2 more does....300 XTP, SR4759

[slipperhead]

This new load has made my stock ML10 come alive! Two nice does over the last two days.

This evening's doe was a nice 3 1/2 year old. Broadside double- lunger from about 90 yards. Ran 75 yards, or so. Very little blood between the shot and where she piled up; rare for the XTP in my experience. Open woods, easy find.

Two evenings ago, it was a 1 1/2 year old. A quartering toward me shot looking a bit down from about 50 yards. Devestating spinal clip with exit just behind diaphram on opposite side. Nasty wound but down in her tracks!

We will be grinding burger and sausage tomorrow morning!

Good hunting!

Garland

[ET]

Slipperhead

Congrats and happy to hear you found a good working load.



Ed

[slipperhead]

Thanks, Ed! My personal N110 experience was very frustrating but I put up with it for a number of years. Couple that with learning that you can't shoot and shoot at the range without a LOT of cooling between shots and the Savage ML was a challenging experience.

Like a lot of things, I have finally learned the secrets of smokeless muzzleloading and have MUCH more confidence in taking longer shots. At around noon yesterday, I shot a target at 150 yards just to ensure the rifle was zeroed. The bullet hit about 1 inch right of the bull. Good enough, considering the rifle rest I was using off my hood!

I'm really looking forward to my new .45 REM700 build. Should get it soon but I'm already realizing that my original .50 ML10 rifle will be seeing some gun safe time once I get the .45 going! Hopefully, my son will take an interest in hunting with a muzzleloader soon!

Garland

[ET]

Slipperhead

What you conveyed from your experience holds so true.
I too had to learn you just can’t string consecutive shots with sabots without losing control of accuracy. Residual heat buildup from repeated firings just creates havoc with your groups if you don’t allow cooling time or assist the cooling process to speed up cooling time. Yes there are other factors if you are seeking better accuracy but the number-1 factor to deal with is bore heat.

Best wishes on your new endeavor with the upcoming 45.
Hopefully your son will be enticed to take up muzzle-loading and fulfill a father’s desire to one day hunt together.



Ed

[zakjak221]

Congrats on your deer Slip!
The 45 is a great thing,enjoy.

Mark

[DBinNY]

Nice work. That 300gr XTP is a good bullet for a lot of the shots we get. You'll love the .45 too!