.22 bullets in .308 sabots

[hawlejr]

I've been trying various .22 cal varmint bullets in .308 sabots. Accuracy and stability have been somewhat horrible! I've tried ramping up the velocity to over 4000 fps and even used some pistol powders to get it down to less than 2000 fps. Longer bullets (>65 gr) keyhole badly, which I understand because my 30-06 is 1-10" twist, but even the little 40 gr bullets are all over the place. I remember from the dim dark past that Jim Carmichel of "Outdoor Life" fame was able to give the things a thumbs up. Anyhoo, looking for any experience/advice I can get.

 

[ButterBean]

Remington tried it back in the day and it never took off, to many variables to be really accurate IMO.

 

[Greatgrandad]

I've been trying various .22 cal varmint bullets in .308 sabots. Accuracy and stability have been somewhat horrible! I've tried ramping up the velocity to over 4000 fps and even used some pistol powders to get it down to less than 2000 fps. Longer bullets (>65 gr) keyhole badly, which I understand because my 30-06 is 1-10" twist, but even the little 40 gr bullets are all over the place. I remember from the dim dark past that Jim Carmichel of "Outdoor Life" fame was able to give the things a thumbs up. Anyhoo, looking for any experience/advice I can get.

I've been using them since the 80's, and one thing you have to ensure is the bullet is seated to the bottom of the sabot. Sometimes, the after market sabots, non Remington brand, need to have the bullets lightly engraved to increase friction to keep the bullet from "slipping" inside the sabot during the rapid rifling imparted spin. When needed, I have used a standard bastard file and a small, hand held plate of steel. Just place the bullet on the file and perpendicular and place the small plate over it and roll back and forth a couple of times or as needed to lightly engrave. This will reduce or stop any slippage of the bullet in the sabot and improve stability.

Another issue I have seen is with certain brands and/or colors of some sabots. I have come across some brands that don't flair well and break into or break off some petals. I have noticed this also with some colors that seem to work well, but then another color from the same company that did not perform as well.

Also, I have noticed accuracy improvements if I ensured my barrel was very clean before beginning testing with the sabots.

 

[quigley257]

There were also a number of different sabot makers, some not nearly as good as others. Overall historic results have been okay to downright awful. Just rather impractical to expect accuracy from such poorly mismatched components.

 

[Greatgrandad]

Here are a few I have played with and made work within reason.

 

[Greatgrandad]

A little more on the bullet engraving, and while I show the metal plate over the bullet, you can reverse and place the file over the bullet on the metal plate.