Have you ever ever learn the ebook Level of Impression by Stephen Hunter? It’s the beginning of the Bob Lee Swagger sequence, and a superb portion of the novel focuses on a conspiracy and using a sabot in one among Bob’s rifles to border him. I at all times thought that was simply literary fiction. Certain, sabot rounds exist for issues just like the .50 BMG, however may a reasonably small rifle spherical use a sabot design? Apparently so, and the Remington Accelerator sequence proved it potential.
The Remington Accelerator was a kind of ammo that premiered in 1977. These have been a sequence of sabot rounds designed for the most well-liked searching cartridges of the period. The Accelerator sequence used the identical sabot precept utilized in Level of Impression: you possibly can shoot a smaller projectile from a bigger bore by wrapping that smaller projectile in a sabot.
The Remington Accelerator – An In-Depth Look
The Remington Accelerator sequence used a .224-inch (or 5.7 mm) projectile, sometimes a 55-grain delicate level spherical. The sabot was a single-finger plastic design that will enhance the general diameter of the projectile to match the bore of the bigger caliber rifle.
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Remington produced the Accelerator sequence in .30-06, .308 Winchester, and .30-30 Winchester. Utilizing tremendous small projectiles behind .30 caliber cartridges allowed for some excessive velocities. The .30-06 model may reportedly break 4,000 FPS. The .308 and .30-30 have been slower at 3,770 FPS and three,400 FPS, respectively.
The way in which a sabot works is straightforward. When the spherical was fired, the sabot engaged the rifling, and when the projectile exited the barrel, the sabot fell away. The sabot was designed to stabilize the smaller spherical contained in the barrel.
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However Why?
The Accelerator sequence was designed to permit a hunter to copy .22-250 or .222 Remington efficiency from a rifle they already owned. Again then, individuals weren’t as fast to simply purchase a brand new gun, and weapons have been dearer on this period. Remington supposed the Accelerator sequence to permit hunters with deer rifles to hunt varmints with out completely exploding them.
The Accelerator sequence promised to make your deer gun right into a dual-use design. It appeared like a gorgeous proposition: one rifle, one scope, two functions. Even within the period of the reasonably priced Savage 110, why didn’t the Accelerator sequence stick round?
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The Finish of the Accelerator
Accuracy. That was the primary grievance. Manufacturing did appear to final a number of years. In 1980, the .30-30 premiered, three years after the preliminary .30-06 introduction. The issue was that the sabot doesn’t interface with the rifling in addition to a typical projectile would. This might fail to stabilize the bullet and lead to tumbling and wobbling, which might lead to poor accuracy.
Should you’re searching varmints, accuracy issues. The small targets are already onerous to hit, so in the event you aren’t punching a tiny group, you aren’t prone to hit a tiny goal. This wasn’t at all times the case; it could have relied on quite a lot of components, together with rifle high quality.
It additionally seemingly relied on the varmint you have been searching. A shot at a bobcat, a coyote, or perhaps a groundhog is lots simpler to make than a shot on a prairie canine or a rabbit. You’re additionally a bit nearer with coyotes, rabbits, and groundhogs.
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I don’t think about these cartridges fed properly in semi-autos, and semi-auto searching rifles have been getting well-liked on this period, with choices from Remington, Winchester, and Browning attaining reputation. The plastic sabots are additionally going to foul your barrel, which isn’t a giant deal in the event you don’t thoughts cleansing the bore.
Nonetheless, they didn’t obtain sufficient reputation, and Remington eradicated the Accelerator lineup. Should you go searching, you will discover packing containers on the market for wherever from $90 to $150 for a 20-round field.
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A Trendy Accelerator
I don’t assume there’s a huge marketplace for these cartridges as of late. Should you personal a .30-06, you in all probability personal an AR and may shoot all of the varmints you need. Nonetheless, I can’t assist however assume that sabot know-how and design have improved, and a contemporary Accelerator may work. Is anybody courageous sufficient to offer it a strive?
