Range Report on new-to-me Savage 10 ML II

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

This is a .50 cal inline ML.

Function ==> Fine, except that safety doesn't engage. I attribute this to the trigger job performed by previous owner or his gunsmith. Which is very good by the way; almost too light.


First, generally note that the bore is much larger than any other MLs I've shot. Most loads slid down the barrel with ease - way too much ease to be tight. So generally speaking, I think your larger bullets sizes will do better.

Granted, I didn't try very many, and certainly not even in exhaustive combos among the components I had, but what little I do report here may help someone, since I tried several HORRIBLE loads, then lastly, luckily stumbled upon one VERY good load.

All used Remington Kleenbore primers. I was using BP equiv rather than smokeless yesterday in this rifle.

First, the load combos that were "Teh Suckage" (and I do mean abysmal):
(A) 1. 100 gr Tri 7 (two 50 gr pellets)
2. Nosler saboted .429 HP bullets, 300 gr
3. Lube used on bullet?: YES

(B) 1. 100 gr Tri 7 (two 50 gr pellets)
2. "Precision" brand non-saboted ".50 cal" non-jacketed lead conical bullets, 390 gr
3. Lube used on bullet?: YES

(C) 1. 100 gr American Pioneer (two 50 gr cube sticks)
2. "Precision" brand non-saboted ".50 cal" non-jacketed lead conical bullets, 390 gr (same bullet as B above)
3. Lube used on bullet?: YES


Finally, the load that was spot on in producing nearly 1" groups at 75 yards (thank all that is holy because the sun was setting!)
1. 100 gr Tri 7 (two 50 gr pellets)
2. Sportsman's Warehouse "Vital Impact" brand 330 grain saboted bullet: Very long; unknown as to exact diameter of bullet itself or of the sabot
3. Lube used on bullet?: NO

Allow me to note that the "good" load was the only one that felt halfway tight going down, so I do believe the KEY here was NOT using any lube on the bullet. Evidently that allows the sabot to stick and thus obturate better. I can't prove it but that's my theory. Fine for saboted loads, although I doubt going without lube on a non-saboted bullet is a good idea, is it?

Why is the bore on the Savages so much larger than others?

Maybe my other ones would have also worked well had they not been lubed? Possibly? Other thoughts? (besides - I know, I know - use loose powder granules, not pellets....)

Who makes those "Vital Impact" bullets for the S.W. store brand? Thanks all.

 

[arcticap]

MMP does make sabots with different diameters. They even mention one's looseness with the Savage so that's not isolated to your rifle.

With a .452 diameter bullet the HPH12 is .507-.508" diameter, the HPH24 is .505"-.506" diameter.
If you have a tight loading rifle you may want to choose the HPH24
or if you have a very tight rifle, consider our 3Petal-EZ.
However, if you shoot a Savage muzzleloader with smokeless powder the HPH24 may not fit tight enough to consistently ignite the smokeless powder.
The HPH12 is the stronger of the two sabots although both usually shoot very well with hot charges.

http://www.mmpsabots.com/

Near the bottom of the page, MMP lists "ballistic bridge sub-bases" for:

Additional Gas Seal
Cushion/protection of Sabot Base
Improved Accuracy!

Try a hotter load to increase bullet RPM's & stability.

 

[dispatch55126]

Is this the ML that is also capable of shooting smokeless powder?

 

[arcticap]

This outfit shows some nice groups that were fired from the Savage using their bullets.
They list using Magnum Ballistic Bridge Sub-bases, special duplex saboted bullets, shooting their 275 grain QT bullet using a sub-base and getting amazing accuracy with a load of 777.
Someone also stated on the site that they couldn't ever get lead concials to shoot well from their Savage.

Both of these bullets also performed great with hefty loads of FFFg Triple Seven. With a 110 grain charge, the 275-grain "QT" left the muzzle of the 24-inch barrel at just over 1,900 f.p.s. (2,211 f.p.e.). The two groups shot with the powder charge averaged around 1.3" center-to-center. The 300-grain "Dead Center" showed a slight accuracy edge with FFFg Triple Seven. A 110 grain charge gets the bullet out of the muzzle at 1,880 f.p.s. (Precision Rifle ballistics), for 2,354 f.p.e. One group shot with the load printed just under an inch across, the other was right at 1.3" center-to-center. I shot one 130-grain charge of FFFg Triple Seven behind each bullet, and both groups were inside of 1 1/2 inches. (The sub-base was used for this heavy load.) Velocity with the 275-grain "QT" was 2,086 f.p.s. (2,650 f.p.e.), the 300-grain "Dead Center" crossed the skyscreens at 2,012 f.p.s. (2,700 f.p.e.).

http://www.muzzleloadingbullets.com/Savage_Model_10ML_II.html

http://www.muzzleloadingbullets.com/muzzleloader_magnum_sub_bases.html

http://www.muzzleloadingbullets.com/dead_center_duplex_sabot.html

Index:

http://www.muzzleloadingbullets.com/index.html

There are some other outfits that make custom size conicals, but it seems that saboted bullets have more accuracy potential, especially the bullets that have reportedly shot well for others. It's worth looking into and asking the outfit for advice about which bullets will work best in the Savage. They're a reputable outfit known for making good bullets and other innovative BP products.