? about Sabot/bullet fit for .50 cal

[Newtosavage]

Howdy,

I've been enjoying my Ruger 77/50 for about 5 years now. Killed a pile of deer with it so far and always enjoy range time with it as well. Typically I will use green crush-rib sabots and a pistol bullet, but wanted to see if the Hornady FTX bullets might group a little better for me.

I picked up a box of .45 caliber FTX's at Cabelas the other day, and realized that those won't fit with my green crush-rib sabots. It had been so long since I bought the bulk-packaged Remington bullets I've been using, that I forgot they were .44 caliber and not .45.

So my question is whether I need to just return these for .44 caliber bullets, or is there a sabot that will work with these .45 caliber bullets. I need to buy more sabots anyway, so I could go either way.

Thanks

 

[rodwha]

There are certainly sabots that will fit, though, if those are .458" .45's you'd need MMP.

Another thing is the .45 bullet itself. The impact velocity will determine which you'll want or what velocity you should push it at. Do you know which you have?

 

[Newtosavage]

I was able to find some crush-rib sabots (black) that are intended for .45 cal bullets, so that's probably what I need to get.

I purchased the 200-grain Hornady FTX (.452). It looks like they are loaded by Hornady for their. 460 Magnum handgun cartridge.

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/19...ameter-200-grain-flex-tip-expanding-box-of-50

 

[rodwha]

I've certainly been quite interested in various aerodynamic bullets for a muzzleloading rifle for shooting across fields and such, and Hornady is one of those I've often eyed.

Looking at the description I see it no longer contains the velocity parameters. If I'm not mistaken it didn't do so well below 1600 fps, but maybe that was the one for the .444 Marlin and/or .450 Bushmaster. You'll need to contact Hornady to see what they say as well as have an idea of your downrange ballistics and range. Hodgdon has a fair assortment of bullets.

 

[rodwha]

Quite frankly I'd prefer the one designed for the .44 Mag (higher SD and BC) over that one and the velocity obtained from a muzzleloader coincides quite nicely with a .44 Mag hunting pistol.

But I wouldn't necessarily give up on what you have unless it won't do well out at distance (it no doubt does fine up close), which for me was a max of 200 yds.

 

[rodwha]

Though they are a bit expensive the bullet/sabot combos (aerodynamic) are good, as are the full bore conicals. I've wanted something that I can zero at 175 yds keeping everything within 200 yds within an easy point blank system.

http://m.hornady.com/store/50-Cal

Right now what I have (I prefer to cast my projectiles) is both Lee REALs for the .50 cal. The 320 grn version has a BC of 0.189 and does well in my 1:48" twist with a felt wad and 70 grns of 3F which makes it somewhat similar to a .45-70 Gov't with a lighter bullet.

 

[Newtosavage]

I agree I should have gotten the .44 cal FTX - prob. in a 225 grain. Live and learn... I'll shoot these now that I have them, and I just ordered some black crush-rib sabots for .45 cal bullets. Hopefully that will do fine.

I don't ever plan to take a shot at a deer beyond 100 yards, even though I know the accuracy is there.

 

[rodwha]

If 100 yds is your max I'd think those would do well enough, and a high BC isn't even necessary.

A 0.490" ball weigh just 177 grns has a BC of 0.069 and still has little drop to 125 yds, though a good breeze will push it a bit too much.

 

[Newtosavage]

I should probably just leave well enough alone and use the Remington 240-grain semi jacket HP's I have now. Shot a fat spike the other day and at 80 yards, the round did a great job and impacted exactly where I was aiming. Can't ask for much more than that.

 

[rodwha]

Can't ask for more than that, and you shouldn't pay more to get no better results.

Quite frankly that's why I'm nearly chomping at the bit to try a patched .490" ball.

 

[Newtosavage]

Got my black Crush-Rib sabots in today. Fit the .45 cal FTX bullets and the bore perfectly. Trip to the range this weekend should be full of smoke!

 

[Newtosavage]

Haven't had a chance to shoot the 200 grain FTX in the black sabots yet, but I expect to on Saturday.

Meanwhile, last Sunday I put a 240-grain .44 cal Remington bullet through both shoulders of a doe at 150 yards (measured), within 2" of where I was aiming. She went about 50 yards. Makes me wonder why I bought the new bullets and sabots. LOL

Those 77/50 Rugers sure can shoot.

 

[Newtosavage]

200 FTX's shot great yesterday. 4 rounds at 100 yards went into a tidy 2" group. Can't ask for much better than that. For some reason, the chrono wouldn't pick up the velocity, so I'll try that again next session. Loading those 45 cal. bullets with the black sabots could not have been easier, which is very good.

 

[rodwha]

How far away did you set up? I've read that the smoke often messes with the reading, and then there's the possibility of it catching two projectiles (the sabot).

I'm not sure how far a sabot will travel but my patches were typically found anywhere from about 5-15 yds or so.

 

[Newtosavage]

About 15' from the bench. I've caught readings from my ML at that distance before, so I'm not sure why this time it didn't work. Oh well. I'll try it again next time.

I'd love to get those 200 grain FTX's moving about 2000 fps.

 

[4565950shooter]

I have shot the 240 from FTC in my Traditions Vortex but prefer the 200gr Hornady in it. I used to used a Remington Model 700m/l and it shot 3/4" groups with the 240 Ftx bullet. It was very deadly in deer, too. Use it, you won't be sorry!