your opinion on a load to get goin

[bowtech833]

I haven't shot my Savage ML yet. Im getting my stuff together, scale, scope, base,and rings ect. In your opinion, what would you get as far as bullets and powder to begin sighting this gun in. I was thinking N110, with a 250gr. SST or XTP. I'm looking to have a range of up to 250yds. Thanks

[rossman40]

Book loads of N110 or 4759 would be the best choice for 250gr bullets IMHO. 42gr of N110 or 43gr of 4759 seemed to be the sweet spot with my rifle.

[nic58]

When I first started out with the 10ML-II, I used VV N110 @ 42 grs., 250 SST w/ Harvester short black sabot and a Win. 209. I was getting sub 1" groups right out of the box with that setup. That's a good place to start for sure!

I still use the Harvester short black sabot, but now use a 300 gr. SST w/ 60 grs. VV N120 and have moved up to a magnum primer, the CCI 209M. It'll shoot great with either load.

[gunny]

250 FTX 43 grs of 4759 CCI M 209 smooth black Harvester. gunny

[artjr338wm]

Welcome to the board.

I am one of the least knowledgeable hear, but I feel I know enough that I can safely recommend a few good starting loads.

I feel I should offer a slight caution in your choice of N110. It is hands down a super performing powder in the 10ML-II, but before I would make it my powder of choice, I would make sure you can get your hands on it as often as you will need it. VV powders are often quite hard to come buy for months at a time and I would confirm that you can get it OTC before you commit to it. Buying powder M/O one or two pounds at a time is IMHO extremely expensive when you add up S&H and Haz-mat fees.

Although many, many 10ML-II owners have enjoyed success using both XTPs and SSTs, (my 10ML-II will shoot XTPs at or below 1.25" with boring regularity) I strongly as possible recommend you give bullets with a OD of .458" a try first. I will list for you three loads that worked extremely well IN MY 10ML-II and you can use that info along with all other load suggestions you will receive here.

LOAD #-1:
Hornady .458" 325 grain FTX Cost around $26 for box of 50
Harvester Black Crush Rib sabot
65-70 grains of H-4198
Federal 209A Primer

This load is at present my #1 go to hunting load of choice and will perform superbly at the the ranges you listed. Credit for this bullet and load go to a extremely well known member here besides myself.

Load#2-
Hornady .458 300 grain Hollow Point Cost around $22-25 per/50
Sabot, powder, and primer same as above

I have shot both of the above loads and have enjoyed excellent, consistent accuracy.

If you have your heart set on shooting XTPs, I can not recommend to you strongly enough to use the 300 grain XTP as it is the experienced based opinion here of many that it will hold up better on shots made that encounter a major bone mass VS the 250 grain version. This is the load that shot best for me and I would use to hunt with:

300 grain .452" XTP load:
300 grain .452" XTP
Harvester Smooth Black sabot for use with .452" bullets
65-68 Grains of H-4198
Federal 209A primer.
This is a great load in my gun giving me better than factory claimed accuracy.

Having listed all the above, I feel I should also ask you exactly how much shooting you wish to do with you 10ML-II as that again IMHO has allot to do with choosing what loads and components to buy to shoot. It makes little sense to invest in 2-3 different powders and bullets if you plan on taking only as many shots as necessary to get prepared for hunting.

If you are only going to shoot enough to develop a load, and check your zero prior to hunting, you can not go wrong with sticking to Savage Factory loads using SR-4759 or the 2 other Savage recommended powders. If I would have been happy shooting 300 grain XTPs and SR-4759 I would have stopped load development on my first range session as a Savage recommended "Book Load" using .452" 300grn XTP's, SR-4759, Harvester Black sabots, and Federal 209A's as this load shot nice little 1" clusters at 100yrds over and over.

You will also do well to visit the sub-board here of Savage loads that contains all of the loads developed by the sites members. It would be about as good a source for you to pick a starting load or two to begin with.

I also should tell you I enjoyed excellent results equal to that of the Federal 209A's, using CCI 209M primers as well, so you should be fine using either.

