Scorpion PT Gold

[encore50a]

Does anyone have any good data from shooting these bullets? If so, how were they with long range accuracy? How consistent are they for grouping? Have you harvested with them and if so, how well did the bullet perform?

I shot a few that were sent as samples, which I shot using the X-Mark Pro trigger. Now that that's been replaced with the Timney, I thought I'd try them again and ordered 100 this morning along with 200 H5045 LB sabots. I intend to purchase some 290gr flat base Barnes to try, thus the extra 100 sabots.

[biddler2]

I have taken a few deer with both the 260 and 300 and they have performed fine. I push the 300 grain in a harvester smooth black with 77 grains by weight of BH209 in my Traditions LDR to 2006 fps. They are accurate in both of my rifles. They mushroom instead of peel like a Barnes but I have had good blood trails.
I recently performed a water jug test at 200 yards and it blasted through the three jugs and was lost in the back stop. I found a small piece of copper jacket in the third jug so I know it deformed, just don't know how much. I plan on repeating the test.
The best price I have found is from Ed's gun shop in Vass NC and the do ship.

[encore50a]

I'll be pushing them at about 2,400fps from the Ultimate. When I ordered and talked with them (Allen?) yesterday, he told me that some of the very front petals will most likely break off.

Thanks for the report.

[biddler2]

That is fairly fast but IMHO it is a great all around bullet and I haven't found a better bullet for the money. Some others like Barnes work really well but are about $1 more per shot. When punching paper the PT gold is my choice and if I had to hunt with it I'm satisfied. Good luck

[GMB54-120]

Ive shot them over 2200fps in the ULA. They seemed fine and shot great.

[encore50a]

Thanks for the replies.  I'll give them a good try and find out what they can do.  I'll be shooting the Barnes 290gr T-EZ flat base bullet when I get my hands on a package or two.  I'll throw the supplied sabots that come with the Barnes and use the H5045 LB, which will hold up to the pressures of the charge.

[Deleted]

they hit with authority thats for sure. Carlos sells them for $19 per 50.

[encore50a]

Wasn't happy with groups at 300yds. Disappointing actually. I then put up a target at 100yds and other than the shorter range, they were still disappointing. After a dozen rounds total, I packed up and left the club for home. Once home I lowered a couple charges by 5grs and shot on my 100yd range. There was no significant change of how they shot.

I used the Harvester H5045 LB sabot, which is the sabot used with the 300gr SST.  Rather it was the difference between the .452" SST or the .451" PT, I don't know. I'll call Harvester next week and maybe they have a tighter high pressure sabot I can try.

[biddler2]

If SST shot good with the same sabot try knurling the PT to bring it up some for a better fit. They also have the shorter version of the smooth black or the red crush rib. I know the red is for smokeless but if you think it is pressure it would handle more.

[encore50a]

Jul 12, 2014 14:53:50 GMT -5 biddler2 said:

If SST shot good with the same sabot try knurling the PT to bring it up some for a better fit. They also have the shorter version of the smooth black or the red crush rib. I know the red is for smokeless but if you think it is pressure it would handle more.

That's a good idea and I'll have to knurl a few and shoot them here on my range........ its close to home   Thank you!  Easily done and something I can try while calling about a different sabot.  I may try the short black I have with the BE's with the Gold.  I want to witness exactly how good the bullet can shoot and what I pick up after shooting them, which will give me a better idea how they will react on game.

My preferred hunting bullet is a Barnes, of which I need to get my hands on a couple packages of the 290 T-EZ bullets, of course replacing the sabots.  When talking to Randy Johnston, he said they shot extremely well with the H5043 LB sabots.

[biddler2]

I've read about trimming the sabot with with fingernail clippers to get it just above the taper. It would be the same as the shorter ones and if it worked you could order them. I like the Barnes for hunting too but hate using them for target shooting. This is where the PT's are great and they work as a hunting bullet. Mushroom like XTP's but have a much better BC.

[encore50a]

Harvester was happy to send two different sabots for me to try in the Ultimate, with their Scorpions. MMP sent a sample also.

Sadly neither of the three provided any kind of accuracy at 200yds today. One sample Harvester shot 5" high and 8" right. The second sample shot exactly the opposite (8" left). The MMP was all over the place.

[yule]

I recently worked up loads for 2 guns that are going to New Mexico , this fall , for elk. Both will shoot the 300 PT Gold at MOA , out to 300 yards. Load is 84 g of BH209 (weighed) , wool wad , 45 cal PT Gold sized to .449
I have not shot this load through the chrono , but expect it to be close to 2000 fps.

[encore50a]

Jul 24, 2014 14:42:01 GMT -5 yule said:

I recently worked up loads for 2 guns that are going to New Mexico , this fall , for elk. Both will shoot the 300 PT Gold at MOA , out to 300 yards. Load is 84 g of BH209 (weighed) , wool wad , 45 cal PT Gold sized to .449
I have not shot this load through the chrono , but expect it to be close to 2000 fps.

I just need the correct sabot and they should shoot fine.  Just haven't found that magic combination yet.  I was shooting 100grs weighed BH.  I fired off a VME to Allen at Harvester late this afternoon, hoping to hear something tomorrow for his next suggestion.  Worse case, I go back to the 300gr SST.

[biddler2]

Yule you are fairly close it might be a little higher. My LDR with the longer barrel pushes that load minus the wool wad between 2078-2100 fps. It had more spread than the 77 grain load which was 2000-2006 fps. I might have to try the wool was under the sabot especially in the heat which is when KS muzzleloader season is. I think heat was a factor with the heavy load but for comparison both velocities were from the same trip to the range.

[encore50a]

Allen is sending the RED sabots out today.......

[pooldoc]

At the start of this season, I decided to switch from Hornady's 300 gr. SST to Harvester's 300 gr. PT Gold, I use 110 grs. BH 209,a Federal 209A Primer and Black Harvester Crush Rib Sabots. After two trips to our West Texas lease, I'm more than pleased and very impressed with the performance of the PT Gold. This last week that combo accounted for a 250 lb. 28" Aoudad Ram. a 3/4 curl Corsican Ram; a cull WT buck and a large fallow doe. Thanksgiving week I nailed a 140 class 19 pt WT. All were one shot kills and except for the big WT buck, which made about 15 yds, all dropped at the point of impact. I was able to recover the bullet that killed the Aoudad just under the hide on the off side after breaking his spine. It was in 2 pieces that were touching. Total weight was 237 grs. Accuracy has never been an issue with this load and the terminal performance in the field speaks for itself. I'm sold,

[yule]

Thanks for the update. Glad to hear the positive results. Great shooting.....