Author Topic: Nosler Sabots (Read 820 times)

lonewolf5347 · « **on:** April 10, 2004, 02:09:17 PM »

Was out today and drag my 54 cal. thunderhawk along to see what I can come up with on a new load for the gun.I pick up some nosler 250 grain sabot( jacketed handgun bullets) midsouth had them on sale ,I think a 10 card went for $2.99 along with them I also pick up a card of 10 partition 300 grain for $4.99 a card.I did pick up a couple of packs on each for that price.
I am starting with the less exspensive bullets to get the rifle on paper (no problem) and see what type of powder load the rifle likes best.I find that the thunderhawk seems to loike 75 to 80 grains of triple 777 behind any bullet.
I am a little concern about the way the nosler sabots load smooth as butter,you don't need a starter hammer to get them going.I found seat the sabot in the barrel use your thumb to insert them and ramrod them home like silk.
I have use precision sabot before I never had any problems loading them sometime a little force on the ramrod but not as easy as those noslers.I find that 80 grains of triple 777 will keep them in a 2 inch group all day at the 50 yard target,have not yet got to the 100 yard target.I did notice that the plastic fouling is a little more with the noslers compared to precision sabots.Has anyone use the noslers bullet should I change the plastic sabots for tighter fit ; ?

AndyHass · « **Reply #1 on:** April 10, 2004, 04:07:54 PM »

If you are happy with the accuracy, I wouldn't change a thing. If you aren't, it can't hurt to try a tighter sabot. It is strange how a certain caliber is not really standardized in the industry. I am surprised you notice plastic fouling....I've never seen it in any of my guns, I was beginning to thing it was a bit of a myth.

whitfang · « **Reply #2 on:** April 11, 2004, 01:48:12 AM »

I'd agree with AndyHass - if they're accurate don't worry about how tight they are.

Find and "read" the fired sabots to be sure that they're engaging the rifling. (I think Randy Wakeman has an article on reading sabots somewhere on the web) The sabot petals should be open but not missing, the base and petals should be grooved by the rifling, and the base should not be subdurated or burned.

I was worried too about how easy plastic sabots load in an Encore, but they shoot just fine. I think the base expands sufficiently when they're fired to ensure engagement with the rifling.

Wolfhound · « **Reply #3 on:** April 11, 2004, 03:03:49 AM »

Quote

The sabot petals should be open but not missing

Actually, that's not really important as long as your getting good accuracy. When shooting my new Omega, the sabot that shoots best is always loosing petals. It's not affecting accuracy any so I'm not worried about it.

whitfang · « **Reply #4 on:** April 11, 2004, 05:22:15 AM »

I stand corrected. For an article on "reading sabots" by Toby Bridges see:

http://www.hpmuzzleloading.com/FeaturesPage2.html

This article says there are some sabots (which I've not seen) that are designed so the petals break off. It also tells how to tell if petals have broken off outside (good) or inside (bad) the barrel.

Bullseye · « **Reply #5 on:** April 11, 2004, 07:45:50 AM »

From my experience, if a sabot groups to your satisfaction and is easy to load that is the best combination. I have used some that loaded hard and shot great, but I do not use them because they load so hard. This thing needs to be fun, and beating a sabot down the barrel is not fun to me since I have always been able to find a combo that loads easy and shoots good. Honestly the Power Belts are a great idea and load great, but I will not pay the price, so I look until I find the other combo with sabots.

lonewolf5347 · « **Reply #6 on:** April 11, 2004, 07:55:09 AM »

I myself have the same thought on precision sabot the price is a $1.00 a shot. I only bought the nosler because they were on closeout and there reviews on the full partition bullet is outastanding ( 300 grain for $4.99 a 10 card )
The only mistake I made yesterday was not to look at the plastic sabot,next time out I will see what they look like.

whitfang · « **Reply #7 on:** April 11, 2004, 08:52:49 AM »

That's sure tru about the hard loading. I still shoot my old T/C Hawken once in awhile and it's a two-handed grunt 'n sweat loader. I was using the wooden ramrod until I read about guys that had the ramrod break and do carpal-tunnel wrist surgery on them.

And I also can't stand to pay over $1 each for Powerbelts - unless they would be a lot more accurate than regular sabots.

lonewolf5347 · « **Reply #8 on:** April 11, 2004, 05:27:18 PM »

Guy's next idea will it work:I have some Hornady SST 300 grain sabot they are .452 diameter,would like to try them also in the New englander @ the 54 cal. thunderhawk.)I do favor the 54 over the 50)
I have some red harvester 54 cal sabots they say they will except a .451 bullet,can i try them with .452 sst? or do I need a sabot that will take a .452 bullet only

RandyWakeman · « **Reply #9 on:** April 11, 2004, 06:06:53 PM »

http://mmpsabots.com/red.html

Not familar with the "red Harvester," but the MMP red sabots are worth a try.

sabotloader · « **Reply #10 on:** April 12, 2004, 07:35:00 AM »

I have the "red" Harvester and I do use Honady .452 XTP's in that sabot. It the easiest loading sabot that I use. If you try MMP's you need to know the size of your bore to get the correct sabot. They make more than one 50/451-452 sabot. Their standard sabot will not go down my A&H's or my Remington. After my conversation the other day with Del Ramsey, I do know now if I am going to use MMP's I need to know what I am ordering and what size bore I am going to stick it in.

The thinnest 50 cal sabot he makes is designated a HPH-50-24, the standard 50 is designated 50-12... I am giving these numbers from memory my notes are at home. Connie is the receptionist really does not know all of these numbers (things are always changing), I hate to suggest this but you might need to talk to Del directly to get the product you need.

Another observation if you are intereseted:
100grs T7 - Hornady 300 grain XTP
Shooting a black Harvester 50/429 velocity 1676fps
the black is an eeeasy loading sabot.
Shooting a Green MMP 50.429 velocity 1775fps
The green loads a little more difficult (tighter)

They both shoot great groups from the A&H

Lonewolf5347 - all of that said I have used the nosler sabots for several years now and have really been happy (other than their ugly colors) with their results both at the range and in the field. If anything is to easy to load you may be losing some velocity unless you are putting a sub-base underneath.