Sabots

[Young Gun]

What kind of sabots do you Muzzle Loader hunters shoot? What are the pros and cons of each kind of sabot and what have you taken with your muzzle loader?

[irvingdog]

Everyone is going to line up and praise the Powerbelt loads. They start easily. They are reasonably accurate. But, they are way expensive, and they have terrible weight retention (highly frangible).

I'm really glad Nosler is getting into the sabot game, and I await big things from the Partition loads.

[benelli_dude2002]

I like hornady SST. You need the right ramrod tip to load them though cuz they have the plastic point on them. Pretty reasonable price too, the cheapest I got them is nine dollars for a pack of 20 and yes the powerbelts are a little more but they load so nice and easy. Plan to shoot 300 gr nosler partition for an upcoming moose this fall. Good luck and shoot safe! Brian

[fishhard]

I shoot 240gr Nosler Partitions. Not all bullets can handle the velocity at close ranges. When muzzeloading I want a bullet that will pass through the animal. If you go with the powerbelts I wouild shoot there solid bullet that they offer. The other powerbelts with 100-150gr of pirodex do not hold up. There are many good quality bullets avaliable now. Hornady SST, Swift A-Frame, Nosler Partition are all good. Look for a bullet that offers maximum penitration and weight retention. You will pay more for the best bullets but it will be worth it.

[bigbucks]

I used to shoot Power Belts, but have gone to .260 Noslers. The first ML deer I shot was a nice doe through the shoulder at 15 yards. The bullet broke up & never exited the chest cavity. In that case it didn't matter, I saw her go 75-100 yards & pile up, but I don't think there was any blood trail, at least I never found one.

I can't say what the Nosler does yet. I shot one deer with it last year, but I hit the backbone & those don't usually exit anyway in my experience.