Were the Federal the tipped Expanders?
The Hornady's must have been the SST's
I like the 3/4 ounce Barnes expanders at 1900 fps.
Bingo.
For sabots, I have always liked the results with Win. Nosler Partition Golds or the now defunct Win. Supreme Hi-Impacts.
If they would just have hit remotely consistant (only in a pipe dream), the Brenneke 1 1/8 2 3/4 of old was just wicked nasty when it hit.
I just don't like the idea of any .50-72 cal with the S.D. of a quarter needing a tip or "expanding". A decent nose is all that matters.
