smokeless muzzleloaders question

[reloadxx]

im in the market for a new muzzleloader been reading alot of good things on these savage ml i no nothing about smokeless ml my question is whats the pros and cons between a smokeless and a regular ml like an encore? any help will be appreciated

 

[ttf909]

depends on who answers the question.
i have both. the smokeless does not require the cleaning that bp or sub does. it also does not smoke. so you can see what you have shot . when i used a chronograph on my load it was 2024fps near muzzle. my 308 only had 2200.
very reliable . my knight disc is still a fun gun to shoot. no cons that i know of. for load info ask "ewc"

 

[reloadxx]

What about the smokeless powder does it slow u down alot due to the powder measuring? I have never reloaded bullets or had to measure powder except for the old hammer style ml

 

[ratsnakeboogy]

Your smokless loads should be pre-measured with an accurate scale +- .1grains. I loaded 25 up the other night in about 40 minutes, weighed each one twice. It will not slow you down hunting if that's your question, but NEVER measure smokeless by volume.

I recommend your weigh and sort your sabots and bullets as well for best accuracy.

I'm getting 2550fps out of my .45 and that load is not all that hot.

I still have my knights though, I like shooting Blackhorn at times but smokeless is amazing.

x2 on asking "ewc", he is quite knowledgable with smokeless loads.

RSB

 

[reloadxx]

Thanks for the help

 

[Hoz]

I built my first smokeless last year off a Rem 700ML with a McGowen barrel and I love it. I am hooked big time. My favorite load with H4198 and Barnes 195's was shooting over 2600fps with sub 1" groups at 100 yds. As Don said, pre-measure your loads for hunting. I still measure my loads on the range as it gives me something to do as I wait for the barrel to cool and I can try different loads if I want to. But once I find the load I like I pre-measure. I spend a lot of time on "Dougs message board" Great info and great guys that have a ton of knowledge on smokeless that are always ready and willing to help.

Rob

 

[East TN Hunter]

I changed to a Savage MLII last year and will never go back. No smoke = you can see what you shoot. It is a legitimate 200 yard gun.

You can simply use Lee dippers. That's what my buddy does and he shoots around 1" groups at 100 yards. I weigh on a Lee scale (about $20 if you do not have one). I already reload so that is my preference. It only takes less than a minute to weigh a load.

I have not yet got into sorting anything by weight. I have simply went with one of the Savage recommended loads (45 grains of Accurate Arms and 250gr Hornady XTP) with great results to 200 yards. Two kills last fall.

Another big advantage is price per shot. Old ML = $2 per shot. This one is about $0.65 per shot. Great results on game too.

Only negative is that smokeless heats up the barrel quicker. You have to wait a little longer between shots.

 

[EastTNHunter]

Only negative is that smokeless heats up the barrel quicker. You have to wait a little longer between shots.

X2. I go 5 minutes between shots on long range sessions. In the woods on 2 or 3 shots it won't matter. And for the record, I am the original EastTNHunter :grin:

 

[sqezer]

I myself took the Big Plunge, I already had a CVA Apex in .45 so I went and got a 45-70 Begera Barrel and had a Savage Plug installed in it, but haven't had time to get it to the range yet.

 

[JohnP]

I myself took the Big Plunge, I already had a CVA Apex in .45 so I went and got a 45-70 Begera Barrel and had a Savage Plug installed in it, but haven't had time to get it to the range yet.

I have a CVA Apex also converted to .45 cal. smokeless. It is a pleasure to shoot, and maintain. Bergara 45-70 barrel w/Savage plug installed. sqezer, when you shoot yours, you will be pleasantly surprised!

 

[FrontierGander]

my opinion : stupid.

If they are shooting smokeless powder in an encore, chances are they have a smokeless barrel conversion on them.

Very dangerous thing to do telling others they are shooting smokeless in their encores without knowing what actual barrel is on their guns. The last thing we need is something blowing them selves up do to lack of knowledge of whats going on.

 

[Howa]

my opinion : stupid.

If they are shooting smokeless powder in an encore, chances are they have a smokeless barrel conversion on them.

Very dangerous thing to do telling others they are shooting smokeless in their encores without knowing what actual barrel is on their guns. The last thing we need is something blowing them selves up do to lack of knowledge of whats going on.

I agree with Frontier Gander, never thought that would happen, lol. Let's say you do it and don't have any problems for several years, so what, the next shot could be the one that blows your face off. If you don't have a smokeless barrel, don't shoot smokeless!