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,
Bearmn56
Montana Territory