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Post by sniperjohn on Aug 20, 2011 20:09:40 GMT -5
I have killed several deer with a patched roundball shooter over many years and own a 54 Thompson Scout I shoot with conicals, but got my first Smokeless Savage earlier this month. It will be a while before I shoot it as I put things together.
Found the forum today. Looks like a nice community with a great buch of guys and a good resource as I get more into my new rifle.
John
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Post by sniperjohn on Aug 20, 2011 20:19:48 GMT -5
A scope I have that will top it is an odd one. Burris Fullfield 30, 3x9x40, with the illuminated E dot.    |
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nic58
8 Pointer
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Post by nic58 on Aug 20, 2011 20:46:27 GMT -5
The blue/laminated is a pretty gun. You'll like it, not doubt about it!
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Post by gunny on Aug 20, 2011 20:50:13 GMT -5
Ihave the same gun except in stainless. You will like it ;D
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Post by rick59 on Aug 20, 2011 21:45:24 GMT -5
Very nice looking rifle, I really like the looks of the blue/laminated combo myself.
My brother-in-law has a blued 10ML still in the box that I'm going to try and talk him out of. I've got a rifle he's been asking about that I may just have to let go of to get it.
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Post by sniperjohn on Aug 21, 2011 0:16:56 GMT -5
I agree, the combination is a beautiful rifle. I had always wanted one. When I found out these last ones was likely the final production run, I figured I better get one now.
It was a messed up deal finding one. The first dealer, after I paid with a credit card online, said it required an FFL. Nuts. I presented all sorts of documentation to show it did not and that Texas was not a muzzleloader FFL State either. They contacted their ATF field agent and he agreed it needed an FFL because it used smokeless powder. Even after I communicated directly with the Agent he would not budge. After I negotiated a refund. I bought it from a different dealer on gunbroker for $12 more who gave me no problems. Turned out it was just down the road from the first dealer.
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Post by ET on Aug 21, 2011 2:28:57 GMT -5
Sniperjohn
Welcome to the Board and the world of smokeless muzzle-loading.
A suggestion for consideration is replacing the supplied ramrod with the 10ML-II.
A solid aluminum ramrod topped with a Spinjag. This will help with tight loads and for bullets with a more pointed nose you may want to try.
Ed
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Post by pposey on Aug 21, 2011 8:43:48 GMT -5
Man you have moved wayyyyyyyyyyyy on up! Read alot of the tips section and get the right components
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Aug 21, 2011 11:02:36 GMT -5
The addiction has begun,beware,lol. Pretty gun.Deer don't like them.Welcome aboard...!!
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Post by dannoboone on Aug 21, 2011 11:19:43 GMT -5
Sniperjohn, welcome to the board!
That's one nice looking rifle.
Too many bureaucrats in government have a lot more power than
intelligence!
If, at first, she does not group well for you, do not get
discouraged. Make note of every detail, read the "Hints & Tips" at
the top of this smokeless page, and above all, ask questions! The
only dumb question here is the one which is not asked. ;D
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Post by zakjak221 on Aug 21, 2011 11:23:16 GMT -5
Welcome to the board and "The Addiction".
Smokeless Muzzleloading is a beautiful thing.
EZ clean up,no smoke clouds,cheaper cost per shot,more fps and all the support on this board--what a deal!
Read,post,practice range sessions,buy accessories,buy another smokeless ML & repeat until your gun safe is full. ;D
Mark
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Post by Richard on Aug 21, 2011 16:50:27 GMT -5
Welcome aboard sniperjohn.............When fitting you bullet/sabot combination, just make sure it is a tight fit. Should generally take two hands to push the load down. If it loads too easy, it may not ignite......or maybe just the primer. Sometimes you will see the powder come out the end of the barrel along with your bullet tumbling down the range ;D If it does not come out of the barrel and the primer did ignite? MAKE SURE YOU RE SEAT THE BULLET! If not, and you fire a second primer? You might be looking for a new barrel  Richard |
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Post by 10ga on Aug 21, 2011 19:10:59 GMT -5
Welcome sniperjohn! Glad you took the plunge. I shot MLs since the mid 60s. The smokeless ML is a very different beast from BP MLs I can assure you. I have 7 guns for BP and subs and after getting my 1st Savage MLII, I now have 2 MLIIs in .50 cal and a Encore 45-70 conversion to SML. Initially I struggled to get my Savage to shoot as I wanted but with help from the guys on the board here and some guys locally, they are here too, I finally put it all together and WOW! SMLing is great. I will advise you to lurk about here a lot before you pop the 1st cap. Use the search engine as it is your friend, and ask questions on the open forum or by PM. As the others have said go through the tips and hints forum too. I'm not a diehard paper puncher as I shoot mostly to develope hunting loads and for recreation. I'll post a link to some info that will help get you started. Keep us updated with progress and any problems. Again welcome, 10 ga dougsmessageboards.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=smokeless&thread=8159&page=1Link above will take you to more information and more links. Does that seem slightly familiar? |
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Post by sniperjohn on Sept 4, 2011 22:23:27 GMT -5
Thanks for the welcome and the help guys. Finally got around to adding the scope. It is topped with a Burris Fullfield 30 European with the post/electa dot reticle. I shoot a couple vintage sniper rifles that have the old post reticle and really like them for getting on target fast, so thought I would give this modern version a try. And then Warne quick release rings that seem to be so popular with this rifle, so I can easily remove the scope depending on where I am hunting.  Almost there. I am going to add the better cleaning rod and spinjag. Add a Montana sling to carry it with. Test some loads at the range and I should be off to a good start. |
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Post by pposey on Sept 5, 2011 7:34:42 GMT -5
Looks good, those are good rings , I have 2 pairs on my go to centerfires, but the levers sticking out usta bug the heck outa me, I taped the rings for a slightly larger hex head bolt and got rid of them.
