Author Topic: Called NEF regarding loads for sidekick (Read 1044 times)

jdbe · « **on:** January 20, 2005, 06:24:26 AM »

The gentleman on the other line said " A lot of our guys are shooting the Hornady XTP 245grn over two 50 pyrodex pellets" I asked about powerbelts and he said " some of the guys were using them, but most switched to XTP". Now I think that is great as the darned powerbelts were expensive. I thought that I heard the Hornady were hard to load? How hard are they and is this even if you wipe the bore between shots? I would think the SST would shot well then also as it is bassically the xtp with a poly tip. What do you lads who shoot huntsman/sidekick think? I would really like to stay away from powerbelts unless I go to CO for a hunt.

RT8 · « **Reply #1 on:** January 20, 2005, 09:05:42 AM »

I haven't shot any of the 245s, but the 300s that I tried were VERY hard to load with a shiny clean barrel...only got harder with each shot!

raynor · « **Reply #2 on:** January 20, 2005, 12:35:12 PM »

Try the Nosler bulk pack sabots. (50 pack) They load as easy as a powerbelt. I shoot them with the jacketed Nosler bullets which also come in bulk (250 per box), and are cheaper than XTP's. Ragged holes at 50 yards, haven't tried them at 100 yet.

They sure do load easy though, if that's what your looking for.

If you have trouble finding them, let me know. I've got about 2000 or so.

jdbe · « **Reply #3 on:** January 20, 2005, 04:15:49 PM »

Not really sold one way or the other, but unless the folks at NEF have a vested interest in Hornady, they prob would not reccomend them. To me, the 250 grn seems a bit light as I want to be able to do both elk and mule deer . I would rather go will a 300 grn ballistic tip for hunting like the sst. Just passing on some info. I had expected them to say powerbelts, but they did not. Regarding price, you can buy the bullets in the handgun reloading section cheap and the sabbots are under $5. Price on the xtp bought this way is under $20 for 50 complete, so that is not really and issue. As far as I know, the sst is not available in bulk as it is not a handgun bullet, but a special one made for muzzleloading. Will any .452 diameter sabbot load hard in the sidekick? How hard is hard - like doing a ball and patch or like a maxi-ball? Thanks for the info

mangulator · « **Reply #4 on:** January 20, 2005, 06:23:37 PM »

I'm impressed with the T/C Bulk sabots. I have been using the 240 grain XTP Mag sabots with two 50 grain pyrodex pellets. They come 30 in a pack. I can shoot about seven shots before cleaning the barrel on the Huntsman. I have also, picked up a box of T/C Shock Wave 250 grain sabot bullets. I will let you know how they shoot. A friend states they are deadly accurate in his gun.

raynor · « **Reply #5 on:** January 21, 2005, 01:27:39 AM »

The Nosler and Harvestor sabots are the easiest to load and are both available for use with 45 caliber bullets.

RT8 · « **Reply #6 on:** January 21, 2005, 03:00:18 AM »

Quote from: jdbe

Will any .452 diameter sabbot load hard in the sidekick? How hard is hard - like doing a ball and patch or like a maxi-ball? Thanks for the info

Only sabbots I've tried so far are the Hornady's. Never shot patch-n-ball. I can 'start' maxi-balls with my thumb and seat them one-handed. The Hornady sabbots I have to DRIVE in with a ball starter and then take both hands on the ramrod and put a LOT of pressure and usually a few got smacks to get seated.

The 'too biggness' of the Hornady's seems to be with every ML made...everybody that I've heard/seen mention them says they're "hard to load". No other sabbots, that I'm aware of, have that reputation.

FWIW, I quit shooting sabbots all together. No need. Maxi-balls are much cheaper and easier to use. No expansion/penetration issues. Kill deer like lightning and plenty flat shooting enough out to ~125yds (I've never shot a deer with a CF rifle that far).