Loved my original 50 but the 700 Rem/Macgowen I have now is a completely different league.
Smokeless muzzleloader
- Thread starter philsanchez76
- Start date
If you miss your target with my 700 muzzy,don't blame the gun,love it,carry it sometimes in gun season
- Joined
- Jan 7, 2016
- Messages
- 2,043
I bought a 700 ML and had intentions on sending it to arrowhead to have it converted. Then ran across a good deal on a Savage and didn't get around to it. I need to talk to Tim about getting mine converted.
Had my savage since they came out. Tack driver and no issues at all. Zeroed at 220.
Pm sent
JCDEERMAN
Well-Known Member
I'm really interested in going smokeless. What calibers of the Rem 700 are capable of this? Also once it's purchased, what is the average cost of the conversion (roughly)?
No doubt about it. Smaller, lighter, more compact and nimble, and deadly accurate out to 300 yards. My converted .45/70 CVA Scout V2 conversion gets the nod every hunt now, while my poor Savage .50 hasn't seen the light of day in years.
JCDEERMAN
Well-Known Member
If you go this route, are you still able to switch back and forth between smokeless muzzleloader and .45/70?
No, the original .45/70 extractor assembly, ejector pin, etc is removed when the gunsmith machines the barrel for the breech plug install. It becomes a .45 caliber muzzleloader at that point. I can shoot either smokeless powder (100% my choice), Pyrodex, or Blackhorn 209 if needed.
JCDEERMAN
Well-Known Member
Thanks, Andy. I was watching a video on youtube and the guy was explaining you could with his Rem 700 build and could actually make the conversion in the field, if necessary, without any tools.
I'm debating on making the investment or waiting on the eventual CWD to get here to Hickman and muzzleloader season being converted to rifle - Therefore not making the investment may be a wiser choice.
This is where I am for the majority of my hunting. Basically no need for me to have a MZer unless I travel outside of Unit CWD, or OOS. I can still tote my .45 smokeless if I like, and I do occasionally, but it's hard not to grab a high powered rifle if you can.
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philsanchez76
Well-Known Member
300 yard accuracy would be amazing. I hunt MZ or slug only WMAs and I've just about had it with the slug gun. And I hate practicing with my muzzleloader cuz of the pain of cleaning. This is what prompted the switch. I want an accurate gun that I actually enjoy practicing with. I finally just tracked down a CVA scout in 45-70. Gonna either send it to Hankins or Tims (not sure if he does the CVA barrels or just rem 700s) or Arrowhead. Anyone have a preference? Seems they both get high praises.
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^^^ All three of those guys do quality work. You will love the .45 smokeless conversion. Short, nimble, compact, accurate and will hammer deer.
philsanchez76
Well-Known Member
Andy since you have the same gun I've got, do you have a magnum primer system going or the 209 primers? And are you running straight bullets sized to your barrel? Or saboted? thx!
FED 209A, Harvester smooth light blue sabot. .40 cal 200 grain SST, 60 grain H4198, about 2,600 fps.
This ^^^
If you reload, there's no reason not to shoot sized bullets and ditch the sabots. I prefer the magnum primer ignition over the 209, tho for what most of us do I'm not sure it makes much difference
philsanchez76
Well-Known Member
I've got the most basic single stage press and I reload for 270 and 357 magnum. So bullet sizing doesn't seem like a stretch. My question is do you have to have one of the more expensive barrels to make it worth it? Will my lowly cva scout see that much better accuracy with sizes bullets and magnum rifle primers? I definitely don't mind the little bit of extra work.
I feel you open up your options if you size the bullets. The die is expensive, but worth it. I never did shoot enough sabots to know if there's a big difference in accuracy, but either way was more than acceptable.
