[scythefwd]

Are the T/C shock waves in the black sabots hard to load for everyone or am I having a bad day? I can use the groups that my powerbuilts are giving me for hunting, but I am still experimenting. I got a box of 30 of the 250gr. shock waves for about $18 dollars, and I think I got a good deal, but man are they hard to stuff down that muzzle.

Are the shock waves really the sst's?

[scythefwd]

Also, anyone have pictures of a recovered one?

[arcticap]

You mentioned in another thread that it's a CVA Optima Elite.
If the sabots shoot well then they're worth being tough loading.
If not then the sabot can be substituted for one that's easier to load.
MMP makes sabots in different diameters and the Harvester crush rib sabots have slightly less resistance because of the rib design.
Unfortunately finding the right one is mostly a matter of trial & error.
Tapping them down the bore with a wooden or plastic mallet may help with loading.
How do they shoot?
Are you swabbing between shoots or applying any lube?


http://www.mmpsabots.com/

http://www.harvesterbullets.com/

[tango2echo]

I have the T/C Omega and the CVA Optima Elite. The Shockwaves are not any harder to load in either one. You should swab between shots if you are not already. It may also help to give the gun a thorough cleaning.

I'll post some pictures of a recovered 250gr Shockwave. I shot a decent sized whitetail at 87 yards with this one. It entered on the near shoulder, broke two ribs, took out the heart and lungs, broke five ribs on the far side, and went into a dirt embankment 20 yards farther downrange. It left a fist size hole in the dirt and a 2" exit wound in the deer. The deer dropped instantly. I have taken a number of deer with the 200gr and 250gr Shockwaves, as well as several big feral hogs from ranges of 50-280yrds. All were DRT.

t2e

[tango2echo]

http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/mm122/tango2echo/040.jpg
http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/mm122/tango2echo/038.jpg
http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/mm122/tango2echo/039.jpg

t2e

[scythefwd]

Guys,
I haven't taken them to the range yet. I got a pack and wanted to see how they "fit". I pushed a loaded sabot through the barrel, and then out the back through the breech plug. The gun is clean, so this wasn't a dirty barrel issue.

I do swab with a couple of patches between shots and I run a patch with bore butter down after that when I am firing. I bought them as I am still looking for what my gun likes right now. So far I am getting 3 inch groups at 100y, with 2 of 3 shots within 1/2 inch of each other and one flier.

[scythefwd]

Tango2echo,
That looks like it held together pretty well. What did it go through?

[tango2echo]

Explained in post above pictures.

Retained 206 grains of weight, btw.

t2e

[arcticap]

Other tips would be to use a good short starter and an extra stiff ramrod or range rod that provides better leverage to help make starting the sabot and ramming it home easier.
Buy or construct a rod with a good home made or after market handle to provide a better grasp.
Buy a thick hardwood dowel that's close to bore size at the hardware store or in the craft dept. at Walmart. Then drill a hole into a block of wood to attach and shape as a handle. A section of dowel can also be used to make a stout short starter.
If you don't have a handle on your ramrod, use a chunk of rubber or a piece of inner tube as a ramrod gripper.
Lastly, if hunting with a tight sabot, after the first shot is taken carry a looser projectile that will be easier to reload in the field for a follow up shot.
After the bore is dirty is when a Powerbelt or an MMP 3 Petal EZ sabot comes in handy. :)

[last to know]

I shoot the shockwaves (250gr) exclusivly in my oncore, yes they are the tightest sabots i have found but i can hold a 1.5" group (5 shots) at 100 meters.

[scythefwd]

articap,
I have what I consider a good short starter. It is the ball type with a "nub" on one side and a 3-4 inch starter on the other. I will be looking into a thicker range rod. I can make one of those very easily. It, and a good powder horn are still on my todo list. This year I am using pelletized pyrodex, but I will be looking at all the substitutes in powder form when I get the chance. I just don't have enough time to work up a load right now with BP season starting in 5 weeks. I have a weird shift, so I can only shoot every couple of weeks and I don't want to spook the deer too close to the season.

[arcticap]

A longer short starter of about 8 - 10 inches will start it deeper initally before needing to ram. At that depth the sabot may also be in a more comfortable position for ramming.
Use both starters and do it in steps. :)

[scythefwd]

Looking into making a .40 inch diameter range rod. Plan on drilling out the center a little to keep from damaging the plastic tips if I can find the right bit to do it with :).

This thing was tight the whole way down the barrel. It never felt like it got easier... which is a good thing. It lets me know my bore is pretty even in diameter.

On you suggestion for the Powerbelt after the shockwave.... two powerbelts without swabbing in a row are even a no go. I have to swab every shot or the PB will really fly wide and south IF they will even seat at all. It also becomes more difficult than I care to load. That is why I am shopping around and will be going loose powder after this season. I hear that the Black Mag3, 777, and blackhorn 209 leave less crud than the pyrodex that I am shooting now. Only time will tell for sure.

[Shultzhaus]

Shockwave also offers one called "Super Glide" which is supposed to load easier. I have good luck with Horandy's SST easy loads. I have not found any difference in accuracy, using either of the easier to load sabots. CVA Buckhorn loaded with 70g 777, and a Hornady SST will keep a group in a 3 inch circle at 50 yds.

[tango2echo]

The "superglide" isn't much easier to load IME, and cost twice as much in my area. The shoot exactly the same though.

t2e