Hornady SST/ML Sabot Projectiles

[jd45]

Hello & good luck to all this deer hunting season! It's been a while since I posted on GBO......glad to be back. This ML season I plan to try a new load in my Lyman GP Hunter.........the above, instead of their 385gr GP conical HP, the object being to give me more point-blank range. I'd be interested to hear from you guys who've used these.....pro's-con's, you know......any input'll be helpful. BTW, I'll be using Hodgdon 777-2F loose.....up to maybe 100grs or so. What range do you zero at? I was thinking 100yds, just in case. What're your thoughts? Thanx, jd45

[PA-Joe]

I am actually using them in my 54 cal. GPR with 1/66 twist and they work fine.

[dmurphy317]

I haven't shot too many of the SST/SW bullets in my GPH yet but plan on it someday. Based on shooting them in my other guns you should gain about 20 yards or so on your PBR with a 300gr SST over the 385. I would stick with the 300 over the 250 as the BC of the bullet is better and will maintain energy and trajectory a bit better. It is also less prone to wind drift. The new Hornady PRB is another good bullet to try, but a bit pricey. I also like the 460 No Excuse conical for accuracy, when I set it up for an 8" instead of 6" PBR sight in I get similar distance to the 385 and PRB and it's only down about 12" at 200 yards. Good luck and have fun testing.

Forgot to mention, I zero the 385, 300SST and PRB loads 3" high at 75 yards to get a 6" point blank range sight in using 100gr of 777. the max distances for -3" of these loads are (approx) 148, 164, 173 yards. The 460 load is 90gr of 777 and the 8" PBR is 165 yards, zeroed 3" high at 75 yards. All 4 aimed an inch or two above the back will hit the boiler room at 200 yards.

[jd45]

PAJoe, I am amazed that a setup designed for a faster-twist barrel, such as my 1-in-32, would do so well in a round-ball barrel, BUT, you can't argue with results!
dmurphy317, I have the 300's. I will have to check their site to find out what a PRB is.....I'm not up to speed on the latest tech. Thanx, it should be fun to see what groups I get @ 100yds. Where I hunt, that's the absolute outside limit for a shot. jd45

[jd45]

dmurphy317, by PRB, are you referring to their Pennsylvania ball-et projectile? I have some of those but, IIRC, when I tried them with a higher-than-60gr charge, which is all my barrel will let me use with a RB, I didn't get the tight groups I hoped for. jd45

[dmurphy317]

Sorry I had a brain cramp and mis typed. I ment the FPB. Here is a link to it, it is at the top of the list.
https://www.hornady.com/shop/?ps_session=5fa4b254485d6cb760911b1ac7dc9c4b&page=shop%2Fbrowse&category_id=fb73b4b3a3f422cdff2546992d2a2166

Sorry for any confusion.