New build

[GM54-120]

That load should clock around 2300fps and you can get a cheap Lee .451 sizer or even a custom Lee sizer in .450. I have both just for that reason.

Is it possible its picking up the sabot shortly after its seperating from the bullet?

 

[Shorty]

I am going to check chronograph readings with a known fps source as HC suggested. I seen them lee sizers and wondered if they would work. I will order one now. Thank you both for the wisdom, its always appreciated...

 

[Shorty]

Found a use for the clip too. Cut the feed lips off, had some vials that fit good. Use them for my powder, prim ers, and bullets. Can carry two extra shots, plus the one in the barrel.

 

[Caniborrowsomeammo]

That's thinking "inside" the box.

 

[Danno]

Another scope recommendation: Athlon Argos.
When shopping for one to top one of my SML conversions, these were recommended by a person on another site. I checked into them, sent Athlon a message inquiring about if it would hold up with a thumper. The reply was that they were tested on a 50BMP with no failures, so I got one. I think it is one of the best kept secrets out there. The glass is clearer than my Viper and there is really nothing I would change/improve on it. To see a good collection, do a search on Amazon.

 

[GM54-120]

The Athlon Midas Tac has great reviews too but now they want a fortune for them. They have priced themselves into the same range as scopes made outside of China that have just as nice or better glass/features.

When it comes to Vortex, if you are gunna spend anywhere near a grand on a Viper....Just step up to a Razor HD LHT and get a far better Japanese made scope that dont weigh a ton. Razors are made at Light Optical Works and they have a great track record for making scopes. My older model Razor HD LH has beautiful glass for what i paid. Nothing in the price range even comes close.

Vipers appear to be made at 2 Philippine factories and its hard to nail down which models come from which factories. One is Scopro and the other is Kenko. I thought all of them came from Scopro but the scuttlebutt is a few models do come out of the Kenko plant which is the same one that makes the Sightron STACs.