Thinking about handloading .224bullets/sabots into a 30-30 for varmints and a easy recoiling starter load for the kids. Does anyone have experience with these and if so were they accurate?

Deke.

Lawdog at your other thread has the right idea. Use the 110s or get a .223 and teach the kids to reload.

I agree that a .223 would be a good idea, but I don't want to buy one since I already have a 22-250 and my kids being 5 and 7 are probably too young for reloading (but not shooting). I am thinking one gun for the kids that would be good for many applications. The 30-30 is already proven in the woods for big game and it will be good out to 200yrds if that long of a shot presents itself. I appreciate the other recomendations, but I want to stick to the .224/sabot question.

Deke.

Well, then my answer is no, the sabot doesn't work well enough. Accuracy at 100 yards was insufficient. That's been my experience and I no longer have or care to work with them. Buy the 110s and load them down. They won't do to 200 yards either but, heck you won't have to buy another gun. OR you could load that .22-250 down to .223 levels, now THAT would work.

I have heard too many stories about poor accuracy with the sabots. I like shooting the 110 and 125g bullets. The recoil is very light with the 110's, even when you load them up to 2500-2800 fps, and that will do the job out to 200 yards. I have taken 2 coyotes in the last 3 days with the 125g bullet out of a .30-30, the first was 225 yards the second was 150 yards.

Hawky,

Good going on the Coyotes. I am concerned about the Coyote furs with a bigger caliber bullets (even if they are called "varmint" bullets). What did the entry and exit (assuming there was an exit) look like and what was the bullet you used?

Deke.

The entry and exit holes were small, not much mess at all. I have shot many coyote with a .22-250 and most had way more damage than these 2. The 2 coyotes never moved after the shot. The close one was hit through the spine above the front shoulders, and the other was hit through the ribs, just behind the shoulder. I am very pleased with this rifle, and find I can shoot it better than my old Winchester model 70 .22-250. It just fits better.

My kids shot quite a few factory (Rem) 55 gr sabot loads while growing up. The accuracy was pretty poor. The recoil was noticably less than light loaded 110 gr. loads, which I used as step 2 for the kids.

Deke--Ive not priced Accelerators,but I know with the appetitte youngsters have for shooting,you'd soon tie up in bullets what a .22 centerfire could cost. I started my grandson on various .22 centerfires,and yes accuracy is important. He never really liked shooting paper targets,but was hell on old golf balls. I gradually increased him up to .243. He got his first deer at age 9 and this was with a .22 centerfire. After he got to .243 we never went higher. He is 14 now and has gotten atleast one deer every year since age 9---usually two or more. This past week-end he got his first turkey--2 of them. Havent talked to him to get the details yet. I think the experience of him using several different rifles and actions was beneficial. By all means don't expose them to too much recoil as they are learning. Be prepared for their young eyes to outshoot you some too.