Help with T/C Mag express sabots

[terje]

This is a question from a newcomer in Norway. I just received a box of T/C sabots. But i have big problems loading them. My T/C Hawken is very-very clean. And i just wonder how much pressure should be needed to push them down???....this is the first time trying the rifle with sabots.

Both the rifle & sabots are 50 cal :haha:

B/P shooter from Norway

 

[Tahquamenon]

Yep, sabots can be very tight fitting indeed depending on;
Your barrel and it's condition and it's bore tolerances, the sabot/bullet itself, the powder you are using and your overall maintenance procedures.

Don't lube sabots and ensure that your barrel is bone dry before loading. I have great success loading and accuracy with spit/alcohol/dry patches inbetween shots.

Also, don't expect great accuracy with heavier loads.
Sabots can to "skip" over the rifling if you push them too hard or if there is lube in the barrel.

You can get good accuracy with 1:48 twist rifling. Sabots tend to perform better with faster twist barrel rifling (1:32, 1:28 and faster twists per inch).

 

[cayugad]

Welcome to the forum... it's great to have you. As for your rifle, well the 1:48 twist will shoot sabots. Like said, keep the powder charge down. I find about 80 grains is a good place for them. Anymore powder then that, and they spray all over the place.

As also mentioned do not lube sabots. It will really effect the accuracy. You can take the sabot and wet it with your mouth just prior to loading. Then using the short starter get it down as far as it will go. A good strong range rod with a T-handle will help seat them. They do load tight in some rifles.

Your rifle might best be served with roundball and conicals, but good luck with the sabots...

 

[terje]

Thank you all for the answers...

Yes..i use the ramrod that came with the rifle. I think i have to go to the range this weekend and try the new tips.

It`s great to have a forum like this because there are not so many that use B/P in Norway...and it did not take many minutes to get an answer....thank you all

i`l keep you updated..

 

[irishjim]

That is a universal problem with all the TC Magnum Sabots in .50 caliber. The tight fit is due the .45 bullet they use and the thickness of their sabot. Bore butter helps a little but loading becomes nearly impossible after the barrel is fouled even if you swabbing & butter between shots

For easier loading try a .44 cal bullet with a sabot. Hornaday and several other companies offer them in all the popular weights and they shoot excellant groups.

:m2c:

 

[cayugad]

Something I found when trying to shoot sabots out of my Renegade and Hawkins rifles is, you can load the first one pretty easy, but unless you swab real well between shots you will never get the second one in that easy. The last thing you need is to get one stuck half way down the barrel and you can not seat it. Then it is air compressor time... ::

 

[bart_anastasi]

Muskmunder

If you are in Norway and there is no one out there to help I can see your problem as it happens here in New York all the time.

It should be noted that TC makes TWO different types of sabot the first is the traditional one piece plastic the other is a Three piece model you need to assemble..

Which one do you have? Their instruction manual talks about this fully.

My own experience with sabot some what parallels your experience but I found that a really clean barrel can mean different things to different people.

However

If you still have your T/C book you should review their instructions for shooting both styles of sabots if you no longer have it the company will send you one free.

According to their instructions a sabot is some what tight fitting

Meant for accuracy not speed of loading

Requires swabbing between shots as soot and fouling mess up a second shot if accuracy is your main goal.

Requires a dry barrel to work best as lube will mess up your accuracy

If your barrel is seasoned in that you have been using Bore Butter and not other lubes you may have to remove that seasoning.

Plastic fouling will accumulate on your rifling and this will need to be removed with a traditional solvent and bore brush so much for the natural approach.

By switching from a