Hello from Saskatchewan!

[carsyn22]

Hello thanks for a spot on this forum! I am from Saskatchewan, I currently hunt with a TC omega Z5 but have recently been researching about the whole SML world and am intrigued! This is the only site I found where people seem to grasp the idea of SML with powder chambers and smaller bores than traditional inlines. The attraction for me is extra seasons and easier cleanup/no cleanup during the season. I have a savage 116 300 wm that could probably be used for a build, however I don't know of any smith in Canada who works with these things, least I haven't found any.

If I can work out the details and a parts list I may end up building a SML on my savage, I don't feel I could afford the high end customs, but a barrel, brake, install, dies and components might be doable.

Saskatchewan hunting regs only state that it is illegal to hunt with any rifle other than a muzzleloader, during a muzzleloader season. No additional clarification of what constitutes a muzzleloader that qualifies, so I'm thinking that a .30 cal with performance like a 300 Win mag would be just fine. I don't think I would go for anything over .40 cal, just too much recoil. (I am curious to try paper patched bullets but they may not work with a muzzle break, hence the recoil consideration.)


Any suggestions, thoughts, comments, or contacts would be appreciated!

P.S. I am a reloader and am aware of the necessity of witness marks, as well as the difference between measuring by weight vs volume, and that SML need to be treated more like modern cartridge guns in regard to choosing an appropriate powder burn rate as well as charge weight.

[ET]

Welcome aboard.
Here the main interests are 40, 45 and 50Cal SML.
There are numerous loads available to choose from but nothing for a 30Cal that I'm aware of.

[carsyn22]

Thanks! I'm not set on .30 cal...just an example to explain that to my understanding I am not restricted to any bore size like most states are, however anything bigger than .338 would be a little more work finding full bore bullets to shoot. They can be found, just not at my favourite gun shop.
I found several threads that are at least a couple years old already, by Mcgowen45, seems he played with a .25, .338, a couple of .358's, and I think a .375 as well. But nothing recently.

I have a question regarding seating bullets in a gun with a powder chamber. Could a guy use a charge that does not completely fill the chamber? My 300 win mag for example can use IMR 3031 but there is a fair bit of extra case capacity, which isn't an issue because the bullets are held by the neck and crimp. Now in a SML could I put a stopper on the ramrod so that the bullet only seats to the mouth of the chamber, preventing me from seating it too deep and dropping into the chamber. Obviously this would require a bullet sized big enough to hold itself there...(I understand most people load every load at 100% capacity and seat the bullet on the powder which even compresses it, I'm talking about the possibility of loading less than 100 % capacity)

Reason I ask is because if this would work it would allow more flexibility for a load that doesn't require the muzzle brake, it may also allow for more direct correlation to cartridge loading.

would be nice if it was that simple, maybe I'm way out to lunch tho...

[ET]

Carsyn22

I’ve been reloading cartridges for many years and put that knowledge on the shelf when using an SML.
My approach is bullet load is always contacting bore all the way onto the powder. Then add some compression as well to aid in good ignition. Change this approach and you could be finding problems popping up and are on your own. You decide.

[carsyn22]

I see, and I agree, the approach you describe is quite a lot different than cartridge loading. I just wondered if anyone here had tried something like what I described but if you don't know of anyone then I would guess probably not. I don't intend to try it without proper equipment and safety, which is beyond my means right now so I guess I will just keep my ear to the ground and try to learn some more in the mean time. Thanks for your answers!