Good luck and you should get allot more suggestions from other members here.

Arthur.

[boarhog]

Arthur,
I have to disagree with you a bit! You have certainly contributed plenty since I found this board.

Bowtech,
I also suggest that you visit the Tips and Hints section of this board. Lots of good info there that could save much frustration. The #1 advice I can give: Wait plenty of time between shots to give your barrel a chance to cool!

Welcome to the board!
Boarhog

[dans]

N-110 was one of the first powders I tried in my rifle and it was clean burning, accurate and with the 250 SST took 8 deer for me and my son. He still shoots that load. I went with 4759 because it was easier to get and my local dealer carried it. If you work up a load with N-110, I would buy big canister of it and never have to worry about where to find it. I use CCI 209m primers exclusively and have a good supply of those also. I practice a lot with 250 Hornady XTPs and switch to Barnes 250 MZs to shoot deer with. I use MMP sabots either HPH-12s or 24s depending on the fit in my various Savage rifles. The sabot/bullet fit in the bore is IMO the most critical part of the accuracy equation. Not too tight and not too loose but just right. Maybe 40 lbs pressure to seat the bullet. The plastic jar 4759 may require up to 45 or 46 grains to get the speed and accuracy you require. The rifle will tell you what it likes.

[rangeball]

I use 42gr N110 with a 250gr bullet in my SMI. I have set up two stock .50 savages for a buddy and brother in law, both with 42gr N110 and 250gr bullets. Both shoot fantastic and have taken several deer.

[Richard]

If you want a little more zip! Try 46 gr. of N-110 for about 2400 + fps with the 250 gr. bullets. When I was shooting the .50, it accounted for a 2 ish, ten shot group. Of course, as your velocity goes up, your shoulder goes back ;D
Richard

[zakjak221]

250 or 300 gr Horn. XTP's with MMP shorts or harvest. ez load short black sabots,42 gr N110 or 43 gr SR 4759 would be a good starting load. A lot of guys also start with 44 or 45 gr's of AA 5744.
Welcome!

Mark

[pposey]

Aug 8, 2011 21:11:52 GMT -5 rossman40 said:

Book loads of N110 or 4759 would be the best choice for 250gr bullets IMHO. 42gr of N110 or 43gr of 4759 seemed to be the sweet spot with my rifle.

Yep 4759

[pposey]

Having the right sabot for your bullet and a really good snug fit is the most important thing

[mike.dawson]

book loads that came with the manual

Mike

[GMB54-120]

N110 and 4759 are a good place to start if weighed. Ive even dipped N110 with limited success with the 40gr? dipper but i poured it from a flask and scraped off the top. I DONT RECOMMEND THIS.

IMO you will be very happy with N110 and bullets ranging from 225gr to 300gr. I like it because it is VERY clean and seems really easy to ignite. Even loads below books loads can shoot well. It can safely make some really nice speeds too if desired with book loads. I wouldnt push the 250gr SST too fast. Match the bullet to its designed fps and you will be much happier.

If you dont want a speed demon, try the good old 5744. It is better with dippers and ignition is excellent in any weather. Its just dirtier and not very fast but plenty fast enough for killing deer. Personally i avoid 300gr bullets with it and use other powders.

Its pretty funny, Doc White used it to test his ThunderBolt 451 and 504 with about 38gr and a 350gr PowerStar sabot at only 1650fps. He loved that load and it worked great according to him. HE DOES NOT OFFICIALLY APPROVE USING IT THOUGH in his guns.

[ET]

Bowtech833

If this is your first venture with smokeless ML’ing then I agree with Mike.Dawson about starting with book loads. This will IMO help get you familiar with your equipment and understand some of the nuisances you may encounter in getting a good working load. Here too developing a good loading technique is also beneficial for carrying over to other what I call exotic loads.
Welcome to the world of smokeless muzzle-loading and new heights for hunting. Reaching out to your intended target is now not as restricted as it previously was.


Ed

[bowtech833]

Thanks for everyones input, much appreciated.