What are the advantages of going sabotless??

[southarkrob]

I have been reading about you guys going sabotless.. what are the advantages?? Do you have to use a die everytime?? My buddy bought a converted Apex from a member here and he was shooting 275 PMH and nothing was mentioned about a die?? Just kinda confused...

[bestill]

Apex 45/70 conversion with275 mh wont need a sizing die . They will load tight right on lands as they are.

[southarkrob]

Could I go sabotless with my 45/70 NEF conversion??

[bestill]

Imo multiple advantages to going sabotless but example with45 with sabot your basically limited to 2 bullets both being40 cal bullets at 200 and 195 grain . So shooting sabotless opens you up to many more bullet options in diameters of .451 to .452 and weights of 250 to 350 gr.
Sizing die is a very involved subject but basically allow you to custom fit bullet to each barrels land to land dimensions for improved accuracy.
In these smokeless builds and high pressure loads and fast twist 45s sabot is the weak link in a sabot load and will reduce accuracy.

[bestill]

I believe you could have converted but id suggest converting a apex. Hinge and lockup much better and factory adjustable trigger. Contact slufoot on board he done many break action conversions and be very helpful with info.

[Deleted]

each barrel is different, some like Mcgowen and most Apex barrels are large enough that a Match Hunter will fit without sizing but might be slightly oversize and need to be knurled so don't count on anything to hold true with every barrel.

remember that break action barrels are smaller profile than most custom barrels used on 700s & Savages so you need to load accordingly.

Sabotless has many advantages over using plastic

1.much higher bc bullets which effectively increases your range
2.many more bullets to choose from
3.great accuracy can be found with the right recipe

I too would agree on the apex BUT don't count on the bullet/barrel match being perfect. its no big deal to size bullets down with a sizing die, it just costs a little more up front..

[mike243]

I always see the advantages listed & never the disadvantages. for me shooting a 50 cal & not needing more than 200y for my realistic hunting area I prefer to have a load worked up with a sabot in order to still have a safety if I have too hot of a load during testing or hunting . I don't think I would ever during a hunt but testing powder charges blowing a petal off beats bulging a barrel . I know its pretty safe as long as you follow others leads but things happen

[deadeye]

don't be spooked by a sizing die-it simply downsizes the bullet to the fit you desire especially for accuracy for each & every barrel/bullet combo.

note-just recently playing with a new powder combo 327mh clays/h4198,after the switch the bullet loaded much harder after the change-net result- 4 marks smaller on my smooth die to get the fit back to the loading pressure I desire & what the barrel usually likes.

in sabotless I would not want to be without a smooth die/jmho

[jims]

There are mixed opinions about how much of a "relief valve" that a sabot provides. Certainly better to keep it under "certain" pressures with known quantities of specific powders.
I have found if the loads got hotter I did not gain much in speed for the increases of powder and accuracy can at times suffer with sabots.