.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.

 

[KnightExtreme]

Most Online Sellers will state what Size the Bullet is as for .50 Caliber there is also different Sabots for the Different Bullets ie .45, .44 or .40 that most come with the Sabot needed for them. Unless you buy afew that come in say in a 50 Pack some do not come with a SABOT! LIke Parker's. Others do. You just need to read the specifics for Each and do not buy the Wrong ones because there is also .52 Cal & .54 Cal. And the "SABOT's" are too large for a .50 Cal and also some ML's are actually .45 Cal. You need to be Careful what you are BUYING!!!
Most Online Retailers are specific as to what they sell. Just need to read and know what you are looking for like;

https://harvestermuzzleloading.com/...nel-point-mag-bullets-50-cal-sabot-260-gr-451 (which states .50 Cal but are .451 diameter ot .45 sized bullets with .50 sabots sized for a .50 bore )

or

Hornady XTP Bullets - 50 Caliber Sabots - 250 Grain .452 Bullets (12 Pack)

XTP Bullets are famous for their ability to expand reliably across a wide range of velocities, while consistently delivering a deep terminal penetration that is needed for one shot kills. 12 Pack Featuring Hornady XTP Bullets Excellent Expansion & Takedown Power Operates to Loading Specs of All...

harvestermuzzleloading.com

(Which are also for a .50 Cal but are a .452 sized slightly larger but also only a .45 bullet.

Once you know what you are buying. Just need to know as mentioned don't buy what is spec for only a .45 Cal or .52 or .54 Cal as those will not work in a **** .50 Cal**** the Sabot is Larger ot Smaller...