RandyWakeman

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What EVERYONE Needs to Know About Smokeless Muzzleloading

There has been an unprecedented amount of supposition and speculation surrounding smokeless muzzleloading, though it has been a well-proven system for nearly a decade by now-- far more time-tested and game-tested then the use of sulfurless synthetic propellants such as Triple 7 that remain corrosive, and obscure visibility. It is time to put these rumors to rest, based on empirical evidence alone-- not preexisting attitudes or lack of understanding. In this brief article, I believe I'll attempt to do just that.

I. SMOKELESS MEANS HIGH VELOCITY
No. This is easily disproved. Smokeless no more means "high velocity" than a 12 ga. shotgun means high velocity, or a .22 rimfire. In fact, those who think still that muzzle velocity alone is the component that defines smokeless can take a look at Knight Rifles and Thompson Center Arms catalogues and owners manuals. Both have published factory loads that well exceed those published by Savage Arms.

II. SMOKELESS MEANS HIGH PRESSURE
This again is clearly wrong. Today's 2000 fps shotshell whitetail loads do not exceed 12,000 PSI MAP: that is the SAAMI limit. They do use smokeless powder, of course. Three pellet loads with a 250 gr. bullet have been proved to exceed 25,000 PSI by Lyman Ballistic Labs and other independent sources. 50 grains of Vihtavouri N120 gets a 250 gr. Barnes MZ-Expander out the muzzle of a Savage 10ML-II at around 1960 fps. MAP= Approx. 18,832 PSI.

III. SMOKELESS MEANS SIGNIFICANTLY GREATER RANGE
No, this is hardly the case. No .45 caliber bullet can fly very flat. We are shooting the same saboted bullets, at similar velocities to any other inline muzzleloader. None compare with the flight characteristics of a 7mm class cartridge, or a .30 caliber projectile. They never will due to the "load from the muzzle" sabot limitations.

IV. SMOKELESS MEANS LESS RECOIL
True! Powder weight is a component of recoil, and we can get similar performance by using half as much powder. Less abuse to your scope, your shoulder, and it is every bit as lethal. That makes the Savage 10ML-II the top choice for recoil sensitive, older, or smaller. There is no glory in self-abuse. A dedicated article on this website discusses this in detail.

V. ONLY SMOKELESS IS LOADED IN MODERN CARTRIDGES
This is obviously incorrect. Triple Se7en, marketed by Hodgdon Powder as a "blackpowder substitute" has PUBLISHED load data by Hodgdon Powder for use in "223 REM 25 ACP 7MM TCU 7MM BR REM 7MM-08 REM 30-30 WIN 308 WIN 32 ACP 32 S&W LONG 32 H&R MAG 32-20 WIN 380 AUTO 9MM LUGER 38 SUPER AUTO 38 SPECIAL 38 SPECIAL +P 357 SIG 357 MAGNUM 357 REM MAX 35 REM 9X18 MAKAROV 375 JDJ 38-40 WIN 40 S&W 10MM AUTO 41 REM MAG 44 RUSSIAN 44 COLT 44 S&W SPECIAL 44-40 WIN 44 REM MAG 44 AUTO MAG 45 GLOCK AUTO 45 ACP 45 COLT 45 COLT (Ruger, Freedom Arms & TC Only) 45 WIN MAG 454 CASULL 460 ROWLAND 475 LINEBAUGH 480 RUGER 50 AE 500 LINEBAUGH 500 S & W MAGNUM" all from Hodgdon Powder.

Triple Se7en was not sold before 2002; to say it is not an ultra modern high-energy propellant is taking severe liberties with the truth. It can hardly be considered "just a blackpowder substitute," when it is recommended and sold for use in cartridges and firearms specifically designed for smokeless powder only. Triple Se7en is also CLEARLY a smokeless powder substitute in most of the above applications. How could anyone miss this?

VI. SMOKELESS MEANS LESS OPERATING COST
It sure does, astonishing so. This is also defined in detail in a dedicated article. You are using expensive, "fake blackpowder" propellants that can cost $25 a pound, and you are using a lot MORE of it by weight.

VII. SMOKELESS IS A SAFER WAY TO MUZZLELOAD
It certainly is: the U.S. Military and Department of Transportation have long proved that smokeless powder is safer to handle, use, and store than blackpowder and easily ignitable so-called substitutes. The 100% barrel proofing of the Savage 10ML-II proves it is manufactured to a higher standard, see the dedicated article on proofing on this site for further information. Additionally, the Accu-Trigger is obviously the safest trigger ever to be placed on a muzzleloader.

VIII. SMOKELESS MUZZLELOADERS LAST LONGER THAN OTHER MUZZLELOADERS
There is no disputing that-with the removal of caustic, corrosive propellants, your gun simply is not being constantly attacked by them. A Savage 10ML-II is a lifetime gun and will not rot itself to pieces.

IX. SMOKELESS MUZZLELOADERS ARE MORE ACCURATE THAN REGULAR MUZZLELOADERS
Generally, they clearly are. The lack of heavy fouling and caking residue from shot-to-shot means a more a consistent bore condition from shot to shot, and consistency and accuracy are one and the same.

X. SMOKELESS MUZZLELOADING IS A QUICKER, MORE HUMANE WAY TO HARVEST GAME
It sure is, by design. The Savage has a 1:24 twist barrel that can stabilize and accurately shoot 300 grain projectiles where other muzzleloaders cannot-it was designed around a 300 grain bullet. That means more terminal energy, greater wounding, more shock-down power, more striking energy, and a more humane harvest. The lack of noxious smoke obscuring the hunter's vision means more quickly recovered game, and less lost game.

Muzzleloading legend, Gary B. "Doc" White, poses this question in his book:
"Why would any intelligent man stoop to using a gun that is slow to load, has a trajectory like a rainbow, requires constant management, is dirty, smelly and otherwise loathsome to use?"
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