Loading Shockwave Sabots

[Cmarti]

:lol: I was looking for a different projectile than the 295 grain Powerbelts I have used the last few years.  Right or wrong, I am not happy with their terminal performance.  I heard great things about Shockwave sabots, but could barely get a 250 grain sabot  loaded in my Encore.   I did a search here and saw a few had similar problems loading them in T/C barrels.  
As an experiment we tried them in my boys Remington and CVA in-lines.
They are next to impossible to load.  I can just imagine a broken ramrod or hand on a 20 degree day during Ohio's gun season.

Do I try a different sabot?  Is there a projectile/sabot combination out there, that offer the same down range performance, but would be easier to load?

BTW, they shot excellent, even when we had to lube the sabot (I know, a no-no).

[astrix]

The shockwaves load easier in my sidekick with Nosler
sabots part #50096.I buy them from Midsouth,I think
they are $4.00 for a 50 pack.Now I just wish the
shockwaves/sst's were available in bulk without the
sabots :x
Another option is to give Del Ramsey a call at MMP
and talk sabots with him,he is the sabot guru.

[bubba]

I use the harvester sabots which you can also buy from Midsouth by the 50 pack.

[Redhawk1]

Cmarti, I don't think it is a no no to use lube one the sabot. If it works do it. I use bore butter on some of my sabots and it worked great. It is just personal preference.  

[Cmarti]

Thanks for the suggestions, I was wondering if there was a quality control problem with the sabots, or they were just packaged wrong.  

Redhawk;  the Shockwaves grouped at little over an 1'' at 50 yards using the bore butter. Never went out to 100.  I noticed no ill effects of the lube.  However, the TC website cautions not to do it for accuracy reasons.  I assumed they knew more than I did.. but these things are so tight even with the lube, I think there is a good seal and the rifling is imparting the correct spin.

[AndyHass]

I would second the suggestion to call MMP and describe your problem.
  The problem with SST/Shockwaves is that the bullet base is not boattailed or otherwise cut to fit neatly into the sabot.  When you press one in, you'll notice it forces te petals out at quite an angle from the base.
  The DC and QT bullets from Precision Rifle are twice the price but load a lot easier (they ARE boattailed).

[tscott]

You folks have really helped me as I got into muzzleloading. I am primarily a hunter..."back in"! I never understood the powerbelt bashing.
I have taken 7 shots at game with 295 cj hollow powerbelts. = 6 dead deer (furthest after hit, maybe 20 yards), and one boar dead on the spot. I do not shoot unless I'm convinced of a 1 shot kill. I butcher on the spot, not paying attention to wound channel, bullet retention. I don't care about blood trail, as I make only vital thorasic shots. Range has been 20 - 120 yds...same performance. If I can hold off to the 1st of Jan, it seems Walmart has a sale on equipment, and I can pick up powerbelts for 5 bucks a pack, and 777 for 4 bucks. Accuracy is far better than I would have expected when I experimented with my Staghorn 4 years ago...
They are so easy to load! Never do I use anything other than my finger as a bullet starter. Terminal performance for what I hunt is perfect!

[Cmarti]

Tscott,  no intention to bash powerbelts.  They load easy, in all types of muzzleloaders, and we have had good accuracy with them.  It is the first projectile my T/C New Englander ever grouped well with.  I just have had
a work-out tracking/finding deer with the 295 HP.   We have had poor blood trails on animals that when recovered were thumped right in the bread basket.  The ones we did not recover could very well be the indian not the arrow. I know there are a multitude of factors involved and it may not be the powerbelt.  But after 3 years of PB, me, my two friends,and sons are having fun experimenting.  We are playing with Shockwaves and Dead Centers.  They look cool and supposedly shoot flatter, with greater weight retention.  Should we believe every thing we read about them?  Probably not.

[tscott]

cmarti, yea... I have been the same route. Some time ago I tried SST's.
I got one stuck, and in trying to get it out scored the breech plug threads.
It turned out good in that CVA chased the threads, cleaned up the barrel,gave me a backup breech plug, and charged me 14 bucks!
I'm sure I screwed it up, and I went back to Powerbelts for ease, accuracy
and success on whitetails. I am in no way an expert. Some of my hunting
friends scoff at my use of 220 30-06 rounds on whitetails. I just keep going back to what works best for my style. I do admit in taking extreme pride (after 45 years of deer) in being very meticulous about the shots I take.
Good luck with your experiment. You're on the right track!!!

[Nic_58]

Cmarti,
I've found that by using the Harvester sabots, part #H5045SB, the Shockwave/SST 250 gr. bullet fits the sabot better than any sabot/bullet combo I've tried.  They are still a pretty snug fit in my Omega, but not as bad as the sabots that come with the SST's.  The Harvester/SST combo also shot superbly at 100 yds. with groups right around 1 inch or so using 105 gr. T7ffg.  You might want to buy some of the Harvester sabots (mine came from Graf and Sons) and swap them out for the sabots that come with your Shockwaves.  Good luck!

[Cmarti]

Thanks to all, the Harvesters came by UPS, and load much easier.  I have
been observing here, and learned much.  I finally decided to register and ask a question.  I appreciate all the help.  If you guys don't mind questions, I am always tinkering and come up with as many questions as
answers.

[Redhawk1]

Cmarti, that's why we all come here, to help each other. Keep them coming.  

[astrix]

I ain't no expert,but I love to share what has or hasn't worked for me.
Nice to have a place we can all share info.
Thanks Graybeard :wink: