Need help with savage ml2

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Coop

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Sweetwater, Tn
I need help on picking out a load for my new ML2. I need a load that will be dead on at 200 yard. And has alot of knock down. I like Barens Bullets. I have 15day before i hunt SC. Can I get the Barnes to shot in my new gun? All I hear is sst How do they shot An what do they do to a deer?
 
To get zeroed at 200, you'll have to be +4.3 inches at 100 (If you use any of the Savage book loads). A better option IMO would be to zero at 150 - which would make your rifle +1.9 inches at 100 and -5" at 200. If you have a scope with turrets or holdovers, then you have much more in the way of options.

I used the sst because it was cheap and shot well out of my gun. I have not found a need to shoot the Barnes out of my .50 yet (my .40 is seeing the Barnes regularly, but that's another story).

FWIW - the 250 sst has held up for me from 30 yards to 326 yards. It's plenty good for deer.
 
I'm using the 300 Hornady XTP (non mag version) in MMP short black sabots over 44 grs. of AA5744. It's a highly recommended load by many others and performs well. I'm zeroed 2 inches high at 100 yards which puts me about dead on at 150 and I'm hitting 6-7 inches low at 200 yards. I just have to remember that when stretching it to watch the yardage. Shots out to 160 or 170 yards are no brainers.
 
I've recently found a sweet spot with 300gn sst and 58 gn of n120 4 in high @ 100 hits solid @ 200,and 300 mz exp with 60 gns of n120. I learned the hard way no two savages are alike. you have to find that spot for your gun. book loads are the best starting point. steve
 
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fullstream-

Have you had the chance to chrono your load? Sounds like your in the range of 2,200 fps. I'm just guessing as I've never shot that load.

Thanks-
 
The powder I have is VihtaVuori N110. I shot 240gr hornady with 43gr powder with good groups at 50 yards. But I don't know what it will do at longer ranges, I am 1 inch low @ 50 yards. a friend told me that it would be 1.75 inchs high @ 100yd & dead on @ 200yds. This load shoot 1in groups at 50 yards. but have not shot it at long range yet. What will this bullet do on deer? I shoot other bullets with same powder but none shoot groups like that. Is this a good powder?
 
Your friend is wrong. The numbers don't work and my actual shooting experience at 200 says no too.

You are likely low at 100 (about 1.5") and extremely low at 200 (about 13").

My best guess (if you make POI +1.75" at 100, using 2,300 fps)=

50= +1.12"
100= +1.74"
147= 0
150= -0.20"
200= -5.14"
250= -14.06"

If you are dead set on a 200 yard zero then at 50 yards, you need to be +2.40", which will make you +4.30" at 100, and zeroed at 200. However, and I don't mean this badly, but no way I'd plan on shooting at 200 if I had not practiced at that range.

I'd follow any of the above loads and advice on drops and start shooting.

VV-N110 is as good a powder as any. If that hornady is the xtp mag version, then your fine there too. If its the .429 xtp, I'd switch to a bullet that is .452.

Good luck.
 
Thanks for the help I want be shooting the 240 grain bullet I Am going the shoot several bullets this week end. Any suggestion would be gratefull.
 
Coop said:
I need help on picking out a load for my new ML2. I need a load that will be dead on at 200 yard. And has alot of knock down. I like Barens Bullets. I have 15day before i hunt SC. Can I get the Barnes to shot in my new gun? All I hear is sst How do they shot An what do they do to a deer?
Click to expand...

Well since you are limited in your time before going to hunt you might not be able to get the perfect load by then . If I were you ,just to get a quick setup combo, I would go with the 250 or 300 grain Barnes EXP(Expander) with 43 or 44 grains of the N110.Those bullets come with the recommended SABOT for that gun which is crucial for its accuracy. I use the N120 with 60 grns of powder and get 2inch groupings at 200 yds. I have set up several Savage ML and the Barnes EXP in 300 and 250 generally shoot well in that gun. There are many other great shooting combos of bullets and powders out there but it takes time to find the perfect setup for your gun. Once you have more shooting time and can test other combos you can get some really tight groupings. Just remember this time of year with the warmer weather you will need to wait in between shots to let the barrel cool or you will get very erratic groups. They recomend 5 minutes but I wait 10 to 15 but I now have a barrel cooler that speeds that process up to less than 5 mins. Also my guns like a "dirty " barrel, by that I mean I do not clean mine between shots. I have found my groupings will stay better when I do not swab the bore. Although this gun has great range and speed and making a 200 yd shot is no challenge for it I will have to agree with EWC that you need to practice that range of a shot . Even though it travels at a higher rate of speed than your more common muzzleloaders there are still a lot of factors involved with making a long shot such as that with a ML,wind and rate of drop with a big bullet can surprise you not to mention any technique flaws a hunter my have. Good Luck in your hunt! :grin:
 
gbee said:
250 grain Hornady SST with 43 grains of SR4759 with Winchester primers
Click to expand...
I've also tried this load and liked it. Last year when the head was damaged (some may say it still is) I backed it off to 40 grains to reduce recoil a little and still got good performance.
 
I tried the 45 cal 250 grn xtp it shot great with Vhittavori 44grns it is 1 1/2 hi at 50 yards what can i expect at 100yds? I will shoot again tomorrow. Do u know how fast it ? I thank all for all the help. Hunt next Wed in SC I want to uses this Gun.
 
Approximately 2,300-2,350 fps.

You need to verify the following in the field-

50 +1.5
100+2.55"
150+1.14"
200-3.22"
250-11.14"

A close shot of less than 75 yards and that bullet will frag.
 
1001081210a.jpg
 
Thanks for all the help! I ended up with the 250sst With vv110 44.2 gr. What a load it shoots great. Thanks with all the help. This my first deer with the savage ml And my First SC deer.
 

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