What's better Sabot/bore size soft lead

[Lead ball 54]

I am a fan of 54cal bore size soft lead conicals but never really looked at penetration test between them and all the Sabots you can shoot so I will ask for all your opinions and go from there I know my 1in48 twist isn't great for most Sabots how ever it will surprise you on the short squaty ones thanks

[huntnnw]

in sabots are you talking the likes of Barnes,power belts etc?

[Lead ball 54]

Don't know a lot about Sabots or Powerbelts aren't Powerbelts basically bore size with a plastic base

[huntnnw]

comes to penetration there isn't even a comparison between Barnes and a all lead bullet. I did a lot of penetration tests over the years with many bullets to see how bullets held up and weight retention.

[Dan-o]

I shoot a 400 grain hard cast HARVESTER lead bullet with a sabot.

They penetrate like nobody's business and leave an absolutely devastating wound channel.

I am sold and couldn't imagine a better elk round.

One man's opinion......

These bad boys:
https://www.harvestermuzzleloading.com/products/hardcast

Penetration and wound channel are unreal.

[Pete112288]

I shoot a 400 grain hard cast HARVESTER lead bullet with a sabot.

They penetrate like nobody's business and leave an absolutely devastating wound channel.

I am sold and couldn't imagine a better elk round.

One man's opinion......

These bad boys:
https://www.harvestermuzzleloading.com/products/hardcast

Penetration and wound channel are unreal.

Make that 2 men's opinion.
I shoot the 330 grain ones not the 400s though. Still, could not be happier. With 90 grains of 777 I can shoot 1 - 2 inch groups at 100 yards and both bulls I have killed in the last 2 years were complete pass through shots. 1 was 130 yards, 1 was 155 yards. Both fell where they stood as well. And trust me, I am not a crazy good shot on a normal basis, just that these things coupled with my gun seem to make it easy.

[Lead ball 54]

Okay great will they shoot in a 1 in 48" twist barrel 54 cal

[Lead ball 54]

What about TCs Maxi Ball I heard they penatrait very well also

[kselkhunter]

I shoot the Beartooth 325gr hardcast lead bullet in a sabot.  It's designed for penetration and won't shatter when impacting bone. 

For those that want some expansion instead of a full hard cast bullet, similar to a partition concept, with Beartooth because of it's specific metallurgy you can even anneal the tip of the bullet (reduces the annealed portion to BHN of 11) to have expansion at the tip with the hard cast rear still in tact (BHN of 21).  https://www.beartoothbullets.com/tips/archive_tips.htm/21

Edit:
Sorry missed that you're shooting 54 cal.  So you'd need the MMP White sabot or equivalent from T/C to shoot these 325gr Beartooths. 

[Lead ball 54]

Okay great has anyone shot these in a 1 in 48 twist barrel?

[kselkhunter]

@sabotloader

I've seen him answer this 1 in 48 twist question on other forums, and he has shot sabotted bullets in his 1 in 48 twist rifles without issue.  But rather than copy what he posted on the other forums, I'll let him give his advice himself. 

[boneaddict]

Traditionally, sabots shoot great out of a 1 - 48, but i believe it works better with lighter loads and shorter bullets.  Its more about matching the length with the twist than anything.    I dont have any personal experience with them as I am shooting #2 lyman lead round or conical. 

[Harleysboss]

I have shot sabots in my 1-48 54 cal Lyman Trade Rifle. Shot pretty darn good right at 2" for a 5 shot group. Keep the bullet length on the short side and weight at or around 300 grns and you should get good performance. MMP sells a purple 54x50 sabot. There is also a 54 sabot for 54x45 cal bullet.  If you cast you can play with lead hardness and bullet design.

[Dan-o]

Okay great will they shoot in a 1 in 48" twist barrel 54 cal

That is what I shoot......   Just because I got a 54 before they became uncool.

My sons all have 50 cals.

We all shoot the same bullet - just different sabots.

[Dan-o]

I shoot the Beartooth 325gr hardcast lead bullet in a sabot.  It's designed for penetration and won't shatter when impacting bone. 

For those that want some expansion instead of a full hard cast bullet, similar to a partition concept, with Beartooth because of it's specific metallurgy you can even anneal the tip of the bullet (reduces the annealed portion to BHN of 11) to have expansion at the tip with the hard cast rear still in tact (BHN of 21).  https://www.beartoothbullets.com/tips/archive_tips.htm/21

Edit:
Sorry missed that you're shooting 54 cal.  So you'd need the MMP White sabot or equivalent from T/C to shoot these 325gr Beartooths.

That's some cool info.

I don't know if I want to do it, but it just seems cool.

[kselkhunter]

I shoot the Beartooth 325gr hardcast lead bullet in a sabot.  It's designed for penetration and won't shatter when impacting bone. 

For those that want some expansion instead of a full hard cast bullet, similar to a partition concept, with Beartooth because of it's specific metallurgy you can even anneal the tip of the bullet (reduces the annealed portion to BHN of 11) to have expansion at the tip with the hard cast rear still in tact (BHN of 21).  https://www.beartoothbullets.com/tips/archive_tips.htm/21

Edit:
Sorry missed that you're shooting 54 cal.  So you'd need the MMP White sabot or equivalent from T/C to shoot these 325gr Beartooths.

That's some cool info.

I don't know if I want to do it, but it just seems cool.

My plan is to run some bullet tests and post the results of standard hard cast bullet and the partially annealed bullet.  Just gotta get the bullet test media together. 

[Lead ball 54]

Looking forward to your results