For the SML guys

[hogpatrol]

Old dog still learning new tricks, especially from the 1K BR guys so I tried something with my Savage/PacNor/H.S. SML,3x9 Leupold multi fire dot, Burris insert rings. Bullets are Hornady .40 caliber 200 grain ML SSTs, primers are Federal 209, Harvester smooth blue sabots and powder is H4198. Have been shooting accurate hunting loads but groups have always been inconsistent, 3/4 to 1&1/2" at 100 meters. As a test, I weighed the bullets, powder, sabots and primers to two decimal places until I had all the exact same weight. Shot this group at 300 meters, first two touching, third less than 2" ctc. Next test will be with random primers, weights were all over the place with them, more than 1 grain, but don't know if that was powder or other part of the assembly.

 

[Bojo]

Pretty dam impressive for a smokepole. I thought my tc omega did well . I think I was in the 4" range at 200 if I remember correctly, 2007 when I bought it. Never shot a deer past 75 yards or so with it .

 

[hogpatrol]

My longest was a springbok in South Africa at 330 yards. I shot another at 294 yards.

Pretty dam impressive for a smokepole. I thought my tc omega did well . I think I was in the 4" range at 200 if I remember correctly, 2007 when I bought it. Never shot a deer past 75 yards or so with it .

My first inline was that same rifle. I killed a few deer with it before switching to a Savage smokeless.
Longest kill was 330 but have taken many others between 200 and 300. If you have chances for longer ranges, it's the bees knees.

 

[Immike]

Old dog still learning new tricks, especially from the 1K BR guys so I tried something with my Savage/PacNor/H.S. SML,3x9 Leupold multi fire dot, Burris insert rings. Bullets are Hornady .40 caliber 200 grain ML SSTs, primers are Federal 209, Harvester smooth blue sabots and powder is H4198. Have been shooting accurate hunting loads but groups have always been inconsistent, 3/4 to 1&1/2" at 100 meters. As a test, I weighed the bullets, powder, sabots and primers to two decimal places until I had all the exact same weight. Shot this group at 300 meters, first two touching, third less than 2" ctc. Next test will be with random primers, weights were all over the place with them, more than 1 grain, but don't know if that was powder or other part of the assembly.

I shot competition muzzle loading for almost 20 years. They will shoot well with methodical load testing, actually very well. The slug boys practice on flies @ 300 yds just to give you an idea how well.

 

[hillbill]

Try a Pittman accumax 225 or 250, your bullet if the limiting factor.

 

[rebel]

The combo you listed hog is what all the smokeless guys are going to here that aren't pre rifling and all that. I see no need to do that with what you are using. To think - my TC Renegade was top o the line at one time

 

[hillbill]

Hog
get you a sizing die and try some full size land riders, you will see the guns full potential

come check us out at Hanksmessageboards, we are doing some really neat stuff with these guns

 

[Killitgrillit]

I’m sure your not new to this, but are you letting the barrel cool between shots to keep the sabots from getting soft??

 

[hogpatrol]

I’m sure your not new to this, but are you letting the barrel cool between shots to keep the sabots from getting soft??

Yes I do let it cool. It cools fairly quick in cold temps but I still use a copper cooling rod. IIRC, I've had the custom barrel for eight years.

Hog
get you a sizing die and try some full size land riders, you will see the guns full potential
come check us out at Hanksmessageboards, we are doing some really neat stuff with these guns

Thanks Hillbill. Will check out the board. I had a full form die made with the drop when I bought the barrel but couldn't get the bullets to go through it without a lot of force. The saboted loads have been serving my purpose, deer inside of 300 yards. Velocity is in the 2750 neighborhood with sabots and the 200 gr SSTs. The .402 Pittmans look like they may have some potential. I wasn't aware of them. Will order 25 and see how they shake out.