Pushing sabots through..

[wooly]

I decided to pull the breach plug and push the last round I loaded through instead of firing the gun after my last hunt.

I got the barrel cleaned good and proceeded to reload in advance of my next hunt using the same sabot and bullet I had pushed through initially.

When I set the round on the end of the muzzle and applied the slightest pressure to the ramrod, the load slid effortlessly down the barrel like a stripper on a greasy pole all the way to where it bottomed out on the charge.

 

I'm not going to take this load to the woods now not knowing how it'll shoot, but I am wondering what kind of crazy inaccuracy I'll get from this shot just so I know in the future for whatever reasons.

Any of you guys ever try the same and want to fill me in how this story ends in advance?

[sbuff]

No point of impact difference for me using a crush rib sabot and xtp or deep curl bullet. I have even done it with conicals and had no different poi ..

[nyslowhand]

Sabots are all about the gas seal. Reusing one that has rifling marks in it, is asking for trouble. You can buy the plastic jackets and then reuse the projectile with them.

[sbuff]

I have tested over 200 crush ribs with no poi difference, maybe mmp sabots react different. What type of sabot is it.

[nyslowhand]

Are you referring to the same scenario Wooly had issues with, re-using sabots after being loading once? Believe the plastic jacket is the issue.

[sbuff]

I have never had a issue reloading the sabot when taken out from the breech plug. Nor have I seen an impact difference. Just my two cents.

[landtracdeerhunter]

Plastic jackets should never be used more than once with grease pole strippers.

[wooly]

50 cal.Hornady SST 250gr

I'm not sure if any difference will show up on paper at my 50yd range.

I was more concerned with what nyslowhand mentioned about the loose seal.

It went down so easy, I almost expected it to slide out when I pointed the barrel at the ground and gave it a shake.

 

[sbuff]

I never have seen that issue, the rifling would have to engage in the same exact spot. Maybe the oils from cleaning, possible different sabot... We're they pre packaged sst or bought bullet and sabot separate. I think if pre packaged they are mmp sabots . Maybe mmp hph Ez 3p but I can not be 100% sure on that one.

Edited November 19, 2014 by sbuff

[wooly]

Pre-packed box of 20.

I was just curious.

Been shooting them for a few years now, but I usually just go with a new plastic jacket when I push one through and throw the old one away.

Then I started piling up a bunch of actual projectiles, but now running short on jackets. This is the first time I've ever re-loaded the whole shot twice.

I'll see what happens tomorrow. I'm guessing I wont notice anything on paper, but maybe velocity will be affected which I'll have no way of recording.

[greensider]

i have re used them after  i pushed them out with no problems

[wooly]

i have re used them after  i pushed them out with no problems

The sabots, or the greasy strippers,lol

Edited November 19, 2014 by wooly

[nyslowhand]

Enough input, here's the real "kicker". You've been sitting in a blind/tree for hours, even days or weeks and when the opportunity presents itself on a good deer.....Do you have faith in what you're using?? By no means am I a spend thrift, but I will not reuse sabots or mechanical BHs. At least where I hunt, these encounters are not that common and I'd prefer not to use one as a learning experience. Doesn't Hornady sell bulk pkgs of just the plastic jackets?

[wooly]

I hear ya .

It's been snowing here all day and I've been locked down in the house letting my imagination get the best of me.

I've got about 300 rounds here, so I really don't need to experiment, but I see no harm finding out what happens on paper.

Even if I don't notice any difference in POI, I'd still load a fresh un used round before ever hitting the woods to hunt with. I'm not the kind of guy to take chances like that on living creatures I intend to kill with one shot.

[nyslowhand]

Idle minds, huh? Greased strippers...really, dude! LOL. Sounds like an off season experiment brewing with sabots. Possibly a quick question to Hornady about a replacement sabot for your "once loaded" SSTs might  be the economical answer you're looking for.

[sbuff]

Mmp makes sabots for Hornady. Google it and give Del a call.

[wooly]

Mmp makes sabots for Hornady. Google it and give Del a call.

 

Just did.

I honestly never realized I had options, but that's probably because I've never had an issue with them being loaded the first time.

For $9 a bag of 50, I'll grab a bag of the standard replacements I've been using, and I'll pick up a bag od the HPH to mess around with in the off season just for kicks.

Thanks for the heads up!

I'll get this round sent down the range today and then get a fresh load down the barrel before I hit the woods again.

Edited November 19, 2014 by wooly

[sbuff]

Well check out harvesters sabots too. Their crush rib is very popular as some think they are made ofbetter polymer s then mmp. Buying seperate in bulk if far cheaper then pre package, same for bullets

[jjb4900]

I always throw them out and start with new one.........if something goes wrong with your next shot you'll be questioning the decision to use the old sabot for a long time, not worth it as far as I'm concerned.

[nyslowhand]

I always throw them out and start with new one.........if something goes wrong with your next shot you'll be questioning the decision to use the old sabot for a long time, not worth it as far as I'm concerned.

Just a thought, but think the more appropriate word would be; regretting.

Edited November 20, 2014 by nyslowhand