sabotless question

[tiswell]

It has been a while since my last visit here. I have a Stainless Savage ML-II that, with the guidance of this forum I have rebarrelled with the DD Special .45 Pacnor. This rifle is just used for deer. Accuracy is generally very good but I have been thinking about going sabotless to eliminate the blown sabot issues and remove a variable. I have the barrel stub so I can go either land rider or full bore bullet swaging. Is one better than the other? Is there a choice that gives better bullet options? What are the best bullet options for both? any info would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks, Bill

[flatone]

Order a smooth sizing die from Luke at ASG. I see no benefit for full form sizing for deer hunting..... you should be sub MOA with a smooth sizing die. What more would you want?

[BuckDoeHunter]

I like to knurl my .451-.452 bullets and then Full Form size them. I figure why squeeze the whole bullet down when all I need to do is size for the rifling. I hunt with copper bullets and knurling them first also helps me see the FF rifling marks when I load them. I have gotten very good accuracy FF and Smooth Form sizing, I just prefer FF. If you have a FF die made, you can size .451 - .458 bullets, most likely not possible with a SF die. A SF die does make loading the bullet a little easier and the same die can be used for multiple rifles.

Bullets that I like to hunt with:

Barnes 250 and 290 grain TEZ
Bear Creek Ballistics 285 grain Ball Point
Barnes 275 grain XPB, 1st time using this year


250 grain TEZ knurled and FF sized for my Daughter's 45 Rem 700ML with a Pac-Nor barrel

[jims]

For me I found the smooth sizing worked and was easier to do overall than full form sizing.

[dannoboone]

If ever you plan to shoot .458 bullets, a full form die is a
must. If not, there are many who swear by a smooth form die.
They are getting fantastic accuracy with .451-.452 bullets.

I personally have only full form dies, but accuracy is no
better than those who use smooth form.

[tiswell]

Thanks to all that replied! I think I will try the smooth die based on your suggestions and bullet selection.


Thanks again, Bill

[sw]

If the primary reason is because of blowing sabots, something is wrong. This very morning Richard and I were talking and he said he shot over 3,200’/sec without sabot failure. I know I shot over 3,100 without failure. Something is wrong. I do not know of any advantage sabotless would provide for hunting. There may be some, I just don’t know what they are.

[tiswell]

I don't know that a blown sabot was my problem. I did have a couple shots that were unusual. One was on a deer that was hit but not found. The next shot at a test target was low, then the next was back where it should have been. This rifle/scope/load setup has been consistent for years until this. I thought by going sabotless and taking a component out of the mix I would be removing a variable.

[tedb]

Even though every thing has been fine. I recheck everything again. Never know when something shakes loose. Also check your tracking on the scope also known as shooting the box’s. You might of killed the scope