Maven
04-09-2009, 04:47 PM
All, I'd been reading very good things about MMP sabots on another forum and decided to try a few, but with CB's instead of the pricey j-word bullets. As MMP offers sabots in various diameters, I decided to try those made for .429" -.430" bullets (green, 4 petal) as well as those made for .458" bullets (orange, 4 petal). I used loose BP, 70grs. Goex FFg with the .430" CB's and 80grs. with the .458" CB's, ignited by CCI #11 caps.
CB's used: Lee TL-240 SWC; RCBS 250-Keith SWC (green sabot); Lee 340gr. CB sized to .458" (orange sabot); Remington 350gr. HP's purchased a long time ago for my .45-70.
Rifle: Knight Bighorn with a Williams receiver sight, fired from a rest @ 50 yds. and damp swabbed after every shot.
Results, .430" CB's (WW's + 1% Sn): The RCBS Keith CB was the clear winner since I was able to put 5 touching. The Lee TL's shot OK, but weren't nearly as accurate as the Keith. Btw, the RCBS Keith and Lyman #429421 out perform the Lee TL in my Ruger SBH too.
Results, .458" Lee 340gr. and Remington (?) 350gr. HP's: Grouping was within 3" @ 50 yds. for both projectiles, but I was able to put two almost in the same hole with the j------d bullet. Both of these need to be retested maybe with 70grs. FFg.
Overall, I'm pleased with the sabots, but think a Maxi-Ball or a patched round ball is what I'll feed the Bighorn once I run out of sabots. Here's a link to MMP's website in case you'd like to try them too: www.mmpsabots. com
CB's used: Lee TL-240 SWC; RCBS 250-Keith SWC (green sabot); Lee 340gr. CB sized to .458" (orange sabot); Remington 350gr. HP's purchased a long time ago for my .45-70.
Rifle: Knight Bighorn with a Williams receiver sight, fired from a rest @ 50 yds. and damp swabbed after every shot.
Results, .430" CB's (WW's + 1% Sn): The RCBS Keith CB was the clear winner since I was able to put 5 touching. The Lee TL's shot OK, but weren't nearly as accurate as the Keith. Btw, the RCBS Keith and Lyman #429421 out perform the Lee TL in my Ruger SBH too.
Results, .458" Lee 340gr. and Remington (?) 350gr. HP's: Grouping was within 3" @ 50 yds. for both projectiles, but I was able to put two almost in the same hole with the j------d bullet. Both of these need to be retested maybe with 70grs. FFg.
Overall, I'm pleased with the sabots, but think a Maxi-Ball or a patched round ball is what I'll feed the Bighorn once I run out of sabots. Here's a link to MMP's website in case you'd like to try them too: www.mmpsabots. com