30 Sabercat, Load Data

TXCOONDOG

Highlands, Texas
The .30 Sabercat is a full power wildcat hunting round developed for the AR15. It is based on the 6mm Norma Dasher case (the new normal or thin rim version of the brass) which has 44.1 grains case capacity when fire-formed. You can also use any .308 based case but anything other than dasher brass will require neck turning. The idea was to get the performance of the 30 RAR in a standard AR15 upper and reach mild .308 ballistics from a smaller package.

The Sabercat has a case length of 1.575 and uses an COAL of 2.295, although not all bullets can be loaded that long. The light bullets load to around 2.2 COAL. As stated military .308 brass can be used but requires neck turning to .013 thickness. Case capacity with L.C. brass is around 41.4 grains so load data is very different between Dasher and L.C. Performance of L.C. brass is good in the shorter barrels.

It is designed around the 125-155 class of bullets but can run all the way up to the 220-240 loads for subs if wanted, although subsonic performance was not a design parameter when we were designing it. An 18 inch barrel can safely push a 150 grain bullet to 2650-2700 fps. It can push a 110 grain bullet to 3100 from a 18 inch barrel. A 22 inch barrel will push a 110 to 3250 and a 150 to 2800.

With the 2.295 COAL, PRI 6.8SPC magazines work best allowing 7 rounds in a 10 round mag. The larger mags don't allow much more capacity because the magazine starts to swell. You can do a spring mod to the 15 round PRI magazine and get 9-10 rounds in them. The 450 Bushmaster 5 round mag also works with some slight mods as does the 30 RAR magazine.

The .30 Sabercat likes the faster powders. In testing, 1200R and AA2200 were 2 of the best powders. H335 also works as does Norma 200, VV N120, VV N530, H4198, LT-30 and AA2230.




30 SaberCat , 16” Barrel w/1:11.25 twist and mid-length gas system

Weather: Sunny, 85 degrees with a crosswind of 10mph
Date: 10-28-2018

Brass: FIre formed (FF) Dasher at 1.575” Length
Powder:H335 - 35 grains
Primer: CCI 41
Bullet: Hornady 150 gr SST
OAL: 2.295”
AVG Velocities: 2388
SD: 16.3
Comment: No feeding or cycling issues.

Brass: FF Dasher at 1.575” Length
Powder:H335 - 35.5 grains
Primer: CCI 41
Bullet: Hornady 150 gr SST
OAL: 2.295”
AVG Velocities: 2441
SD: 10.9
Comments: No feeding or cycling issues.

Here is the target from 35.5 gr of H335. Seeing some potential as I work my way up to 38 grains.
 

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TXCOONDOG

Highlands, Texas
30 SaberCat , 16” Barrel w/1:11.25 twist and mid-length gas system

Weather: Clear, 68 degrees with no wind
Date: 11-05-2018

Brass: FIre formed (FF) Dasher at 1.575” Length
Powder:H335 - 36 grains
Primer: CCI 41
Bullet: Hornady 150 gr SST
OAL: 2.295”
AVG Velocities: 2433
SD: 4.0
Group size@ 100 yds: .997”
Comment: No feeding or cycling issues.

Brass: FF Dasher at 1.575” Length
Powder:H335 - 36.5 grains
Primer: CCI 41
Bullet: Hornady 150 gr SST
OAL: 2.295”
AVG Velocities: 2470
SD: 9.3
Group size @ 100 yds: 1.253”
Comments: No feeding or cycling issues.

Brass: FIre formed (FF) Dasher at 1.575” Length
Powder:H335 - 37 grains
Primer: CCI 41
Bullet: Hornady 150 gr SST
OAL: 2.295”
AVG Velocities: 2488
SD: 8.8
Group size at 100yds: 1.030”
Comment: No feeding or cycling issues. Starting to see minor ejector swipes so getting close to max. Even though I could go up 3/10th of a grains per charge until I reach 38 grains, I don’t feel there is going to be much of a gain in velocities or accuracy at this time.

In short, Moving on to AA2200.

Note: It’s been 6.5 months since I filed my paperwork for a Ti can so I’m working on my hunting loads for accuracy (flying true), velocties, etc to ensure there are no baffle strikes. Hopefully, I’ll get my stamp soon!
 

