Reloading Sabots?

[larphred]

We would like to load some 62 g. .224 cal projectiles in sabots and shoot from .308 cal rifles. Where do you find reloading data for sabot loads?

[W.E.G.]

http://www.eabco.com/Reports/report04.html

[deerollman]

please report once you have your load figured out. i might want to play with this one day. thanks

[W.E.G.]

The real turn-off for me with sabots is the issue of uncertainty as to how long the plastic will retain its integrity sufficient to withstand the pressures of firing.

Its just plastic. It can't last forever - like copper and lead.

When it fails you could very well end up with a ring of degraded plastic in the barrel. The next shot could be REAL interesting.

[akajun]

Originally posted by W.E.G.
The real turn-off for me with sabots is the issue of uncertainty as to how long the plastic will retain its integrity sufficient to withstand the pressures of firing.

Its just plastic. It can't last forever - like copper and lead.

When it fails you could very well end up with a ring of degraded plastic in the barrel. The next shot could be REAL interesting.
Remington makes accelerator ammo that is somewhere around 4000fps. Ive never had a failure, nor ever heard of one. Plus major ammo companies are so liability concerned that if they didnt work/safe I dont think they would make them.

I shoot a 45 cal muzzleloader with sabot ammo in front of 3 pellets of triple seven. I pick up the sabots at the range and never noticed them torn up or melted.

I have never reloaded them though as the cost factor of bullets plus sabots makes it the same as 308 bullets. Someone gave me 3 boxes of the remington 3006 stuff so I sot it for the brass.

[BUFF]

I've got a couple of boxes of Remington Accellerators from the early 1980's. The sabots seem just fine as the bullets are still secure. For some reason I don't recall, I was fiddling with them a week or so ago.

Larphred actually shoots his stuff, so I don't think age-related deterioration would be a factor for him.

Well, age-related deterioration AS FAR AS RELOADING COMPONENTS GOES!

Gettin older sucks, eh Larphred?! (note to self: learn to add smilies to posts.)

[hagar]

My experience with them, unless you use something like the Speer 52 grain (gaping) hollowpoint, they don't separate reliably. I tried the Hornady 60 grainers and they sucked. The only bullet I could get to shoot well out of my 30/06 was the 52 Speer. I used Accurate 2230 powder as far as I remember.

If you do find a good load, let me know. The Remington factory accelerators shot very well, I just could never duplicate them with my handloads. They turn a coyote into red mist almost as well as a 75 grain 25/06 bullet moving at 3700 feet/sec!

[jerrymrc]

unless you use something like the Speer 52 grain (gaping) hollowpoint

I got some of those.:eek: Did not do too well out of the SAR3 but you know how the hobby is.... Spend another $50 to save $15

[Nightops]

Originally posted by larphred
We would like to load some 62 g. .224 cal projectiles in sabots and shoot from .308 cal rifles. The slower twist rate of .308 barrels may have trouble stabilizing a 62gr projectile. It might work with a 1:10 twist but I doubt at 1:12 would do it

[daschnoz]

The sabot "flowers" as it leaves the barrel. I have managed to recover a couple of sabots after firing. They hold together quite nicely. Off hand, I know I loaded Reloader-7 behind them. Exactly how much, I can't remember.

DO NOT SHOOT SABOT LOADS FROM A RIFLE WITH A MUZZLE DEVICE!!!!! A flash hider, muzzle brake, etc. will "catch" she sabot as it flowers. Things can get really ugly from there. I imagine a ported barrel would be ok though, but don't quote me on that.

[larphred]

Gettin older sucks, eh Larphred?!
What was your name again, sonny? What were we talking about? Where's my glasses? I gotta pee? Somebody turn off that alarm clock? Oh Oh, I just farted, whoops that's messy.

[ggiilliiee]

ya may find most of the linear polymers used in the sabbots are tougher than the bullet ...and more heat resistant than (17 brinnel ) hardness lead bullets .

ive shot 22 cal loaded in 30 m1 carbine....made a mess out of a milk jug at 100 ....friend loads 180 gr 30 cal bullets sabboted in his barret 50 at 5200 fps (no typo)and it has a 2 foot suppressor on it ...no problems .frikn tac driver too ..
wanted to add the biggest problem you will have is if you have a rifle that slams bullets into the ramp like a runaway 65 buick (that covers 99% of ya ) as robo cop says ....there will be trouble...they wont take that ...

[ggiilliiee]

akajun ....your using the pelet propellant ..in the musket ....???...whats your opine on the stuff ..does it have the same thunder as fff black powder ..i have a thompson .50 bp i shoot when i have the patience ..he he....the only thing i cant handle is the fargin smell ...of the fff ....any info will be apprecieated

[akajun]

Originally posted by ggiilliiee
akajun ....your using the pelet propellant ..in the musket ....???...whats your opine on the stuff ..does it have the same thunder as fff black powder ..i have a thompson .50 bp i shoot when i have the patience ..he he....the only thing i cant handle is the fargin smell ...of the fff ....any info will be apprecieated

While Ive never chronyed it , i do notice extra recoil when using pellets as compared to loose powder. I started off using Pyrodex but now use either Clean Shot or triple seven cause it cleans up easier and you can go a few days without cleaning. Still has some smell, just not as bad. Give it a try.