Sabot Information

This is general information regarding sabots. What they are, what they're used for, ...

DEFINITION

sabot: (sa - bot) \ say-bow \ noun [French] (ca. 1607) 1 a : a wooden shoe worn in various European countries b (1) : a strap across the the instep in a shoe esp. of the sandal type (2): a shoe having a sabot strap 2 : a thrust-transmitting carrier that positions a missile in a gun barrel or launching tube and that prevents the escape of gas ahead of the missile.

So ... what are they? They are nylon 'sub-caliber bullet holders'. The sabots that are generally available allow one to fire a .44 caliber bullet in a 50 caliber rifle (44/50 : used in muzzle loaders), or a .224 caliber bullet in a .30 caliber gun (22/30). They are cupped, with small 'fingers' that hold the sub-caliber bullet in place, and also act as a 'parachute' to create drag, which pulls the sabot off the bullet soon after it leaves the muzzle of the rifle.


Above are a (side) and (top) view of seating a .224" bullet into a .30 caliber sabot.


Here's information on reloading 22/30 sabots ...

I hope this write-up proves useful to you. Good shooting from the Spirit of '76 Gun Page!!

Last updated : 22 June 1998