All-copper saboted bullets for .45 cal bores?

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Northwoods65

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Hey all,

I shoot a .50 cal muzzleloader and am thinking about making my next one a .45 cal.

A few years ago, I started using solid copper bullets for deer hunting. For a .50 cal, I have plenty of choices in saboted, all-copper bullets, including Barnes Spitfire T-EZ and TMZ with polymer tips.

For a .45 cal, does anyone know of any all-copper saboted options, other than the 195 grain Barnes Expander hollow-point?
 
Thanks much, HJ.

You're right, they offer a couple with sabots, plus a few other .40 cal bullets that could be used in a .45 cal with a sabot added.
 
A few years ago I had 2 .45cal ML and the 195gr Barns was awesome, accuracy wise and killing wise. The only bullet I would choose over the 195gr Barns would be a big lead conical. Nothing wrong with the 195gr Barns.
 
Barnes has an all copper 10mm TAC-XP in 155 grain pistol bullet. I used this for my grandson’s .50 cal ML.
I even called Barnes and they sent me some of the blue polymer tips they use in their TMZ bullets - fit perfect.

Biggest issue might be finding .45 cal sabots. It’s the one on the right. I sent some to Ron for testing years ago and they opened up perfectly.

IMG_0652.JPG IMG_1131.JPG
 
Barnes has an all copper 10mm TAC-XP in 155 grain pistol bullet. I used this for my grandson’s .50 cal ML.
I even called Barnes and they sent me some of the blue polymer tips they use in their TMZ bullets - fit perfect.

Biggest issue might be finding .45 cal sabots. It’s the one on the right. I sent some to Ron for testing years ago and they opened up perfectly.

View attachment 6850 View attachment 6851
That 155 sounds awesome- how was the accuracy in the 50?
 
Northwoods, I can’t say anything about the saboted 45’s. Not knowing what ML you’ll choose, here is some of my results.
Using a Knight 45 in 1/20 and 1/28.
Have used Harvesters blue 40/45 sabot and 200grn FTX.
Accuracy was good (worth using for deer moa). Took game from 35 to 165 yds.
Sabotloader turned me on to Lehigh Defense’s 260 grn 458. Upon sizing them to fit the respective bores. They are my go to for 45cal hunting.
Was able to get (repeatedly) three shot 2” groups at 200yds. 7X max pwr scope.
Took 4 this year.Distances 70 to 240 yds. Clean kills.
I would kindly suggest to bore size bullets for your new
45 and find a Knight Disc 45.
Been good for me.
 
155 grain tac-xp from Barnes, my gf shoots these with 80 grains of bh209, very little recoil for her and it’s a great bullet, included is a photo of the Barnes 155 compared to a 200
Grain sst and and a powerbelt ELR
 

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Looks great - I set my son up with a 250 grain sst & 70 grains blackhorn & has some kick. Why didn't Remington put a full size recoil pad on the youth stock? Its half the thickness of the adult & is molded internally different so you just camp swap them out.
 
"That 155 sounds awesome- how was the accuracy in the 50"?

The accuracy was decent for 50 yards since I only had a 1x red dot sight on it since my grandson started hunting in the Michigan youth hunt when he was 6. If I had scoped the ML I’m sure it would have been a tack driver at that distance.

(Last year he whacked a squirrel at 53 yards with my scoped .22 while we were deer hunting from a blind).

I sent some of these bullets and sabot to Ron Laughton and he shot them in his jug test. I think this is a photo he posted. If it isn’t, what he posted looked exactly like this one below.

IMG_1071.JPG
 
I’m hunting now but plan on trying out the 155 - sounds awesome- 45 & 50 caliber muzzleloader
 
The Barnes 45 ACP 185 gr TAC-XP is another great bullet to use. Check Ron's bullet tests, they did well with 50 and 80 grains of BH209.
 
I would also suggest you look at the Lehigh 40x195CF.



Lehigh Defense originated Controlled Fracturing Technology. These bullets are designed to deliver maximum terminal performance. Controlled Fracturing bullets are produced from either solid copper or solid brass and are pre-stressed at specific points so that after a predetermined penetration depth, the razor-edge petals deploy, releasing an energy spike and then separate and radiate outward from the primary path of the bullet. The bullet shank, now back to bore diameter, continues penetrating straight and deep along the initial impact path.

  • A minimum of four separate wound channels resulting in extensive damage

  • CNC machined from solid copper or brass, not formed or swaged

  • Exceptional accuracy from the advanced manufacturing process

  • Razor sharp petals for maximum terminal performance

  • Deep penetrating base projectile

  • Expansion is initiated by hydraulic energy – expansion only where it is required
 

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