Shotgun sabot testing...

Sort posts by date: Descending Ascending

Original Post:

BigRyan
BigRyan
Level: General User
Joined: 2/15/2009
Status: Offline
2/8/12 8:59 PM CST
I have an 870 with a rifled barrel and cantilevered Leopold scope on heavy duty rings. I have always struggled to get great accuracy out of this set up and tried several brands of ammo, until a few years back when Rem came out with the Accu-tip sabots. I was then able to hold a 2-2.5" group at 100 yards and go 2 for 2 at a 12" paper plate at 185 yards. In 2010 I still used the same slugs from the above sight in and had the same results. Now, last year, I needed more slugs so I bought the same ones. This time I couldn't hold a group better then 6-8" at 100 and with no consistence. I triple checked that every thing was tight but still same results.

All that being said, after the gun season I bought several boxes of sabots of differing brands when they were on sale to try to find a "new brand" that my setup likes. I'm just wondering if anyone has any ideas on the best way to test them out. My plan is to shoot a 3 or 5 shot group at 50-75 yards on a fresh target for each brand of ammo. If I go with the 3 shot group I might repeat with a 2 shot group at 100 yards as well. I am also thinking about running a bore snake through the barrel after every 5-10 shots to keep fowling at a minimum and to keep consistency in the test.

If anyone has any ideas on anything different I could try that has worked for them I would really appreciate it. Thanks!!

Displaying Posts 1 through 15 of 23
shedhunter
See Profile
Profile
Level: General User
Joined: 1/28/2008
Status: Offline
11/3/12 7:40 AM CST
shot many different sabots when testing my TC Encore 20gauge, the one it liked best was Lightfield Hybred Expanders, there pricey at 17.99 a box and are hard to find in the 20gauge but they are what my particular gun likes best, every gun definitely has a mind of its own. On a side note if anybody shoots a 20guage and shoots hornady sst's, shoot me a pm, i have a bunch of boxes sitting around--shed

mike7mm08
mike7mm08
Level: General User
Joined: 9/19/2002
Status: Offline
10/25/12 4:25 PM CST
I have also had issues with the Hornady SSTs. Slugs and muzzleloader. That said the SSTs seem to be accurate in most guns. I also like the partition golds. Only drawback is they don't expand much but have been very accurate. But they are .475 caliber which is a plenty big enough hole.

Timmer72
Timmer72
Level: General User
Joined: 12/26/2006
Status: Offline
10/25/12 4:15 PM CST
Personally I like the Winchester Partition Golds the best. They have been accurate in my previous slug gun (Remington 1100) and current T/C Encore. However for accuracy, the Hornady SST was the most accurate in the Encore. Just not a fan of that particular bullet after having issues using it in the muzzleloader. I know it's a whole different animal but they failed to expand at all. Luckily I was still able to recover those deer. The Partition Golds aren't cheap but they sure pack a heck of a punch and put 'em down.

Mr.Bass1984
See Profile
Profile
Level: General User
Joined: 6/12/2010
Status: Offline
10/25/12 2:43 PM CST
Hornady is great and they're cheaper then the Remington. Haven't tried the Winchester so I don't have an opinion there. Federal also makes a Sabot. I would recommend Hornady, but I'm kind of a Fanboy for their ammo.

Tim_T
Tim_T
Level: General User
Joined: 6/17/2011
Status: Offline
10/25/12 10:30 AM CST
Sorry to say but there is no surefire way to save any money, unless you get lucky and find one of the three you buy holds a good grouping. If you're hoping that someone has the same gun as you and recommends Brand X, don't pay attention to it! Brand X may or may not be the one that YOUR GUN LIKES. Just remember this much: start @25 yards with each brand,then 50, then 100. You'll have to adust the scope at each distance. You may be surprised at what you see.

You may not even find the BEST slug this year. You may find one that is acceptable but there are always more to try. It took me years to find one that I truly would trust every time.

Best of luck!

