Sabot detachment vs. Accuracy???

[sport240]

This is a question I've been tinkering with for quite a while now.  I really can't prove much about it apart from the fact that sabots are really inaccurate in my Traditions E-Bolt whereas "solid" projectiles such as lead slugs or CVA's Power-Belts are lethally precise at 100 yds.  So being the inquiring mind that I am, I came up with a theory that may just have some fact to it as far as physics goes.  The way I figure (and remember I may be completely in left field with this) is that as the projectile leaves the barrel it is properly aligned with the bore and given a "straight" trajectory by the rifling.  However, at some point in it's flight, the plastic sabot detaches from the projectile, probably or usually downwards.  As it slips off the projectile it has to apply the very slightest force onto it in another direction which may affect the final trajectory of the bullet.

Am I reading too much into this or may I be on to some dirty little industry secret?

Your thoughts?

Sport240

[bfoster]

High speed photography shows that the "fingers" of most sabots expand due to centrifugal force within a few feet of the projectile leaving the barrel. This causes violent braking to the sabot; usually speration from the bullet is "clean". Subtle problems like the sabot causing a seperation related disturbance to the wake of the airstream at the base of the bullet can play a role, but the bullet is usually well on its way to correct stabilization by the time that 100 yards of flight has happened. Other issues are more likely to be at the root of your problem.

Depending on what you want to do you have several choices.

If you want to shoot sabots simply try other designs. You won't be the first shooter to find that some rifles shoot one design much better than several others.

On the other hand you've found a couple accurate loads. You might want to secect one and continue practicing with it until you're ready to go hunting .

Bob

[RandyWakeman]

I can tell you that the thick "Dead Center" orange sabots very quickly separate and fall into a neat pile splayed wide open 9 yards from the muzzle in 2200 fps loads.

[kamml]

I have had a number of black powder guns both side lock and centerline ignition and have tried a wide variety of both sabots and solid projectiles in each to find optimum accuracy with precision.  What I have found is a mixed bag.  I had a sidelock CVA that would shoot sabots with 1 1/2" accuracy @100yds all day long but couldn't shoot a solid consistently period.  Whereas I had a center line that was just the opposite.  It was accurate with conicals but not with sabots.  I am shooting a Knight T-Bolt now using 295 Powerbelts and am having consistent 1 1/2-2" @ 100yds accuracy with 90 grs of 777.   The Knight will shoot 80 grs or 110 grs reasonably well, but with 90 grs its giving me consistent results.  Give your rifle a mix of bullet styles and powder loads to find the level of precision your rifle can achieve.  Its really trial and error to find this.  And with exception to the cleaning who doesn't like to shoot.  Ken    :-)