10ML question

[tazman1602]

Hello All,

I'm a new guy here, got referred by someone over on cast boolits forum ( and no I do not spell "bullets" like that....).

I have a Savage 10ML Stainless, non-accutrigger that I bought in 2001 according to my load records. I have never been very happy with it and don't want to shoot smokeless in a muzzleloader -- not because of the propaganda blowups, I'm an engineer and know from doing my own calcs that if you blow one of these things up? You have really, really screwed up. I just don't like the dang gun.

Question is, how much would it be worth if I tried to sell it? Scope bases included but no scope, all tools are there, less than 100 rounds of pyrodex/BP down the tube.

Thanks for the info!

Art

[whyohe]

sorry you dont like it. but if you want to try we will help you to get it to shoot. I can almost guarentee it. I shot T-7 and hornady SSTs for 4 years. I would first tell you to look at the scope base and make sure its not riding or even touching the recoil lug. that is a big cause of inaccuracy. i use 2 pellets of T-7 and could get touching at 100 yards almost religiously. but if you want to sell it post it in the BUY/SELL section. you can even look in there and see what others have sold for get aa good estemate.

[sw]

Is it a 10ML or a 10ML-2?

[esshup]

sw, all the ML-I's were blued. If it's stainless it's a ML-II, but looks like a pre-accutrigger model.

[tazman1602]

Yes it is a pre-accutrigger model but in very good shape. It is also a 10ML-II. You guys on this board have been a bad influence, I just made a post that I went to the powder store today as I am going to try Savage's recommended smokeless loads of SR4759 and AA 5744.......

...and I can't find my blasted breech plug wrench that I used last year because it comes apart once a year to clean whether I shoot it or not. Got any idea where I might get one?

And you know, on the subject of not liking it? That's MY fault, not Savages. I bought it thinking it was the end all do all of muzzleloaders and it's like any gun I own -- it has it's quirks and need to be properly loaded to do it's job so that's on me not the gun.

I have a Ruger that will shoot NOTHING but "X" bullet behind "X" grains of powder at "X" cartridge overall length so I don't know what I'm complaining about actually.

Best group I've gotten with the 10ML-II believe it or not was with 2 pyrodex pellets and a saboted 265grain Hornady XTP and that was 3" groups @ 100 yds. I'm actually dying to try it out since I've been reading this board about the smokeless use.

WHYOHE -- Thank you for that information on the scope bases, I don't *think* it is touching the recoil lug but I will SURE look now.

Thanks for all the help here.................

Art

[tazman1602]

UPDATE:

OK I found my breech plug tool and got everything set. Spent some time shooting today with what I had. Here's the issues I've fixed so far:

Primers: I was using CCI 209's and one of the reasons I hated this rifle was at times I had to use a rawhide mallet to beat the bolt open to get the primer out once fired. This was with pyrodex.

Solution: Changed to Winchester 209's and problem went away, still have to try some Federal's I bought also.

Accuracy: Really bad

Solution: Switch to smokeless 4759 and 5744. I now have reliable ignition and fair accuracy although I have some work to do. Shot a number of different loads -- my loads are MILD compared to what some of you guys are shooting, ranged from 39-42 grains of 4759 and 5744. Tried a number of different bullets from Hornady 240gr saboted to Hornady 265gr XTP saboted to my own hard cast, sized .431, 300 grain cast bullets.

However unbelievable it is, the 300 grain cast saboted and 40 grains of 5744 appears to be a real winner for me. Here's a pic of my 300 grain groups (upper left and right) with 40 grains of 5744 -- it was shooting so good I just kept right on a shooting. The middle group was the Hornady 240 grain with 40 grains of 4759.

Even though I've been scared to shoot this with smokeless to this point I am sold now. These targets are offhand (well I had a post to lean against) as we've got snow and I didn't feel like trudging out back to my regular range so they are also at 50-60 yards. Still not bad shooting for an old guy with bad eyes.

Got to get out to the 100 yard range and get dialed in for ML season next weekend, but there is hope with me for this gun now. Any other suggestions are certainly welcome. I have limited access to components but will certainly try what I can.

Thanks for all your help!

Art

[10ga]

Taz, You might fire off a PM or post for screwbolts. He has probably more experience than anyone on this board with the MLII and cast boolits. I think bout everybody in his camp uses his cast boolits and a variety of loads/powders. Guess my buy/trade offer is history now, ha ha. You're gettin there. The challenge is great but the process is fun. Keep us advised of progress. Nothing makes a teacher prouder than to inspire and be surpassed by the student! Bob