Tim

Bite_size_to a_bluegill
Bite_size_to a_bluegill
Level: General User
Joined: 12/26/2004
Status: Offline
10/25/12 2:36 AM CST
I just bought a new 12 guage mossberg 500 pump with a riffled cantilevered barrel and bushnell scope. I'm going this weekend to pick up 3 different kinds of sabots. Just wanted to here everyones thought on my setup and what you guys would recomend for slugs. I know this can be pricey and im hopeing to get some feedback to save a little money. I was thinking about trying hornity, remington copper solids, and maybe winchester? Any thoughts?

[This post was last edited on 10/25/12 at 2:38 AM]
BigRyan
BigRyan
Level: General User
Joined: 2/15/2009
Status: Offline
4/10/12 8:30 PM CST
The only reason I tried the 3" is because the Lightfield website stated they have a little flatter trajectory. I've had luck with the Lightfields in the past but was always looking for the flattest, fastest ammo I could shoot. Unfortunately, what I have found is my barrel doesn't like the fast stuff to much!

Mike, thanks for the advice on the Rem. ammo. I actually had excellent accuracy with their Accu-Tip sabots 2 or 3 years back, but the next year when I bought more boxes my 100yrd groups where 8-10" at best.

Tim_T
Tim_T
Level: General User
Joined: 6/17/2011
Status: Offline
4/9/12 9:35 PM CST
There really is no need for a 3" (or 3 1/2"!) slug, IMO. I noticed that you said recoil was A LOT from the 3" you tested. As a point of reference, I once cut open two Remington Sluggers. (yeah, they're not Sabots but you'll see where this goes.) One was a 2 3/4" and one a 3". Upon review, they each, of course, had a 1 0z. slug. Identical. Same "wad", same powder in each. However, upon weighing the powder from each the 2 3/4" had about 32 grains. About standard for a game load shotgun shell. The 3" had 48 grains! Half again as much powder! That really surprised me. Of course, I knew they would be the same expect for powder amounts but what will that extra 50% of powder in a 3" slug get you, besides a very sore shoulder? I can't believe it will get you any more range. Good luck on your testing. You're off to a good start!

Tim

BigRyan
BigRyan
Level: General User
Joined: 2/15/2009
Status: Offline
4/8/12 9:12 PM CST
Thanks for all the advice to everyone. I finally got around to doing a little testing. Here's what I found:

Target was on a 4ft x 4ft piece of cardboard set at 100 yards. I took the best three shots I could squeeeeeze off with each brand of ammo. I tried four different ammo brands this weekend.

1. Lightfield 2 3/4 hybreds - 3.25" group, 2 touching (solid recoil)

2. Rem. Copper Solids 2 3/4" - 2.0" group, 2 touching (lightest recoil)

3. Win. BRI Sabots 2 3/4" - 14" group (sabots where tearing sideways holes in the paper)

4. Lightfield 3" Hybred - 3.25" group, 2 under 1" (recoil... A LOT!!!)

So far that's what I got. Now I plan to thoroughly clean the gun and eventually get back to the range to test a few more brands.

I'll keep you posted.

1up
1up
Level: General User
Joined: 7/22/2006
Status: Offline
4/4/12 6:13 PM CST
also you can have a trigger job done on shotguns for about 60 bucks my 11-87 has a super crisp 4lb pull from what was a gritty creepy los of slack 10lbs the gunsmith at AK'S TRADING POST did wonders on mine shoots like a rifle now

1up
1up
Level: General User
Joined: 7/22/2006
Status: Offline
3/24/12 5:52 PM CST
the ammo manufactorers will change powder primers etc etc from time to time so you may have to shop for new sabot or slugs they just do it for econonomic reasons and don't tell anyone scews us over but thats the way it is.

madgrad02
madgrad02
Level: General User
Joined: 5/27/2008
Status: Offline
3/6/12 12:20 PM CST
I have tried several different slugs for deer hunting out of my Remington 870 with a Mossberg rifled barrel (ported) and cantilevered scope. After several hundred dollars seeing what slugs this gun liked the best, i found that the Hornady SST's were the best and able to keep a decent group at 100 yds. This is truely what I feel is the maximum effective range for this gun, and if I know there may be a longer shot required, I am generally bringing the smokepole along as well, as that is far more accurate over 100 yds. Just nice to have more than 1 shot if needed!!!

