Smokeless ISO Savage MLII Small Shank Takeoff Barrel

[EastTNHunter]

I know that it's a long shot, but if anyone on here owns or has a line on a decent small shank takeoff barrel I'd appreciate it. I'll go aftermarket with a .45 from Arrowhead if I can't find a decent takeoff for a reasonable price, but I'll give it a few months before making that decision.

 

[Jcalder]

Just get the prefit. You'll be much happier with a 45 than a 50


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[Antler Daddy]

How much are you looking to spend?

I would prefer a better barrel that is easier to load.

 

[EastTNHunter]

I will go aftermarket if I have to, but was hoping to find a takeoff right now due to budget and nostalgia. I used to have a 10MLII that I killed lots of deer with, and some of my best bucks, so I guess I just have a soft spot for it. I also have RL7, sabots, .458 300gr hps, 325 ftxs, etc, so it would be far more economical to go with a takeoff.

All of that being said, I'm not 100% opposed to a prefit, but I'll likely have to wait a little longer to be able to buy, install, and shoot it. I may end up going that direction in a couple of years even if I do find a takeoff.

 

[EastTNHunter]

Well... she's waiting on a recoil pad and DNZ scope mounts, then the VX3i will go on top.

 

[mike243]

Did you find a take off barrel?

 

[EastTNHunter]

It is a takeoff. I may end up with an aftermarket 45 in the future, but this will get me going for now

 

[EastTNHunter]

Well... I shot the Savage MLII with the takeoff barrel. I took it to the range, knocked over my gun, and killed my Leupold VX3i. It goes back to the factory tomorrow. But the first two shots (39gr N110, 250 FTX, short black MMP) at 100yd before then were within 1". After the bump, no bueno - couldn't keep them on paper at 100 or 50, and I was letting the barrel cool at least 15 minutes between shots. Hopefully I'll have it back before ML season starts.

So, I mounted a VX-1 on it that I had just picked up from a member and had mounted/zeroed on my 760, then I shot it to 75yd in the backyard (longest that I can get in my backyard). Below are the results.

Three shot groups out of the ML, except the bottom left, and the marked sighter on the bottom right. Guess which one was the absolute shoulder stomper that I was hoping wouldn't be the most accurate? I'm going to retry the 250gr FTXs and 39 & 40gr of N110, and also the two RL7 loads.

 

[Andy S.]

62gr of RL7 looks like money. I love cutting the same hole. Most recoil and most accurate this day, correct? How did sabots look with each charge?

 

[mike243]

I shoot 43g of n110 with 250-300g , deer stompers lol , if you want to make a drop chart the Nikon spoton app works well , I decided that I really didn't need it up to 250y . most of my shots are 100y or less, the farthest was 267 steps across a river bottom, deer fell within a couple feet of where it was shot

 

[mike243]

Next time I run into RL7 I am going to pick up a jug, have almost a pound of N110 left so may be awhile and may put a 45 barrel on it before I run out

 

[EastTNHunter]

I've tried N110 a few times with 250s now, but whenever I get over 41gr I blow sabots. 40gr seems to be pretty accurate so far. The first time that I tried it I had a poor rest and wasn't getting the best groups.




I'm gonna try the 325gr loads (59gr and 62gr RL7) as well as the 250gr with 40gr N110 again tomorrow, then decide from there. I'll be honest, if the 325/62gr load is the best shooter, it will have to be the best by a long shot for me to use it; recoil is pretty brutal. 325/59gr is not bad, and I'm sure that it will have a little bit more oomph than the 250/40 load, but I've not shot either over a chrono yet.

 

[EastTNHunter]

I had a dud primer pop on me before the good primer set the flyer off. I'm willing to call that flyer a true fluke due to that. Not sure if the first primer would have gone off correctly if it would have put that shot in with the other three.

 

[mike243]

Did you recheck your load to see if it moved it up the barrel? if you didn't I would bet it did and that's what caused the flyer

 

[GMB54]

59gr of Re7 and a 325gr bullet wont be any speed demon but im sure its plenty fast enough to get the job done. 40gr of N110 and a 250gr is over 2100fps. Should be a little over 2200fps.

 

[EastTNHunter]

Did you recheck your load to see if it moved it up the barrel? if you didn't I would bet it did and that's what caused the flyer

That's my theory as well, Mike. I'm not 100% sure, but I wasn't going to get in front of the barrel to find out, if you know what I mean. I've heard of some pretty significant delays on gang fires, and I'm "gun shy" on that. I'd rather have a flyer than the loss of life or limb.

 

[EastTNHunter]

59gr of Re7 and a 325gr bullet wont be any speed demon but im sure its plenty fast enough to get the job done. 40gr of N110 and a 250gr is over 2100fps. Should be a little over 2200fps.

I shot both loads again over the weekend and the 59/325 load shot best. I'm hunting with it this year, but will definitely tinker with the 40/250 load again in the future.

Best that I can tell, this load should give me somewhere around 1950fps, which is plenty for 200yd and in. A lot like a standard 45/70 load

 

[GMB54]

59gr of Re7 and a 325gr bullet wont be any speed demon but im sure its plenty fast enough to get the job done. 40gr of N110 and a 250gr is over 2100fps. Should be a little over 2200fps.

I shot both loads again over the weekend and the 59/325 load shot best. I'm hunting with it this year, but will definitely tinker with the 40/250 load again in the future.

Best that I can tell, this load should give me somewhere around 1950fps, which is plenty for 200yd and in. A lot like a standard 45/70 load

That is a pretty good guess. Maybe slightly more but i dont think it would be lower. Its very close to the FTX lever gun ammo that Hornady sells for 45/70.