Savage Smokless Powder Muzzle Loaders

[acearch72]

Has anyone used the Savage smokless power muzzleloader?

If so, comments good or bad.  I plan to get a ML this year.  I was leaning to the TC Encore for more versatility, but the smokeless powder option is intriguing.

[doegirl]

Question #1: Is smokeless legal to use in the state you plan to hunt in (can still use black in the Savage, though).?

[Keith Lewis]

If you cannot use smokeless I would not recommend the Savage for traditional black or any of the synthetics as there are other rifles that will do the job as well or better for less money. The Savage is a very heavy rifle as well which for hunting might not be the thing you are looking for. I personally would stay with one of the other made in America rifles. I had one of the Spanish barrel Traditions rifles and it shot OK but was less than impressive compared with my Omega or any of the Thompson Center sidelocks or the NEF Huntsman that I own. My Lyman is also a lot more rifle than the Pursuit LT was. It is the only one I have now that is not American made. Lyman rifles are in my opinion superior to any of the Spanish imports (sorry guys but that is just my opinion and likely subject to debate). According to a book I have it states that in LA nitrocellulose powders are NOT LEGAL. Looking at the other requirements or basically the lack of requirements; I would consider an Omega with a scope which is my personal elk buster and it does the job quite well.

[acearch72]

Smokeless powder is legal where I hunt.  I think that I would basically prefer the Encore, however I don't particularily like the level of cleaning required for the BP, hence the smokeless seemed a good choice for me.

That said, the pellets of BP are pretty convenient also and seems easier than bulk powder.

Comments..........

[elkstalkr]

DEFINETLY buy smokeless if its legal in your state!

I bought mine just this past winter and love it.

[acearch72]

elkstalker,

what rifle did you buy?  I am a novice at this muzzleloader thing.

[Keith Lewis]

Smokeless powder is legal where I hunt.  I think that I would basically prefer the Encore, however I don't particularily like the level of cleaning required for the BP, hence the smokeless seemed a good choice for me.

That said, the pellets of BP are pretty convenient also and seems easier than bulk powder.

Comments..........

There is a smokeless barrel available for the Encore if you want to go that way but the expense is going to be greater than the Savage. The barrel is not available from T/C but from www.smokelessmuzzleloading.com site. The other way is to buy a Huntsman or other NEF or H&R centerfire rifle and buy the smokeless barrel from above site. The second way is cheaper. $325 for the barrel and usually about $150 for the rifle. I have a Huntsman and am considering the barrel although the smokeless powder is questionable as to whether it is legal in Arizona. The wording is not very positive in the regulations. Pellets are a pain in my opinion. Loose powder is great all you have to do is measure in in advance and put in containers that can be dumped down the barrel (also a lot cheaper). Loose powder does not have to be put in right side up like the pellets.

[elkstalkr]

acearch,

I bought a Savage 10ml-II.  Sythetic stock/blue barrel.

You can get them from Natchez.  Probably the cheapest around  Here:

http://www.natchezss.com/category.cfm?category=19&brand=BV&catLevel=1&CFID=2806773&CFTOKEN=11358077

You might want to check out this site also, http://modernmuzzleloader.com/phpBB/index.php

Its got some good members with great info on smokeless and smokefull muzzleloading.

[simonkenton]

I have the Savage with the plastic stock/blued barrel.
It is a great rifle, I love it. I got 1 1/2 inch groups right out of the box.
It is great to be able to hunt all day, shoot a deer, and go home and not clean the rifle.

A very informative site is:

http://dougva.proboards34.com/index.cgi?

[kudzu]

Savage Smokless ALL THE WAY
Have had one for about 3 years. Have shot several differant loads and have gotten great results from most . My current load for hunting is 69gr H4198 with 300gr SST. One bad mamba jamba on whitetails. Shot one last year at 176 yrds. Complete pass-thru  shot thru the lungs. Didn't have to track far, but there was a blood trail that RAY C. could have followed.

Did I say Savage Smokless ALL THE WAY.   Good Luck, DM

PS- At 100 yrds a 5 shot group will all be touching if I don't flub up.