What bullet?

[vanstg]

This question is for the sabot shooters / hunters.
I have shot deer and hog with .50 cal PRB and .270 centerfire rifle. But never used sabots. This year I'm planning on using a .50 cal in-line loaded with sabot, just to try something different.
What bullets do you guys like / recommend? Is a hard lead .44 cal 240gr SWC bullet good for hunting deer and hog? Or should I go for the jacketed hollow point bullets? Your comments will be appreciated.
Thanks,
Vanstg

 

[roundball]

I hunted with an MK-85, using 100grns Pyrodex RS (both loose and pellets) with the MMP black sabot and Hornady
.45cal 300grn XTP-HP...took several bucks with that combination and it always dropped them where they stood with a high shoulder shot.
One big 8-pointer was 165 yds away along the edge of a bean field, and he just collapsed where he stood, still have the bullet...it's as perfect a complete peeled back, flattened out mushroom as you've seen photos in catalogs...at least as wide as a quarter and totally intact...tremendous bullet.

 

[Rocky Johnson]

Vanstg - I like the 300 gr hornady sabots like Roundball but the 240 gr.pistol bullits work also. Try shooting them both and see if there is any difference in accuracy in your rifle. Rocky /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

I prefer leaded sabots for 100 grain max powder loads. If shooting magnum powder charges, the copper-clad sabots are more effective. I prefer poly-tipped ones for longer distances -- hollow-points for shorter. The problem with hard-cast sabot bullets is their tendency to not expand & hour-glass/go sideways/keyhole...etc.. with powder charges as low as 80 grains.

Another problem with sabots is their possible meltdown when using 777 powder... primarily FFF powder. PR Bullets are top-tier... yet their thickest, looser-fit 40cal/50cal plastic sabots fail with hot & heavy 777 FFF powder & PR's top-tier poly tipped sabot/bullets create heavy bore-leading problems with the same powder/grain combo.

Ya' gotta' ECKS-PAIR-A-MINT with ya' gun furst''' cuz thair awl de-Frint.

 

[Plains99]

When you move up from the 240 or 260-grain jacketed or pure lead bullet in a sabot to the 300-grain, you will notice a dramatic difference in performance on deer sized game. I like the 300-grain XTP with powder charges around the 100 grain mark. I have always gotten better groups from the 300 as well.

 

[vanstg]

Thanks guys!

I've heard lots of good things about the 300gr XTP bullet. Will give it a try.

I just got a box of Buffalo bullets (385gr, hollow point, hollow base). Will try them out next time I hit the range. Will start with 70gr of pyro and go from there. If my rifle likes the Buffalo conical, that might be a good option as well.


Vanstg