VdoMemorie's Blazing Sabots and some helpfull tips!

[VdoMemories Blazing Sabot]

Paper patching a undersize slug to full bore!

The RSS 12 sabots are hard to open and flare up but a simple magic marker helps!



Like this to help release the bullet the moment it exists the muzzle.
Some nice OP wads from BPI.








I'm taking the liberty of posting my personal loading data use it for reference only and at your own risk
Greetings, for all those shooters looking to shoot a Round ball in wad then here are my measurements from a .730" diameter barrel fit, a smooth bore that I check every slug/sabot through it by pushing through this 6 inch barrel!

Go to any gunsmith and ask for a cut piece of barrel from his garbage bin for this important safety check before you start loading your own and you will be surprised at what all you will find.
Best fit for .685" dia RB in wad!
1. Fed.12S3 purple wad, nice fit!
2. Win.AA White next best fit!
3. Fed.12C-1 a bit tighter fit!
4. Fed.12S-0 a bit too tight fit!
5. Fed.12S-4 brown, too tight, could be dangerous!
6. Win. 12F114 yellow, too loose for accuracy!
Safety first,trust but verify!
Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas!
Ajay
Video Memories
VdoMemorie-Blazing Sabots!

[VdoMemories Blazing Sabot]

Greetings, we have been busy testing various loads, sabot combo's at the range, the manufacturers quote their velocity from a 30 inch test barrel. My testing was suppose to be all done with a over the counter 24 in barrels that most shooters have, unfortunately the test gun got damaged and the second replacement is only 22 inch barrel, causing the velocity # to be even lower.
The Handloader magazine #267 of August 2010 had an artical on slugs by John Haviland
he mentions this loading data

look at the last two lines as he says flying sabots and wads are fetal to chronographs, all velocities quoted are from manufacturers, scared to use his own chrono!
We on the other hand want true and fair results and here are some pictures to show what all goes on the range!






My son Amit who was there and said I'll thake the pictures of the flying sabots, I thought he is crazy as I did not have a high speed camera, but I was shocked to see him taking pictures of the sabots flying in the air!



 I just got the bullet molds for 20 ga sabots to check and measure for size etc, test in full swing!
We are testing various choices of sabots in 12 and 20 gauge.
We are having fun burning powder.
Ajay
VdoMemorie's-Blazing Sabots

[VdoMemories Blazing Sabot]

Greetings, I just got into 20 gauge Blazing-Sabot loading and testing and find the 20 gauge so amazing and it really feels like a Large Bore Nitro Express, that it makes me wonder how come I missed out on this wonderful calibre and the fun that goes along with it.
I am putting all the pieces together and the stainless steel Savage being built at Savage for delivery in a week, before the plant shuts down for summer vacation.
Looking to pick up a used but reasonable 20 gauge loader, but not a single stage 600, perhaps a Grabber, on the look out for it.
 
I still need a Lyman 20 ga roll crimper like this one:

We found some nice bullets and certain wads that just fit perfectly for size etc

if you were to look carefully you'll find a .125 nitro card of 28 ga in wad below the slug a perfect fit!
Can't wait to load them and test them on the range!
You all have a wonderful day!
Ajay
VdoMemorie's-Blazing Sabots

[VdoMemories Blazing Sabot]

Greetings, the Lyman 20 ga Slug in wad mold comes with this data:

The only powder giving 1600+ fps seems to be 4227



Ajay
VdoMemorie's-Blazing Sabots

[VdoMemories Blazing Sabot]

Greetings, I resently got involved in 20 gauge and was on the look out for a loading machine to test the Sabots, well we finally got it:




I have the Mec Grabber in 12 gauge but found another Hornady in 12 ga and even tho I did not need it in 12 ga I jumped at it so now I have 2 Hornady's in 12 and 20 gauge.
Still on the look out for a 20 ga Lyman roll crimper!
Suppose to be at the range first thing in the morning to try out newer wads and slug sabots combo's!
Will report back!
You all have a great one!
Ajay
VdoMemorie's-Blazing Sabots

[VdoMemories Blazing Sabot]

Greetings, the weather was nice and cloudy, at the range we were getting 1702 fps with a 450 gr slug in sabot, no sign of over pressure

I am rally starting to like 6 point fold crimp,  consistancy
in the crimp for better cumbustion is very important, the bullets must be seated all the way
at the base.
The 391 grain bullet that I really like in sabot gave 1705 fps

this bullet mold was modefied from a 450 gr mold, for some reason it was not locked-in
well so it jumped at launch and as it hit the free bore, it dug 1/4 inch into the base of the sabot
yet giving 1705 fps, I need to try a lighter bullet for faster velocity!