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TXCOONDOG

Highlands, Texas
30 SaberCat , 16” Barrel w/1:11.25 twist and mid-length gas system

Weather: Cloudy, 80 degrees with a cross wind of 12 mph
Date: 11-07-2018

Brass: FIre formed (FF) Dasher at 1.575” Length
Powder:AA2200- 31.5 gr
Primer: CCI 41
Bullet: Hornady 150 gr SST
OAL: 2.295”
AVG Velocities: 2337
SD: 21.3
Group size@ 100 yds: .848”
Comment: Did not hold bolt open on last round

Brass: FIre formed (FF) Dasher at 1.575” Length
Powder:AA2200-32 gr
Primer: CCI 41
Bullet: Hornady 150 gr SST
OAL: 2.295”
AVG Velocities: 2356
SD: 33.4
Group size@ 100 yds: 1.008”
Comment: Did not hold bolt open on last round

Brass: FIre formed (FF) Dasher at 1.575” Length
Powder:AA2200-32.5 gr
Primer: CCI 41
Bullet: Hornady 150 gr SST
OAL: 2.295”
AVG Velocities: 2395
SD: 12.7
Group size@ 100 yds: 1.877”
Comment: Did not hold bolt open on last round

Brass: FIre formed (FF) Dasher at 1.575” Length
Powder:AA2200-33 gr
Primer: CCI 41
Bullet: Hornady 150 gr SST
OAL: 2.295”
AVG Velocities: 2465
SD: 15.8
Group size@ 100 yds: 1.621”
Comment: No feeding or cycling issues

Brass: FIre formed (FF) Dasher at 1.575” Length
Powder:AA2200-33.5 gr
Primer: CCI 41
Bullet: Hornady 150 gr SST
OAL: 2.295”
AVG Velocities: 2481
SD: 17.2
Group size@ 100 yds: 1.411”
Comment: No feeding or cycling issues

Brass: FIre formed (FF) Dasher at 1.575” Length
Powder:AA2200-34 gr
Primer: CCI 41
Bullet: Hornady 150 gr SST
OAL: 2.295”
AVG Velocities: 2515
SD: 8.8
Group size@ 100 yds: 1.291”
Comment: No feeding or cycling issues

I’m going to work my way up in 3/10th of a grain increments until I hit a wall (velocity) or seeing pressure signs.
 

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TXCOONDOG

Highlands, Texas
30 SaberCat , 16” Barrel w/1:11.25 twist and mid-length gas system

Weather: Sunny at 70 degrees
Date: 11-17-2018

Brass: FIre formed (FF) Dasher at 1.575” Length
Powder:AA2200- 34.5 gr
Primer: CCI 41
Bullet: Hornady 150 gr SST
OAL: 2.295”
AVG Velocities: 2550
SD: 10.3
Group size@ 100 yds: .925”
Comment: No feeding or cycling issues

Brass: FIre formed (FF) Dasher at 1.575” Length
Powder:AA2200- 35 gr
Primer: CCI 41
Bullet: Hornady 150 gr SST
OAL: 2.295”
AVG Velocities: 2575
SD: 15.8
Group size@ 100 yds: 1.577”
Comment: All five pieces of brass had raised burrs on the rim from hard extraction
 

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TXCOONDOG

Highlands, Texas
After round after round confirmation of repeatability, various weather conditions, etc I’ve settled on the following load:

Brass: FF Dasher at 1.575” Length
Powder: H322 @ 33.5 gr
Primer: CCI 41
Bullet: Hornady 150gr SST
OAL: 2.320”
AVG Velocities: 2390 FPS


Here is a pic of the average suppressed 10 shot grouping
 

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Wildfowler

Mis'sippi
SUS VENATOR CLUB
Looks to be accurate? What was the distance that target was shot at?

I like no neck turning.

What does it take to get this up and running? Assume barrel, bolt, and reloading dies?

Who makes the bolt and dies?

Thanks.
 

TXCOONDOG

Highlands, Texas
Barrel, bolt and dies are made and sold by Mad Dog Weapon Systems.

My goal was to find a round with ballistics between 6.8 SPCII and .308. I also wanted a scouting rifle that was 7lbs or less with a 1.5-8 Vortex Razor Scope and Ti suppressor with MOA accuracy at 100yds. Felt recoil is somewhere between a 6.8 and 308.......with a suppressor it’s feels more like a 6.8.

With the 125 SST and AA2200, I was around 2750-2800 fps, but I was not satisfied with the accuracy. Since I hunt a lot of dense wooded areas, I wanted to run a heavier bullet and a temp stable powder so I settled on the 150 sst and H322 powder.....for now anyways!

If you decide that you are interested in this wildcat...... all the information (load data sheet) can be found in the MDWS forum section under Sabercat.
 
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TXCOONDOG

Highlands, Texas
Build Specifications:

The 1:11.25 twist barrel is a threaded 16” Ranger profile with fluting between the gas port and barrel extension and weighs 28 or 29oz. My entire build with a 15” SLR Helix handgaurd, Brownells LW BCG, Aero Precision slick upper (no forward assist) , Mag Tactical lower, Tubbs flatwire carbine spring, H2 buffer, minimalist stock, SLR Ti adjustable gas block, Aero Precision 1” ultralight scope mount, 1.5-8 Vortex Razor scope, suppessor cover, and Ti suppressor weighs 7lbs carring weight.
 

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J BAR K

Just trying to make a day.
SUS VENATOR CLUB
LoneStarBoars Supporter
Good luck! Looks like it will be accurate for sure. That’s some good shooting!
 
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