Author Topic: Sanding Sabots  (Read 807 times)

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Offline tscott

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Sanding Sabots
« on: September 12, 2005, 06:11:46 AM »
I had a devil of a time getting Hornady XTP's down the barrel of any muzzleloader. I admit to not being the smallest most delicate guy, but this was ridiculous....
I took sandpaper to each sabot, being careful not to screw up the base.
Looks like the plastic is fully engaged in the barrel, as these bullets are now easier to load (without snapping ram rods). I'm betting accuracy isn't compromised, at least deer hunting wise... What do you guys think? Am I nuts?   Any experience?

Offline Keith Lewis

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Sanding Sabots
« Reply #1 on: September 12, 2005, 06:43:02 AM »
Just guessing that you have a T/C Omega??  Mine is nearly impossible to load any sabot bullet combination without a lot of pressure. I have been able to switch to Harvester short sabots with 300gr. SST and load with moderately heavy force. Powerbelts are the only thing I can load decently. I haven't tried sanding any sabots but if you can do it evenly it probably would not affect accuracy a lot. I'm sure for target work it might not be recommended. I am looking at the Harvester ribbed sabots as a possible fix for the problem. I have slugged the barrel and it is a perfect .500 but I think the depth of rifleing being rather shallow has something to do with the difficulty loading.

Offline Redhawk1

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Sanding Sabots
« Reply #2 on: September 12, 2005, 06:55:11 AM »
As long as you still have a good seal, you should be OK. I would go to the range and give them a try. :D
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Offline Piney

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Sanding Sabots
« Reply #3 on: September 12, 2005, 07:53:10 AM »
tscott the plastic sabots come in various colors which to my understanding indicate different thicknesses.  I know for example shooting the black sabots with the XTP it is just about impossible to load in my rifle, however, with the green sabots loading is not at all difficult.  Accuracy is very good.  Might want to consider this and experiment?
Disabled Vietnam Vet USN 70-72.

Offline tscott

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Sanding Sabots
« Reply #4 on: September 13, 2005, 03:57:18 AM »
Hey thanks guys, My main deer rifle is the Huntsman. Yes Keith I use Powerbelts for hunting. I guess the few (2) times a year  I may go to the range, I'd like to shoot something cheaper than Powerbelt (295,cj,hp).
I will get to the range in the next month, so I will post the results.
Powerbelts cloverleaf for me at 50 yards, and that is a fair distance since I hunt thick along the Blue Ridge, and Catskill Mts. 5 deer = dead on the spot! Oh, 90 gr 777, don't care what primer....

Offline Spit

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Sanding Sabots
« Reply #5 on: September 24, 2005, 07:01:57 PM »
Sabot too tight? Try MMP's HPH 24's Thinner petals should solve your problem.

Give Del a call he'll tell you what sabot to use to fix the problem... here's his web site www.mmpsabots.com
SPIT

Chasing Magilla Whitetail in SE Iowa

Offline Greenhunter

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Sanding Sabots
« Reply #6 on: October 03, 2005, 12:03:44 PM »
sounds like your sabot/bullet combination is too tight. make sure you are loading the right diameter bullet for the sabot you are using. Ont the range, I also swab my bore with a damp patch of "moose milk" after every shot to keep everything smooth.  Moose milk is also T/C #13 bore cleaner.

You should be able to easily load and shoot that smokepole all day without breaking it down for cleaning.