749scott
749scott
Level: General User
Joined: 2/16/2010
Status: Offline
2/17/12 2:45 PM CST
My whole family shoots Rem 870 w/ rifled barrels and scopes. We shot the BRI slugs till it was bought out by Winchester. The BRI manufactured slug shot better but the Winchester slugs shoot very well too. We all have mid-priced scopes so nothing ultra fancy. The best purchased we have made is a lead sled, also pay attention to your trigger pull. Video tape yourself or have somebody watch you shoot, you maybe surprised. But some barrels just don't shoot, may just be a barrel. Good luck.

GaT
See Profile
Profile
Level: General User
Joined: 6/15/2001
Status: Offline
2/17/12 1:28 PM CST
Winchester Supreme Partion Gold 3" shoot good out of my 695. Haven't shot a deer with this slug yet, so I cannot tell you how they perform terminally.

Pike River Outfitters
Pike River Outfitters
Level: MEMBER
Joined: 5/3/2008
Status: Offline
2/16/12 9:22 PM CST
Anyone have any words of wisdom for finding a decent slug for a Mossberg 695 bolt action slug gun ?

Displaying Posts 1 through 15 of 23
EMAIL ADDRESS:
PASSWORD:
Remember Me
Setup New Account
Forgot Your Password?
Membership Benefits
Compare Account Types
Please Practice Catch And Release
Lake-Link asks you to please take a moment to visit our fine sponsors:
Frabill Chevy Dealers Of Wisconsin Humminbird Marcum Technologies St. Croix Rods Cedar Lake Sales The 60 Second Angler Jerry's Sport Service Team Lodge Fish Houses Midwestern Shooters Supply IceForce

Lakes By State
Guides/Charters
Licensing/Registration
Forums Home
Rules Of Conduct Reporting Abuse Subscription Info
Advertiser's Corner
Campfire Discussion
Fishing Boards
Specific Fish Species Discussion
State Specific Forums
Hunting Forums
Outdoor Message Forums
Multimedia Home
Videos
Online Radio
Photos
Library Home
Trading Post Home
FREE Trading Post Ads!
That's right! Lake-Link Members get FREE Trading Post ads.
Click here for more.
Recent Additions To The Trading Post
Brass, Spotting Scope, and More Brass, Spotting Scope, and More
223/5.56 30 Rnd Mags new in wrapper $30ea I have the following brass 9MM x 828 for $90 3...
SOLID VANITY PLENTY OF DRAWERS SOLID VANITY PLENTY OF DRAWERS
GOOD SOLID VANITY WITH MIRROR AND PLENTY OF DRAWERS. THIS IS AN OLDER BETTER BUILT VANITY....
2004 KZ Frontier Travel Trailer 2004 KZ Frontier Travel Trailer
26' KZ Frontier, Model Number 2505QSS-F, New Tires in 2011, Includes most of what you need...
2012 LUND  1675 IMPACT SPORT 90 HP MERC SHORELANDER ROLLER TRAILER 2012 LUND 1675 IMPACT SPORT 90 HP MERC SHORELANDER ROLLER TRAILER
FISHERMANS DREAM, *SET UP READY TO GO ANYWHERE**,MOTORGUIDE X75 BOW MOUNT TROLLING MOTOR,...
MERCURY PROP 10 X 17 P MERCURY PROP 10 X 17 P
MERCURY 10X17 PITCH PROP FROM A 50HP MERCURY USED NOT ABUSED. HAD SAND RUBBING ,I PAINTED,...
Store Home
Recent Store Additions
Rapala Magnetic Tool Holder Combo Rapala Fishermans Tool Combo Team Fish Ice Combo
Rapala Minnow Rap Quantum Energy PTsB Spinning Reel Sufix 330-Yard Elite Monofilament
Messenger Home
Help Home
Member's Home
Become A Lake-Link Member Today!
  • * Access to Topographal Lake Maps
  • * Free Trading Post Ads
  • * Export Waypoints to your GPS/Locator
  • * Extended Fishing Forecasts
  • * Member Reward Points
  • * Bounus Discounts in the Store
  • * Personal Fishing Log
  • * And much more!!
Click here to learn more
Business Directory Home
Get the visibility your business deserves! Click here for advertising information.
Lake-Link.com find us on facebook