Savage questions

[cecil30-30]

First off,what kind of accuracy can I expect to get my my savage? Its gonna be atleast another month before I can get some money to get a scope and the other accesories I need for it,so I won't be shooting right away.But I need all the info I can get.What kind of loads are you all shooting out of your savage's? I don't need a super hot load,just a load that will kill deer and do it accurately.

While reading the manual it brought up the breech plug wrench..I didn't get one.I got a 3/8 size socket.Do I just put an extension on it to remove the breech plug? And they also included 5 hornady 45cal 250gr xtp bullets with MMP 50 cal black sabots..How do these really shoot in the savage?? I was thinking of trying the barnes 250gr tez's until they included the hornady xtp's..I guess i'll try them first since they are free,and if I remember right,they are cheaper than the Barnes. Another question, which powder is a good one to use and start out with? Savage lists IMR,Accurate Arms and Vihtavouri.Which should I start out with? Sorry for the questions,Im a total noob to smokeless muzzleloading..I also know nothing about smokeless powder just that it is alot more powerful than blackpowder and that it has to wieghed on a digital scale. Please inform me...Thanks

 

[pressfit]

I weigh my powder (imr 4759) on a regular rcbs gunpowder scale.. not a digital one..
I did a ton of research on bullet sabot combos..
you will want to shoot what was sent with the gun.. very accurate.. mine shoots a 1 1/2 group or less at 100 yards with the combo. cant tell you about the plug/socket I havent cleaned mine yet..lol..

 

[pressfit]

also I wouldnt hesitate to hunt with the iron sights they are wonderful.. If I had not of had a extra scope on my loading bench when mine came in i would have gone old school... I'm loading 43 grains of powder..

 

[Huntaholic]

The stuff they sent with it is exactly what Im still shooting in mine. As far as powder goes, Im using AA5744. Yes, there is faster stuff, but this stuff shoots GREAT! I would suggest you start at 44gr. and work up. Each individual rifle is likes different weights. Im shooting 47gr. in mine. Accuracy is extremely good with these guns. If you cant beat 2", keep trying different components because these guns are capable of way better than that. Mine will cut holes at 100 yards.

 

[cecil30-30]

I can't wait to shoot mine...

 

[ttf909]

i can get 3 shots less than 1 inch at 100. 42gr imr and 300 gr barnes 457010 those hornady xtp do great but just a little too fragile for the velocity

 

[ewc]

I like the Hornady 250 sst @ 2000-2,300 out of a .50

The 250 xtp is excellent too, just do not smack a shoulder @ 2,300+ fps - BTDT. Volleyball impact.

The Barnes is overkill for shots less than 200 yards.

The ONLY Barnes I would use in a .50 would be the .458" 300 gr in a Orange sabot. Best Barnes mz bullet made with respect to b.c. -but if you don't push it to 2,500+ fps, you will be wasting time and money. I would only use this bullet/sabot combo if I planned on shooting 200+ yards consistently. Otherwise, waste of t&m.

Stay away from the PR Bullets. While I believe they are a FANTASTIC muzzleloader bullet at bp velocities, they are NOT fantastic in the Savage.

.50 caliber @ 200 yards or less - .452 250 SST CANNOT be beat.

 

[ttf909]

do the 250sst come in bulk or just packaged for ml sales?

 

[ewc]

per packaged AFAIK.

Off topic:

I do know if you shoot .40 or .45 you can buy .40 195gr Barnes in BULK.

That is what I do.

 

[FULLDRAWXX75]

I like the Hornady 250 sst @ 2000-2,300 out of a .50

The 250 xtp is excellent too, just do not smack a shoulder @ 2,000 fps - BTDT. Volleyball impact.

The Barnes is overkill for shots less than 200 yards.

The ONLY Barnes I would use in a .50 would be the .458" 300 gr in a Orange sabot. Best Barnes mz bullet made with respect to b.c. -but if you don't push it to 2,500+ fps, you will be wasting time and money. I would only use this bullet/sabot combo if I planned on shooting 200+ yards consistently. Otherwise, waste of t&m.

Stay away from the PR Bullets. While I believe they are a FANTASTIC muzzleloader bullet at bp velocities, they are NOT fantastic in the Savage.

.50 caliber @ 200 yards or less - .452 250 SST CANNOT be beat.

I will second the 250 SST bullet, I used this bullet and a powder recommandation from a member on this site and I was totally blown away at the performance I got. Dropped a buck dead in his tracks at 90 yds. quartering away from me. The bullet entered about 5-6 ribs back on the rt. side and exited just behind the left shoulder, neither hole was excessive, but the internal damage was massive. I don't see myself using anything but my current setup, unless they stop making the SST.

FDXX75

 

[cecil30-30]

What sabot do you use with the 250 SST?? The sabot supplied,or do you use the black MMP sabot??

 

[FULLDRAWXX75]

What sabot do you use with the 250 SST?? The sabot supplied,or do you use the black MMP sabot??

The ones supplied with the bullet

FDXX75

 

[Andy S.]

I like the Hornady 250 sst @ 2000-2,300 out of a .50

.50 caliber @ 200 yards or less - .452 250 SST CANNOT be beat.

I do too, all because of Judd's (ewc) recommendation last year to me. I described my typical hunting scenario (woods, maybe fields, 95% of shots under 100 yards, 99% under 200 yards) and Judd put me on this fantastic combo. They shoot great out of my MLII with 43 grains of IMR SR 4759 (each charge weighed on digital scales). My buddy just bought a MLII and he is shooting same combo out of his and getting better/tighter groups than my setup. I plan to spend some time at the range experiementing in Jan/Feb with a chrono to see just what my gun likes the best. Best of luck Cecil, I have no doubts you will LOVE your MLII.

 

[Andy S.]

The ones supplied with the bullet

X2

 

[Andy S.]

You can get 50 250 grain SST's (0.452) with red sabots for $25 or so. I just ordered some from my local gun shop to experiement with in Jan/Feb.
http://www.natchezss.com/product.cfm?co ... ID=HO45202

If 50 is too many, you can grab a 20 pack for $13 or so to see if you/your gun/setup likes them before purchasing bulk pack.
http://www.natchezss.com/product.cfm?co ... le=Hornady

 

[cecil30-30]

Im gonna try the xtp's and the 250gr SST's,and see which shoots better.Gonna start with Accurate arms 5744...