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Post by chilipepper on Feb 21, 2009 14:03:00 GMT -5
I've been reading and learning for a while now and i've decided to go smokeless. my first problem is what gun to buy. i have a NEF handi rifle so i thought about getting a SMI barrel for that or just buying a used savage. I've read loads of information about the savage but not much on any SMI guns. i have a few questioins on them such as, how long is the breech plug life on these? are the SMI actions capable of handling the same pressure of a savage? and finally has anyone done or thought about getting a .45 from SMI? would love some help i'm sending an email out today to SMI today but i wanted to here what everyone on here thought, thanks
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Post by encoreguy on Feb 21, 2009 14:57:33 GMT -5
I have been where you are and I did a Encore barrel. The barrel quality is much better than the factory Savage. With the action you have, you can go with a longer barrel (28" is their standard") so you can use slower burning powders to get the velocity you want. I don't know what plug they use now, but I think their plug would benefit from a vent liner to keep a consistent size. They make a good product for the money. With the Savage you get a good trigger and faster lock times than with a hammer gun. I have a Savage now and really like it, but I have spent some money on a different stock, bedding and 3rd pillar. If money is tight the SMI might be a good way to go. With the Savage, you have a great resource on this site to help you on the right track. Don't know if I helped you much or not, but both ways will give you a nice gun to get into smokeless muzzleloading.
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Post by sw on Feb 21, 2009 16:04:01 GMT -5
If money was tight(and it is for a lot of us now) and I had a NEF action, I would get a 40 cal SMI with at least a 22 twist or faster if it was legal where I live. If the 40 is not legal, I would get a 45 with 22 twist, but slower would be ok. The 50 is still great but NO ONE I know who has ever started shooting a 45 ever went back to a 50. Some 45 cal shooters graduated to 40 cal  . Virtually none have gone back. When DD tries the 10/75 VV-110/H-4350 200SST or 195 Barnes in his 40, I'll be able to say NO ONE has gone back to a 45 from a 40. Just wait and see. Sorry, I couldn't help it. PS You can have a ventlinered BP made. |
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Post by Dave W on Feb 21, 2009 17:28:27 GMT -5
Mine is a .45 Ruger #1 converted by SMI, there are a few on here that also have one. Had the plug drilled and tapped for a Savage vent since some had problems with the primer blowing with higher pressure loads. No problems with primers blowing with this set up. Also has a Shilen barrel instead of a Douglas which they normally use.
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Post by dans on Feb 21, 2009 18:36:55 GMT -5
For the money you would spend on an SMI you will have nearly the price of a savage. The savage is stronger actually over built for its purpose. You can get a 45 SMI. I have one in a 1 in 28 twist and it shoots around an inch at 100 yards. The barrels are smooth and accurate. The savage has the safety factor of the accutrigger to help prevent accidental discharges even if dropped. The Savage can take higher pressures than the SMI and you can gain some power and velocity. Accuracy wise they are both about the same. I would start with the Savage. I have 3 SMIs and 4 savages and if I could have only one it would be a Savage.
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Post by chilipepper on Feb 24, 2009 18:06:14 GMT -5
times are tight so i think i'll buy the SMI .45 barrel. the said i could get a 30" for $400. I'll most likely buy it early in summer so i'll keep you all posted on what comes up thanks for the help
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Post by encoreguy on Feb 24, 2009 19:22:09 GMT -5
times are tight so i think i'll buy the SMI .45 barrel. the said i could get a 30" for $400. I'll most likely buy it early in summer so i'll keep you all posted on what comes up thanks for the help Better order it now, it can take a long time for them to get them built. |
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Post by Dave W on Feb 24, 2009 20:25:57 GMT -5
times are tight so i think i'll buy the SMI .45 barrel. the said i could get a 30" for $400. I'll most likely buy it early in summer so i'll keep you all posted on what comes up thanks for the help Better order it now, it can take a long time for them to get them built. What he said, 6 weeks turned into 6 months. |
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Post by smallmunster on Feb 25, 2009 20:51:50 GMT -5
I have a SMI 45 and like it pretty well. It is lighter than the Savage and was cheaper as I had a NEF shotgun laying around. I went with the standard 28" barrel and had the trigger worked on. The Savage trigger is still a lot better. I really wanted a NULA but didn't want to wait a year and couldn't justify the extra grand. Two of my brothers have savages that I have shot a lot and I wanted something lighter and wanted to try something different.
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Post by chilipepper on Feb 25, 2009 22:05:43 GMT -5
i've already had a trigger job done so i'm a step ahead there. nothing close to dads savage but it pulls clean and crisp at around 3 lbs which isn't horrible but its the heaviest trigger out of all the guns i own
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Post by moto357 on Feb 26, 2009 11:58:27 GMT -5
just ordered from SMI a 45 with 1:22 twist and a heavy straight taper at 25". Ron and Dan talked me out of the vent liner, and I figure someday if it needs it I can drill and thread for the liner. I'm pretty anxious to get this thing in the mail, probably a month or two.
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. Virtually none have gone back. When DD tries the 10/75 VV-110/H-4350 200SST or 195 Barnes in his 40, I'll be able to say NO ONE has gone back to a 45 from a 40. Just wait and see. Sorry, I couldn't help it.
