ML Sabots vs. Powerbelts?

OK, feel free to chime in here with pros and cons on both for you smoke polers. Waller, you already weighed in!

1. PB are easier to load.
2. My sabots (shockwave’s) I can get a 200 gr. bullet,which is only 20gr. heavier than a standard 30-06. I get a little flatter shooting bullet that way.

PB’s also don’t leave as much residue as the others….so they say. Not as much plastic to them.

Is the plastic that big of an an issue? Is there a quick cleaning method when shooting the sabots? I shoot them numerous times out of my shotgun without build up. I realize that ML’s are a LOT dirtier as a whole.

You all have been a HUGE help with this. I love doing something new. This late season hunt is something I have looked forward to for MANY years!!! Being able to hunt close to home is another plus!

I purchased a ,50cal to shoot .50 caliber projectiles

PB’s for me.

If you plan on shooting over 150 yards, I’d go Sabot. Under that, I would take full advantage with PowerBelts Hit em hard

big G

I love the way the sabots shoot,but have went back to PBs for the 2nd shot reload.When it is cold,I have had a bear of a time trying to reload the sabots in the field.Are there better sabots than others these days when you cant clean between shots?

Quote:

---

When it is cold,I have had a bear of a time trying to reload the sabots in the field. Are there better sabots than others these days when you cant clean between shots?

---

I would just start curling 5 gallon buckets of minnows a month before the season starts.

Dean, I carry a few swabs with me and run em down the barrel with the jag. First one with saliva, next one dry. Works great for a clean reload in field Can’t remember where I read this tip, but it works.

big G

told ya TUCKER!!!!

I’ve had great luck w/ the T/C 250 gr. Shockwaves in my Omega. I just run a spit patch between shots in the field but swab between shots at the bench. The accuracy has been so good that I haven’t wanted to try anything else. I use the Omega for WI rifle season dialed in out to 200 yds, then dump the scope and follow up w/ the muzzleloader season.

Quote:

---

Quote:

---

---

I would just start curling 5 gallon buckets of minnows a month before the season starts.

---

Does 5 gallons of fish cleanings count? If so way ahead of ya!

Sounds good Big G ….I am sure that will work,but I hope I can keep my eye on the deer that long in case I ever need a follow up shot!I am sure most of the time it is never a problem.Thanks for the advice!

For a follow up, skip the spit…. I am talking just a reload.

big G

“Skip the spit.”

Chris, I have shot both through my T/C. Power Belts load easy. The problem I had is they hardly ever made a pass through. I now use 250 grain Shock Waves. They are more accurate and have more hitting power IMO. I wipe bore butter around the sabot casing before pushing it in the barrel. Seems to work just fine.

Chris there are pros/cons to each. I have shot both quite a bit over the years and lean toward PBs… We only can ML hunt in Dec up here and the sabots can be almost impossible to push down the bore when its below zero.

Bottom line…use what shoots most accurately out of your rifle, but if its really cold….

I picked up some platinum Aerotip PB’s as recommended by some folks who claim to know what they are talking about. But one of them was WALLER! Next Summer when I have more time and can sit on the bench and fire all day I will try sabots and PBs under varying loads and distances. Right now though, I can’t see many shots going over 50-100 yards.
Thanks to ALL of you for your help! Ritter and I hit the range tomorrow in Oakdale to throw some rounds down range. Meeting there at 2 PM if anyone wants to go make some noise.