Getting a Sabot to Open ...

I have green Crush Rib Sabots. Using up to 100-grains of powder with either a 240 or 300gr XTP the sabots travel about 25-yards downrange and are barely opened. In the past I have used sabots that came with the projectiles (various) and most of them opened to a big "X" and travelled about 10-yards downrange. Two questions - is there a method to getting these green Crush Rib sabots to open properly; is there a sabot that is "softer" or is known to open quickly with lighter loads? Thanks

Are you happy with the accuracy? I'd worry more about sabots being totaled when shot....petals torn off, cup seriously disfigured.....and getting poor accuracy. If the accuracy is where you expect it to be, I wouldn't worry.

I would suggest to you - the thicker the sabot the less of a chance of getting an X. Also a factor in the appearance of the X is the powder load and the velocity that you are shooting the bullet at.

The sabots function is to guide the bullet up the bore and impart the rotation of the lands. once the load clears the muzzle the sabots job is done. It then opens to some degree, creates a drag that strips the sabot from the bullet. If the sabot allows the bullet out smoothly the bullet should remain accurate.

The closer the bullet is to bore size the thinner the sabot and the greater possibility that you might see the open X you are describing.

It really comes down to accuracy if your current load is accurate you are good to go!

Thicker petals release slower. Its that simple. Increasing MV can help but may really hurt accuracy too. Petals that extend further up the bullet ogive help it release quicker also.

The simple solution is go to a 50x.452 or better yet a 50x.458. There are some excellent 458 bullets for lighter ML loads such as the Sierra 300gr FNHP. Both MMP and Harvester offer 50x458 sabots.

Great info, thanks to y'all

If you're finding them at the same distance always and good accuracy, sounds like youve nothin to worry about. Those green sabots are thick and tough.

I use the Black crush ribs and always find them about 12 feet in front of the bench. The only time I've found them in a different place is when I tried the standard black and they stuck to the bullet until they hit the target. Defiantly too tight!

I am also wondering if I could work the petals back and forth before loading to soften them and get the bend started. Seems like it might help....

I’d want the saboted bullet to fit properly, not to tight or loose. As long as the bullet accuracy is where you want it, who cares about the sabot?

Yeah, most open up & end up 20+/- yards ahead of the muzzle. Beyond that I wouldn’t give it much thought.

Quick update: Today I spent time working the petals back and forth about 20X each. I left the sabot open and placed it on the muzzle, then seated the bullet and drove it in slowly. Of course the sabot closed around the bullet as it went down the muzzle. Another change was a switch from Triple 7 FFFg to Pyrodex RS. These two things combined left the sabots fully opened into and X on the range, they traveled half the distance they used to, and accuracy increased.

I have the exact opposite problem. (If its a problem) I don't know. All of the petals are gone from the sabot.

Webfoot said:

I have the exact opposite problem. (If its a problem) I don't know. All of the petals are gone from the sabot.

Click to expand...

Hows your accuracy?

Sparkitoff said:

Quick update: Today I spent time working the petals back and forth about 20X each. I left the sabot open and placed it on the muzzle, then seated the bullet and drove it in slowly. Of course the sabot closed around the bullet as it went down the muzzle. Another change was a switch from Triple 7 FFFg to Pyrodex RS. These two things combined left the sabots fully opened into and X on the range, they traveled half the distance they used to, and accuracy increased.

Click to expand...

Do you think it was the powder, or the petal flexing that helped accuracy more? How much better groups did you get?

Groups were about 1/2 the size but more importantly, they were consistent. In the past, I would get two, even three shots in a decent group but could never get a 5-shot group under 6". These went into 3" over and over again, some touching and the main group 2" and a little bit. A few outliers opened it up to 3. That could be me! I think the powder was the biggest factor. I tried the old powder with sabots that had the petals worked and it was somewhat better than untouched petals but still had many fliers. The combo seemed to do it.

What distance are you shooting at your target? 3-6” groups would be unacceptable for me and most shooters.

Webfoot said:

I have the exact opposite problem. (If its a problem) I don't know. All of the petals are gone from the sabot.

Click to expand...

I could care less what my sabots look like if I am getting consistent accuracy. In my two .45's I frequently have only 1 petal left attached to the base, but overlapping bullet holes at 100 yards.

The results are at 100-yards. Without working petals and with Triple 7 = 5-shot groups 6-inches. Working petals and with Pyrodex RS = 5-shot groups less than 3-inches. The rifle is a sidelock and has a 1.5X scope so under 3-inches is okay (not great) but way better than before (groups half the size).