Sabot / Bullet Selector Guide
We always like to forget that every single gun is an individual, and that no two guns will shoot a given bullet sabot combination exactly alike. A simple sabot change can turn a 6 MOA gun into a 3/4 MOA gun, but often the changes are a bit more subtle. Only individual trigger time in an individual muzzleloader reveals the better combination-- there is no substitute for that. We always try to find shortcuts, but there are really none. However, there are fortunately trends and generalizations that offer a very high probability of success. For starters, here is a quick look at current formulation MMP sabots and the respective combinations that have quite often given admirable results:
There is no doubt that Barnes MZ-Expanders, by view of their low-velocity expansion, 100% weight retention, and superb penetration are the best terminally performing bullets you can place into a game animal. For game animals inside 200 yards, where most deer are taken (50 yards in many areas), a test drive with 300 gr. Barnes MZ-Expanders will likely get you where you want to be. If they load what you feel is too tightly, the easy solution is HPH-24 sabots from http://mmpsabots.com. You may be done right there.
For long range work, the Barnes Original .458 300 gr. Spitzer Soft Point flies very flat, and is tough enough for elk, moose, and heavier game than deer-- though, it has certainly taken a lot of deer as well. You'll need to get the MMP orange sabots from MMP, as they are supplied sans sabots. The 250 and 290 Barnes TMZ bullets with supplied yellow boat tail sabots offer "MZ-Expander" quality terminal ballistics in a more streamlined, flatter-flying package.
The Barnes 275 XPB #45105 is one of the easiest to load combinations on the market, when paired with the MMP HPH-12 sabots. This all-copper 275 gr. bullet offers a great compromise of trajectory, moderate recoil, and lower velocity expansion than the "X" rifle bullets and Barnes Originals-- but not as low a velocity expansion threshold as the MZ-Expanders and new TMZ's.
The better or "best" bullet depends on your hunting style, your personal hunting ranges, and is dictated by your unique rifle. There is no "right" or "wrong" in any of this, of course, but listening to what your own muzzleloader prefers to be fed is never a bad idea.
©
March, 2006 by Randy Wakeman
Email: randymagic@aol.com
