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Sabot slugs sources and load data
Ten plus years ago I loaded nearly 100 sabot slugs using components from Ballistic Products, Inc. I bought 100 each 2 3/4" and 3" ACTIV all plastic hulls and 100+ 550 gr sabots that were then sold by BPI. (see attached pic). I found that, as usual, I had to modify the sabot to get good groups. First, I slit the sabot around the slug to be sure it would discard in two pieces. Then I cut the peg off that fit into the base of the slug and pressed it back into the base. This then made the base wad separate from the sabot/slug. These shot wonderfully with 2.5-3.5" groups at 100 yards.
It can be very cold here in Montana during the hunting season and BPI provided some colder weather data using red dot that, while the velocity was a little lower, there were no bloopers or other problems with the loaded shell in very cold weather. Blue dot is NOT a recommended powder here in cold weather.
Unfortunately these sabot slugs are no longer available....... and I have shot all of my loads up. So, I am looking for a source of sabot slugs. I have read lots of posts on reloading slugs, but few posters seem to be able to consistently shoot their cast slugs well. Also, I don't see the velocity of the slug loads very often. It might be difficult to catch the speed of a sabot slug over a chronograph as the discarding sabot might wreck the chrono. Has anyone chronoed their loads?
I would like to cast my own slugs. I am at least somewhat familiar with the Lyman and Lee slugs. However, I have never used them. I tried some cast foster type slugs years ago, but could never get them to shoot.
I notice that BPI is selling a sabot wad, their BLS-12, for use with jacketed bullets. However, knowing the inside diameter of the sabot would be helpful. One could then find or have made a mould that could cast a heavy lead slug that would fit into the BLS-12 sabot wad.
In any case, I am looking for a good mould choice with good accurate data or a source of commercial sabots with data. Hopefully, someone can also come up with data that is compatible with my ACTIV hulls, which I still have a quantity of.
For info, I have a Remington 870 Magnum with a 20" fully rifled barrel. It has a cantaleiver (sp?) weaver rail mounted to the barrel. It has a Weaver Micro-trac 1.5x scope with standard cross hair mounted on the rail.
So, guys, bring me up to speed,[smilie=2:
Bearmn56
Montana Territory
Why medium to fast shotgun powders
Blaster,
Most, but not all, of the fast to medium fast shotgun powders are less sensitive to real cold weather....as compared to blue dot and similar powders. I understand that single based powders are less sensitive to cold than double based powders.
In any case, a shotgun slug is good to about 150 yards max. Yeah, I know some people are claiming 165-175 yards with some of the sabot designs. My own experience with the shot gun slug's rainbow trajectory is probably closer to 100yards. Furthermore, where I hunt (even Montana has hunting areas where shotguns, muzzle loaders and "traditional handguns" are required)with a shotgun, 98% of all shots are 100 yds or less.
Even at 1300fps muzzle velocity a 500+ grain slug..of any type...with it's flat (er) nose and huge frontal area has plenty of killing power for deer.
The reason that I would like to use these powders is to provide a more consistent muzzle velocity over the full specturm of temperatures as found here during the hunting season. Even if my handloads, using the faster powders, are slower than most commercial slugs at 50-70 degrees farenheight, they should still have a much lower loss of velocity in much colder temperatures. My experience with some of the commercial slugs has been a noticeably reduced muzzle velocity (as measured by noticeably lower recoil) with a lower point of impact...sometimes accompanied with a huge muzzle flash.
Anyway........lots of words to explain my reasoning......[smilie=l:
Bearmn56
Montana Territory
Slug loads in ACTIV hulls
As I noted in the first post in this thread, I have a quantity of ACTIV hulls....both 2 3/4" and 3". I would like to use these up first. They also seem to work exceptionally well using a roll crimp. Maybe the question I should be asking is this: What shotshell hull(S) have the same internal capacity as the ACTIV? Theoretically, I should be able to use load data for the similar hull and achieve similar results and use up the ACTIV hulls.
Also, thanks Blaster and Tommygirl for your technical explanations....I am a retired "techie type" and like to see the theory and numbers behind my choices.
I will have to get out AFTER all of the hoopala around Black Friday....don't want to get trampled........[smilie=l:, and find some Fed 209A and the WSF and Steel. I have a quantity of Longshot that I use for handgun loads in my Taurus .44 Mag snubbie........(200gr Gold Dots @ 1150fps in 2"barrel). Although a little slower, this might be a powder to explore. One other thing...this is for you Tommygirl......I notice that you and others have recommended harder alloys in casting slugs.......Is this primarily intended to reduce distortion at setback when the slug is fired? ......allowing the slug to maintain its shape better and offer a more consistent ballistic shape on the way to the target?
Bearmn56
Montana Territory