I was hoping to do all my test from 24 inch barrel but all I have now are 22 inch barrels for testing
so these velocities are from 22 inch rifled barrels!
The Federal hulls with Fed. 209A magnum primers were used and no pressure signs, what so ever
were visible,  in the past we had extraction issues, extractor marks from Fiocchi hulls!

To protect our chronograph from flying sabots and nitro cards, we use wooden dowels instead of metal rods!
Its a good idea to use good quality hull for testing, once your testing is done then you can switch over to cheaper hulls!
I keep forgetting to mention that we have been playing with the Lyman 525 slug in wad on the side and have so far
got 1562 fps with 2 3/4 Fed hull, Fed 209, 45 gr of A. Steel, Fed.12S-4 with a .125 inch nitro card of 16 gauge right below the slug
and put some wad pressure, for a perfect 6 point fold crimp, now we all know the wad has a powder seeping problem so cut a 1 inch
square from any photo copy paper and push it down the throat on top of the powder with a .626" wooden dowel before you put the wad etc.
 We got 1574 fps with 3" Fiocchi, Fio 616, 40 gr of A. Steel with 1 inch paper on top of the powder followed by Fed.12S-3 purple wad with a .125 nitro card of 16 gauge
put some wad pressure followed by a roll crimp, until it touches the slug!
Now do not underestimate these loads as they are very deadly and powerful!
Please use the above loads at your own risk!
More testing yet to be done as the 20 ga gun and loader is on the way!
Ajay
VdoMemories-Blazing Sabots

[Silvertp]

VdoMemories

Thanks for the post, lots of information and your pictures are great...especially for us visual types. 

Ive wanted to get into loading slugs for my 20 ga  TC Encore.  The factory boxes of 5 are too expensive and so far haven't shot all that accurately.  Working up loads as I do for my rifles would seams to make more sense. 

I think your post will be very helpful for sorting through many components and coming up with some good ammo.

Cheers
Silvertp

[VdoMemories Blazing Sabot]

Greetings SilverTip, be on the look out and we both will learn from each other, the new stainless steel Savage 220 just arrived and the EGW #41110 scope base,
the gun does come with 2 piece bases but none of my scopes fit.

the barrel rifling is much better on the stainless barrel!
The barrel is free floated the entire length, the barrel to stock fit is nothing to brag about, the AccuTrigger is good, the recoil pad is great, box magazine very good, tho I wish it was made of metal!
Over all the gun is good and if you are looking to get a 20 gauge, go for the stainless steel version!
Can't wait to try it on the range, got all the components except the Hornady progressive loader which should arrive in 2 to 3 days, I just might still load some shells and go to the range without crimping as
I am still looking for a roll crimper in 20 gauge,
a Lyman version just like my 12 gauge one, I love it!
Ajay
VdoMemories-Blazing Sabots

[VdoMemories Blazing Sabot]

Greetings, just finished loading a bunch of 20 ga Blazing-Sabot slugs with a good choice of bullets at hand for 12 and 20 gauge!
Here is a picture for you 20 ga slug loaders, be sure to put a .125-20 ga card in-between the OP wad, and a .125-28 ga card in the base cavity of the wad and one inside the wad below the slug as shown in this double picture!


The 20 gauge loads with Longshot, Blue Dot, Hs-6, 4756 and 2400 powder!
All loads in 3 inch hulls, some using Fed. 209A while other using regular primers,
have been busy making adjustments to the Hornady 20 ga loader for 3 inch!

Ajay
VideoMemories
VdoMemories-Blazing Sabots

[Silvertp]

VdoMemories

Your Savage looks like a very serious slug gun.  I will be interested to hear your accuracy results.  Considering all the detail you put into your reloading effort I expect you will find some tack driving loads for your efforts.

Regarding  your base and scope fitment appears your scope doesn't have a lot of space between the center adjustment and where the ocular and objective  widen.  The base sure offers lots of mounting options so I'm surprised that you are having problems.   Just guessing that your  problem is getting the proper eye relief.  You may have to find a scope with more options for adjusting the eye relief.

Cheers
Silvertp

[VdoMemories Blazing Sabot]

Good morning SilverTip, your observation about my having trouble with the scope mounting is very correct!
Savage choose to drill the scope base mounting holes too far apart, so none of my scopes would fit the 2 piece bases
provided by Savage!

then they changed the angle of the bolt lift from 60* to much more where  the bolt almost touches the scope!

The EGW one piece base was suppose to solve my problems at $53 price tag and guess what the scope rings had to be hammered-in to put it on!
The scope is still far from my eyes and need to order higher rings to be able to set the scope right!
Sorry my friend for moaning and groaning!
Such is life!
Ajay
VideoMemories
VdoMemories-Blazing Sabots