit bone i think they are a waist of money the bullets aren't traveling  fast enough .i get the same results with lead bullets i cast myself complete pass through.what do you think?

I think there are a few million deer that would disagree with that statement. So i think you are either using the wrong bullet, or you are not using enough powder in your rifle.
 
The Hornady XTP for instance, has probably killed more deer out of inline muzzleloaders since Del Ramsey started manufacturing sabots in the mid to late 80's than any other bullet on the market.
 
They surely don't need to hit bone to expand, most hollow points will expand when entering tissue or body fluids, it is how they are designed to operate. Mammals are comprised of around 80% water.