Sabots and Reloading

Well I have been getting a lot of e-mails about the sabot loads that I have on my reloading page for the .45 Colt and posting the loads on a few of the boards I post on. So I thought I would put this page together to try and answer some of the questions. I only use powder charges that I know the weapon can handle. I do not over or unload my powder, not only is it unsafe I do not like putting my weapon through any unneeded ware and tare.

To start with as far as I know sabots are color coded I use the blue sabot do to the fact they let me load both 9mm (.355), or .38 (.357) in to the .45 Colt and or .45 ACP. Both the 9mm and the .38 sabotted in to the .45 Cal. make for great hunting loads. I can get speeds close to a 30.30 rifle out of my Marlin .45 Colt Cowboy Limited rifle. At 100 yards I will go round for round shooting open sites with any one shooting a 30.30, I am not the best shot in the world but I know what that bullet is going to do once it leaves the weapon. Also for the .45 there is a Tan sabot that will let you load a 40 S & W (.401). The problem I run into with the sabot loads is that in the Marlin you have to drop each round in the chamber, they will not function in the tube magazine. They will not function in a .45 ACP but if you want to load them and drop them in to a .45 ACP it will work and is fun to shot, but take forever to shot a box of ammo.

Blue Sabot for 9mm(.355) or .38 cal(.357)

Tan for loading 40 S & W(.401)

Other things that are important When I bell the top of the case I bell it just enough for the sabot to sit in the top of the case, I will set the sabot in and give a little push with my finger then I set the bullet in. When I am seating for the .45 Colt I seat it where the crimp gets a good bite in the bullet and it will let the cylinder spin free. When I seat for the .45 ACP I seat the bullet where the fingers of the sabot touch the very end of the chamber. Something I feel is a must when reloading with sabots is after you have seated and crimped the bullet is use a factory crimp die or take the decapping pinout of your sizing die and run the round back through. I hope this clears up a lot of the question you may have. I did not go in to all of the different sabots because I do not use them.

Some place to pick up sabots at a pretty good prices are:

M & M Sabots

Lock Stock and Barrel
and you can always try your luck on Ebay.

Send me an email:-)

Marlin 45 Colt 1894 Cowboy Limited 1 load
45 Colt 6 loads
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