.45 vs .50

[Derek mannens]

Just bought a .50 muzzleloader.
Trying to develop a good load. I’ve always shot the hornady sst 250gr sabboted bullet with 150gr white hot powder. They’ve worked no doubt but I am always looking for something better. Any suggestions on new load developments?
I was also looking into shooting a .45 bullet with a sabot out of the .50 cal muzzy. Has anyone tried this and if so how were the results?

 

[ElDiablito]

I’ve always shot the hornady sst 250gr sabboted bullet with 150gr white hot powder.

I was also looking into shooting a .45 bullet with a sabot out of the .50 cal muzzy. Has anyone tried this and if so how were the results?

Ok, now I’m confused. So you’ve been shooting a .45 in a sabot and now you want to know if anyone’s ever tried shooting a saboted .45 in a .50???

 

[Derek mannens]

No ive always shot a saboted .50cal bullet
ive heard of people shooting a .45 cal saboted bullet out of .50 cal muzzys and getting a flatter bullet while using less powder.
have you heard the same or tried it yourself?
or would you suggest to keep the .50 saboted bullet

 

[roadrunner]

A 50 cal sabot would likely be for a 54 caliber barrel.

45's are what is commonly used as a sabot bullet for a 50 cal barrel.

I use a 40 cal bullet with an extra thick walled sabot out of my 50 cal barrel with very repeatable results.

 

[ElDiablito]

No ive always shot a saboted .50cal bullet
ive heard of people shooting a .45 cal saboted bullet out of .50 cal muzzys and getting a flatter bullet while using less powder.
have you heard the same or tried it yourself?
or would you suggest to keep the .50 saboted bullet

I’m still confused as to what you’ve shot and are asking.

If you’re asking if I’ve tried shooting a .45 cal bullet in a sabot in a .50 rifle? Yep - that’s what the overwhelming majority of us are shooting.

In a .50, you basically have four options:

A full-bore (.50 cal) bullet
A .45 bullet in sabot
A .44 bullet in sabot
A .40 bullet in sabot

As far as sabots go in a .50, a .45 in a sabot consistently works the best.

 

[Macegl]

No ive always shot a saboted .50cal bullet
ive heard of people shooting a .45 cal saboted bullet out of .50 cal muzzys and getting a flatter bullet while using less powder.
have you heard the same or tried it yourself?
or would you suggest to keep the .50 saboted bullet

Your 250 grain saboted sst is a 45 caliber bullet in a sabot.