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Post by GMB54-120 on Sept 5, 2011 15:29:25 GMT -5
If im not mistaken, those rings come with allen heads also to replace the "levers". A older set i got came with them IIRC. Adding one small tool to the "possibles" bag isnt that much of an issue if you want a "cleaner look IMO.
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Post by deadon on Sept 5, 2011 19:47:32 GMT -5
SJ , I became a Mossy horn asking hundreds of dumb questions and only once was I made to feel stupid here at Dougs. Welcome to the greatest board on the planet. IMHO, we are all still learning, Rusty
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Post by birdkiller1 on Sept 5, 2011 21:48:41 GMT -5
Welcome aboard sniperjohn. I just got started myself and I have the exact same gun. Mine likes 65 or 66 grains of IMR 4198 with FTX 325 gr bullets and orange mmp sabots. You make think about someone adding a third pillar to make removing your bolt and breach plug a lot easier. Richard is a wonderful gunsmith and has treated me great. Good Luck
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Post by pposey on Sept 6, 2011 12:47:49 GMT -5
Mmmm mine didn't come with any non lever bolts,,, the stock ones were pretty darn skinny as well so I beefed them up a little ;^)
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Post by Flatland Hunter on Sept 7, 2011 10:04:49 GMT -5
SJ, Welcome!
Third pillar would be nice... but I bedded mine (from barrel nut back to rear pillar on a laminate stock) and have found no significant movement of the sights when loosening the rear stock bolt to remove bolt and plug. I just retorque the stock bolt to 35 in lbs after reinstalling the plug and bolt.
In fact, just shot it Monday and am putting my load right where it was last December... after cleaning twice with the rear bolt removed. So it is nice but not a necessity if you have a good bedding job. IMO.
You will find this site can be informative and very addictive... I sometimes have to remind myself I only want to hunt with it not just punch paper for groups. The guys come up with so many good things and ways to modify the 10MLII you can get caught up in it very easily. So far I have been able to fend off the desire to get a .45 cal barrel and go sabotless.
You will find the Savage to be a vary satisfying firearm to hunt with... with a little modification here and there. This site will help you skip over or address hurdles that have stymied others until finding Doug's. Your learning curve just got greatly shortened... as has been suggested, read all that you can, search, then ask questions.
I know there is a lot on .45 mods here recently but the .50 stuff is still here and a lot of us still shoot with factory barrels.
Have fun!!!
As a starting load, especially for hunting... I recommend the BO (.458 300gn Barnes Original Soft Spire Point), HBC (Harvester Black Crush Rib) for .452 bullets (it is just the ticket for the .458 BO, nice tight fit), and Reloader 7 powder (65-70 gns) or (if you can find it) Vihtavuori N120 (58-62 gns, most find 60 as the magic number). If you can't find the BO I have also used the .458 300 gn Remington Hollow Point (bulk pack).
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Post by boarhog on Sept 7, 2011 12:58:27 GMT -5
SniperJ
Welcome to the board! All of the tips listed above are great! I would like to add a couple of things that caused me trouble when I was learning this "Smokeless" shooting. It is much different than black powder or subs.
1. Heat is your enemy! Wait at least 15 minutes between shots on warm days. I couldn't stand the waiting, so I opted for a Cooling Rod to use between shots. You can get one from Rossman40, or make one yourself.
2. Your scope and mounts look great, but double check to be certain that the front edge of the base clears the recoil lug between the barrel nut and the action. I had to grind a bevel on my base because it was touching. This caused random fliers.
As others have said, do not hesitate to ask questions here. We all want you to be successful.
Boarhog/Robert
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Post by pposey on Sept 7, 2011 18:54:27 GMT -5
Yep gotta watch that front base contact,,,
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