Sabot choices and accuracy

[27hand]

I finally got out to the range today.
I have an Ithaca 12 ga. M-87 Featherlight Deerslayer with a 20" rifled BBL.

After trying rifled slugs when I got this SG many years ago, I settled on Ballistic Research Industries (BRI) sabots with good results.
Winchester bought BRI and made some modifications to the sabots. The grouping I had with this SG fell off considerably to the point I tried another variety of sabots.

I eventually settled on Remington Copper Solids and used those for many many years.
They also redesigned their sabot but accuracy seemed reasonably close to the original design.

Lightfields, although heavier than the solids, grouped very close to the solids and I kept a supply of those as backups.

Copper solids became quite expensive and there have been threads on here looking for alternative choices.

When Gander Mountain went out, I bought a variety of sabots just to try.

The 4 I settled on to compare were:
1) Remington Copper Solids 12 ga. 2 3/4" 1 oz (437.5 gr) 1450 fps.
2) Lightfields 12 ga 2 3/4" (546 gr ) 1450 fps
3) Hornady SST 12 ga 2 3/4" (300 gr) 2000 fps
4) Winchester (BRI) 12 ga 2 3/4" 1 oz.(437.5 gr) 1350 fps

2017-10-16_03-06-31 by poofy27, on Flickr

I changed the glass from an old cheap Simmons 3 x 9 to a Bushnell ( taken off my pump .06 after Leupold installed)

One target had the Copper solids and Winchester BRI's. All shooting was from 100 yds.
2017-10-16_03-07-14 by poofy27, on Flickr

The solids grouped pretty fair (3 across the top) but the BRI Winchesters surprised me by being extremely tight (3 on left)

The Hornadys didn't hit paper. I assume as they were quite a bit lighter that I over shot the target.
I've tried these before on a larger cardboard backer and they were all over the place.

The Lightfields did great for 2 shots but there was a flyer as well.

2017-10-16_03-07-02 by poofy27, on Flickr


After running my .300 WinMag, .06 and 30-30, 12 rounds through my Ithaca made me call it a day.


I shot for grouping and did not make any scope adjustments.
The 4 to 5 inches high is a bit higher than I usually sight in for and will make the adjustment down the road.


It seems that certain firearms shoot ammo considerably different depending on the manufacturer.


I believe the Winchesters are a bit less expensive than the solids.
I may try the SST's again but even on larger backer, they did not do well in my gun.


Anyone else run through a series of sabots or slugs to find a good pairing?

[Qtrborecrazy]

The solids always did well for me when I hunted NJ. I found with my inline I had to use high pressure sabots or the rifle wouldn’t shoot worth a hill of beans.

[TooBigToFit]

The shoulder surgery you had to have after shooting all of those couldn't have been cheap :P

[27hand]

The shoulder surgery you had to have after shooting all of those couldn't have been cheap :P

It was worse than a few years ago. Ha.
The Ithaca and .300 are thumpers for the 68 YO shoulder and I still feel it today.
I will likely take the 30-30 for Thursday and Friday's old men and young kids rife doe season. o.j.

[Gripsafety]

What I look for in sabots is consistent cold bore shots. That is the reality of deer hunting using a single shot H&R slug gun.

Lightfields work best for me. I sight in with one shot every year, and have not moved my scope at all since its initial sight-in years ago.

[USMC3531]

I like brenneke k.o. they have been consistent even through different guns

[ar15jules]

I choose the Remington Copper Solids as well. They are not only accurate but devastating on big game. At $4.00 a piece, they better be.
Jules