Harvester BCR vs RCR

[rangeball]

What is the primary difference between these sabots? On harvester's site, they list the red as for "smokeless", but not the black, yet many seem to shoot the BCR to speed successfully.

Is the base thicker on the RCR? Loaded dimensions the same assuming same bullet?

Thanks

[rrbou]

RCR has thicker pettles (for smaller dia. bullet)

[rexxer]

Rangeball-rrbou is correct,most guys shoot the bcr with the .458 bullets like the BO and others!

[rangeball]

Thanks. Funny their website doesn't mention this, just one is for smokeless seems to be the only difference.

[onecardchuck]

rrbou and rexxer are correct.

The only reason they are labeled for smokeless is due to the larger barrel diameter you need thicker petals for a .451 - .452 bullet using the RCR. I actually called harvester and talked with them about these and they stated the green, black, and red are all formulated from the same material. The only difference is the petal size for different size bullets in different barrel diameters.

[rangeball]

Interesting. So the GCR for .44 bullets is up to smokeless pressure as well? Base thickness is the same on all the CRs?

They mention on their site that they sell the RCR for .50/.44, but don't list them for sale and I've not found them anywhere else.

[onecardchuck]

You have to remember that the black crush rib is designed for .451 and .452 bullets in other muzzleloaders not the Savage. Not all but alot of Savage users need the RCR for a .451 and .452 bullet, and use the BCR for .458 size bullets not what it was originally intended for. I have read some posts where guys have used the green, but I am not sure with what bullet and what kind of success.

Below is the link to harvesters web site RCR purchase page they are 8.99 plus a big shipping fee.
www.harvestermuzzleloading.com/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=48&category_id=7&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=3&vmcchk=1&Itemid=3

I know many have searched for them online and find the samething 7 - 9 dollars a pack and then a huge shipping fee.

If you want some of these my local gun shop just started carrying them at 7 dollars a pack, and I could get you what you need and mail them to you in a padded envelop for probably 2 or 3 bucks. Let me know if you can't find them anywhere and you want me to get them for you as the gun shop and the post office are only a few miles from my house and it is no trouble at all. I am doing the same for another fella to. I do not mind helping out a fellow savage man.

[Deleted]

I've found Midsouth to be the cheapest place to get Harveter sabots, both red and black crushed rib.
Zen

[onecardchuck]

The only problem with midsouth is if you only want sabots then you pay more in shipping and surcharge than the actual sabots. If you need other stuff from them and the sabots then that is a great way to go and average the shipping over your other items. I am more than willing to help out anyone who just wants to get the sabot to try and they already have everything else they need.

[DHinMN]

I have shot the 44/50 Harvester sabots item #H5044G, with the Hornady 265 grain bullets, item #4300. I do it because it is a tough rifle bullet. I like to move it along at about 2350 fps. That is what Hornady loads them at in their 444 Marlin light magnum cartridge. I did shoot one deer with it and it does shatter bones and go on through. Accuracy is average at around 1 1/2" . Some times better and some times two together and one a little further out. I was going to try to tweak the load this winter but I have between 2 to 5 ft of snow on my range so I haven't done any shooting. The sabots work fine. The green crush rib sabot is too loose. Just the green high pressure sabots fit the better of the two. I got them from Midsouth. DH

[onecardchuck]

DHinMN,
Thanks for the info on the green sabot. I think my gun shop only carries everything in crush rib which you state is to loose for that bullet. It sounds like the only ones I want to deal with on this board are the black and red. Great info.