I recently modified a Sabatti 45-70 to 450 NE and figured I'd better shoot it some to see if there was any hope for sufficient accuracy or relegate it to the pile of rusty fence T-posts.

I am not claiming this is any sort of significant thought on my part but I figured that if I shot the cheapie 350 gr. Hornady bullets first to see if they regulate then I could sort of gather whether the full house loads with the more expensive 450 gr. North Fork Flat Point Solids were also going to regulate.

Hopefully interpreting Tony's theory correctly, it goes that shooting the same powder at or with slightly less grains with a bullet that weighs 75% of the larger bullet, both loadings will shoot to the same point of aim, and hence regulate the same.

So my question centered round whether the rifle would regulate sufficiently at 25 yards, which is the maximum distance at which I am concerned.

I admit I cheated a bit by shooting at 10 yards first, and that looked pretty good, so I extended it out to 25 yards. The Sabatti still has the stock sights which consist of a goofy V back sight and a thin red fiber optic front bead.

As shown in the photo the Sabatti is shooting the baby stuff (350 gr. Hornady with 86 gr. H-4350) and the bigger stuff (450 gr. NF FPS with 90 gr. H-4350) to the same general spot and grouping as good as I can see at 25 yards. Whether a couple shots are crossing or not is highly questionable due to my questionable eyesight.

At ~2260 ft/s the 450 gr. NF FPS are chucking out 5100 ft-lbs which was my goal.

My conclusion: For a flyweight double big enough for buffalo and elephant I have found nirvana. Except for the two triggers. Ya just can't have everything! Not for $3K anyway.

You did it now Will, the SDS Nazis(Sabbati Derangement Syndrome) are going to become unglued... Nice grouping! I'll have to try that with my VC. jorge

Bill I'd say you've got it in spades! I don't think you could ask for better than that especially on the first try!

Now try it at 50yds over the sticks, with the fore-end in your hand! I'd be willing to bet it will shoot well enough to pop a cat or black bear on bait as well!

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WTG, Will! Looking good!

The flat point solids are on the money.

By the time you install proper sights, what will be your all in price?

Also, it would seem that you are getting rigged out for elephant or buffalo. What's on the menu and when?

Will, Glad the 75% rule "in reverse" worked out for you, and your rifle.

Way to go Will, this must be lots of fun and a great satisfaction to have worked on and developed this project and came up with such wonderful results.



Another very accurate beautiful Sabatti.



Malek
Good hunting/shooting and God's best