.newbie Question??Round ball,or Sabot??
- Thread starter turkey45
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MCgunner
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I always believed the big conical was the way to go. .44s are a known, they work, but the big conical of full .50 caliber out of my Hawkin Hunter Carbine is pretty impressive looking.
But, I've read a lot on this site about the killing power of the round ball. Not sure why a round ball should be that good at killing over a conical, but I've got an open mind. I've got no hunting experience with round ball, though, so I yield to those who do. I STILL think the big conical would be hard to beat, though.
Now, my Hawkin Hunter Carbine has a twist rate of 1:25 which is quite fast. It shoots Saboted 240 grain .44 pistol bullets and really heavy 385 grain hollow pointed Hornady conicals really well. I've tried lighter conicals and I suppose they over stabilize because I can't hit squat with 'em. Balls? Forget it.
I now want a 1:66 twist gun to shoot balls or perhaps a 1:48. Got a friend with a 1:48 gun and it's pretty accurate with light conicals and patched balls. I still like the hunter carbine, though, for hunting. Those heavy conicals are pretty awesome. I am quite confident they'd stop a good sized boar or whatever I wanted to whack with 'em.
That probably didn't directly answer your question, but it's some thoughts on the subject.
But, I've read a lot on this site about the killing power of the round ball. Not sure why a round ball should be that good at killing over a conical, but I've got an open mind. I've got no hunting experience with round ball, though, so I yield to those who do. I STILL think the big conical would be hard to beat, though.
Now, my Hawkin Hunter Carbine has a twist rate of 1:25 which is quite fast. It shoots Saboted 240 grain .44 pistol bullets and really heavy 385 grain hollow pointed Hornady conicals really well. I've tried lighter conicals and I suppose they over stabilize because I can't hit squat with 'em. Balls? Forget it.
I now want a 1:66 twist gun to shoot balls or perhaps a 1:48. Got a friend with a 1:48 gun and it's pretty accurate with light conicals and patched balls. I still like the hunter carbine, though, for hunting. Those heavy conicals are pretty awesome. I am quite confident they'd stop a good sized boar or whatever I wanted to whack with 'em.
That probably didn't directly answer your question, but it's some thoughts on the subject.
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Low Key
Member
You have to take a lot of variables into account on killing power. Range, shot placement, etc. The sabot is going to out do the round ball at longer range and will also give greater penetration at any range, but close up...dead is dead and either will get er done.
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