These are things I read about over at "Dougs" using barrel cooler's and such..Long wait's between shot's keeping an eye on the vent liner...and the loads you use in the warm month's not being even close in the cooler weather...These are thing's to know before I drop $600.+ on a gun I might not like in the long run. But information like this is what I am looking for. Now on the + side there are people who claim accrracy beyond expectation..3" groups at 250 and 300 yds. One claims with witneses ...1.5 high at 100 yds..and then only 6" low out at 250 yds...I like the trajectory better that is for sure. Please keep the posr's coming. Drop
Drop
I have been pouring over the post at "Doug's" site as well. It is a great site and it does hold allot of info about the 10ML-II, maybe too much.
When folks post on line, they do it because of something happening that is "different" than normal mostly. I think we can agree a board would fold if the members posted everytime they shot their rifle and it was great groupings and the rifle worked perfectly. So most will only post problems. Of those problems, allot of them have to do with either a customized (ie non factory) rifle (if ever so small), a load that is not factory suggestions, or can be narrowed down to shooter error. After searching the web and boards for the last two weeks for literay hours (I'm off work due to a broken ankle and bored!), I personally haven't seen anything that would keep me from buying a Savage. In fact, you could replace Savage with another name like Glock, T/C, Remington, or whatever and I'm sure you could get similar results. As for specific problems like vent liners, I place that in the "I'm shooting a heavier load than I need" pile and go on.
You are going to have to let the rifle cool between shots. It is throwing out a faster bullet than BP or subs, and that causes more friction and a hotter barrel. But, don't you have to wait between other muzzleloader's shots as well? I mean, if you want to have a group and not a pattern. You might have to wait a little more with the Savage, and you will be bored because you don't have to wipe the barrel out after every shot.
Every rifle is different, but if the fear of working up a load is holding you back, then why not just use the factory load that Savage used when sighting it in the rifle? I have about ten loads written down that I have found. These are made from three different powders, two different bullets, and two different sabots. At least five are equal to the factory loads. The complains you here on Doug's site is mostly from folks trying to get sub MOA groups that can drop a rhino at 300 yards. And from mostly customized rifles with custom barrels. And as far as a load not grouping in cold weather after producing nice groups at the range in the summer, well I would guess someone using a bench at the range and firing at a deer in the fall. Sounds like "buck fever" to me.
And I want to say that I'm not anti-Doug's board. I have learned allot about the Savage there and allot of it amazing abilities. Allot of member there are hunting yotes at 300 yards with the 10ML-II! I learned the different barrels and calibers available and stock options. And I learned that the Savage is a great rifle out of the box with factory loads. The thread on the XTP bullets tells allot about the Hornedy bullet's use, mostly by everyday hunters.
To sum it up, most complains are from folks who shoot from a bench and want a sub MOA rifle at 300 yards. They are not happy with 1.5" at 100 yards for some reason. They may think the deer will sneak trough that 3" differance, I don't know. The same folks are infected with Timitis wanting "more power" and will be the first to blow up the 10ML-II. If in doubt, use factory loads. And if you want your rifle to shot the same in the winter as the fall, then learn to use a sling and shoot off the bench!
Jerry
Jerry
