Sabot Range Test

[DRM]

I know testing ammo can be expensive so I though I would share the results of my test to help others narrow down what they might try in their gun. My slug gun is a Benelli Nova with an aftermarket Ithaca cantilever 1:28 twist rifled slug barrel 24" long. (I believe Ithaca discontinued producing barrels for the Nova a few years back.) Test was @ 100 yrds with the scope at 4x.

- Hornady 2 3/4" 300gn SST
Group was 6", Ave V=1775 fps

-Winchester 3" 385gn Partition Gold
Group was 8", Ave V=1852 fps

- Winchester 2 3/4" 400 gn Platinum Tip
Group was 2", Ave V= 1523 fps

Currently I am hunting with the Platinum Tip and have been very happy with the results on Hogs.

[MI.sabot]

Thanks for the data.

The velociy of the Platinum Tips appears to be quite a bit below the advertised 1,700 fps.
The others though seem to be within the expected range.

[DRM]

The velociy of the Platinum Tips appears to be quite a bit below the advertised 1,700 fps.

I think they are all approx. 200 fps under advertised velocity. I believe the SST and the Gold are advertised at 2000 fps the Platinum at 1700 fps.  I know I have always taken advertised ballistic data with a grain of salt.  Many times you do not know all the variables the manufacture used to come up with their data.  Also I know they are in the business of selling product, you know that will lead to a bit of exaggeration.  I have for a long time now found my chrono to be the best $100. I have spent on shooting related products.  Hay, it also gives us all something to talk about....

[MI.sabot]

I stand corrected.  You're right those are advertised at 2,000 fps.
I had the 20 ga SST's on my mind at 1,800 fps and also didn't notice those were the 3" WPG's.
I bet they both kicked pretty good!

[DRM]

I bet they both kicked pretty good!

Regarding the kick I really could not give you an accurate assessment............I have a little trick for recoil I do that works for me.  Years ago when I got the slug barrel (to hunt a shotgun only area that has less hunting pressure) I remember shooting the big slugs for the first time at the range and thought the recoil was really stout. From that day forward when I shoot slugs at the range I use one of those foam/jell shoulder recoil pads.  They really reduce the felt recoil.  When I hunt in the field I do not use the shoulder pad but when I shoot at game I never feel recoil anyway.  So for me recoil from the slugs is reasonable but I have fooled myself.  I know this consciously but at the fraction of a second before the trigger breaks I don't unconsciously flinch because my experience with recoil is pleasant.  I do the same thing with large caliber Contender Handgun I shoot (i.e. 445 SuperMag and others).    Someone might say that my practice sessions using shooting gloves or shoulder pads will adversely affect the feel and mount of the gun in the field when I don't use them to shoot at game.  Well, at least for me I shoot heavy recoil guns and handgun well and I am not a big guy.  Dealing with recoil for me is psychological and I have fooled myself (in that fraction of a second) to think recoil is mild which allows me not to anticipate the hammer drop and smoothly squeeze the trigger.  Works for me........