I volunteer as a hunter ed instructor in New Mexico. This story surfaced here and one of our instructors wrote to Savage. This is the story we have here (moral of the story? be careful what you read.) :
Subject: FW: NM Savage Model 10MLSS .50 caliber Muzzleloader Rifle
Date: Wed, 14 Apr 2010 08:19:32 -0600
From: jennifer.morgan@state.nm.us
Instructors:
This email is in response to a message w/photos that I sent out last month regarding the Savage muzzleloading rifle that utilizes smokeless powder. One of our local instructors sent the chain to Savage to investigate. Savage replied that this email chain is a hoax and the correct information is provided in the link below if you wish to read the whole story.
Jennifer Morgan
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: Joseph DeGrande <jdegrande@savagearms.com>
Subject: NM Savage Model 10MLSS .50 caliber Muzzleloader Rifle
This e-mail has permeated the net as a ‘scare tactic’ to discredit Savage Arms and the reputation we have gained for safety and reliability. We will not justify its existence or the political/personal motives behind it by issuing a formal response. We will however point to an independent article which clearly covers many aspects involved (
http://randywakeman.com/HowToBlowUpASavage10ML.htm ).
Joe DeGrande
Director Of Customer Service
Savage Arms, Inc.
jdegrande@savagearms.com
(413) 568-7001 ext 4139