It is a real disappointment that we out here in California are being forced to use these alternatives in most of our hunting areas.
Even though some people here shutter at the idea of using plastic sabots, as far as I can tell I have no real problems using them and at least I can run some of those heavy Barnes Expanders to get more than enough knock down from my .54 side lock.
I would still prefer to run a pure lead conical from it like a minie or maxi, over a PRB in these lower weights.
I used to fire an occasional .451 copper and lead filled pistol bullets sabots from my .54, but the extra .50 caliber size and heavy weight in the BEs are close enough to a lead minie and makes a better hunting projectile than the older saboted bullets that I used to use.
I would think this would be somewhat important with a little extra insurance while hunting different game such as wild pigs, or bear.
I would just feel a little better about having that extra punch when in an area that contains alot of these animals.
From Zonie's ballistic description of about a 15% kinetic energy loss of the ITX compared to lead, it look as though the ITX's lighter projectile weights may be well suited to hunting medium to small game in the smaller calibers with low to moderate charges.
It still looks (at least in calculation) that these .50 caliber ITX round balls would be good enough for deer in slow twist rifles at ranges between to 50 to 90 yards.
Zonie, I am curious to how the trajectory drop comparisons over the different ranges came out in your figures?
Did the ITX round balls hold any significant difference compared to lead?
Which one shot flatter over the best average range?
I know real world results would be different, but at least it would be nice to know anyway.
