Help me build my Muzzleloader

[jeremyks]

I will use it for mule deer and elk. Where I hunt mule deer the state has no powder restrictions but you must use bullets larger than .39.
In New Mexico for elk (if I ever draw) requires 45cal or larger and no smokeless powder.

I have my eye on a Remington 700 ml and thinking about doing a smokeless conversion to it. In the event I hunt in a state that I can't use smokeless powder can I use black powder? Also if I install the pacnor or equivalent barrel on it can I use an increased load of black powder to help increase velocity?

Whats everybodys thoughts on 45 vs 50 on mule deer and elk?

[rossman40]

We are the cutting edge for the 700ML upgrades, ask a question on a build and someone can answer it.

I do not think a .45 or even a saboted .40 would be a no-go for elk or mulies. If you go with a .45 barrel it will allow you to shoot .45 bullets sabotless and .40 saboted. .40 saboted bullets in a .45 pushed out with smokeless is a tack driver regardless of the frame you decide to build on. As far as BP subs the BH209 is the way to go but many states are catching on that it is more smokeless from the "Buckskin boys" (traditionalist) whining about it. With the faster burn of smokeless you get to use shorter barrels and if you go with like 4 pellets as some of the custom ML guys like to use as a selling point, you need a longer barrel to burn it.

[Deleted]

as Rossman said, there is no reason a .45 will not suffice for mulies or elk. these barrels will burn bp subs as well as any gun will. the 700 ml is a very good base gun to build on. several here have done one and several are now in the process. ask where to get what and how to put it together and you will get plenty answers....

[jeremylong]

IMHO I would do the DD drop in 45 panor in 26" barrel length and not look back. It sounds like you would be hunting the mulies first, so get some H4198 and saboted barnes or sst's, CCIM 209 primers, hunter bolt kit, it will let you enjoyable take mule deer a good ways out there. Proven combo, time and time again.
After you get comfortable then you could start doing the sabotless 45 if you wanted to use a heavier bullet for the once in a lifetime elk hunt stuffed with some BH209 or T7.
So yes that combo would work with BP subs and fit the bill for both critters.
But as you will find out, there are allot of different options, I personally think this is probably the easiest most proven way.

[mountainam]

If your new barrel is ordered with a faster twist you would be able to handle a Hornady 300gr .411" jacketed bullet in the sabot configuration. Plenty of medicine for elk. Good Luck on your build.

[Deleted]

look over the build your rifle section/ several of these are in progress

[jeremyks]

Ok guys thanks for the direction. Will this type of build allow for higher velocities using BP subs over the normal black powder gun?

[fishhawk]

Mar 8, 2011 18:46:44 GMT -5 jeremyks said:

Ok guys thanks for the direction. Will this type of build allow for higher velocities using BP subs over the normal black powder gun?

As rossman40 said, more bp sub does not make more speed unless you use a longer barrel. A 25" any thing will make the same speed with a bigger bp sub load just makes more smoke and flames. Lengthen the barrel, then more powder makes it go faster. If you went .45 saboted to .40 you could use lighter bullets such as the 195 Barnes and gain speed. Or go .45 sabotless and use a higher bc bullet like the 325 Parker, it goes slower but holds speed better. For your use I would build a .45 700ML with a Pacnor DD 700 ML barrel or a soon to be savage-barrels.com DMB 700ML barrel. 25-28" long would shoot Blackhorn 209 loads pretty fast, and smokeless loads faster than you might think. The Pacnor will be more accurate than any mass production ML and we hope the DMB to be just as good but cheaper. Ask questions, we will help!