Hi Guys!

Thanks so much for all this wonderful information.

sabotloader- in a word yes! Learning from someone doing it in front of you is a great way to learn, rather than trial and error on my own ... I expect to receive my new ML this coming week so will be ready to drive to the tri-cities area thereafter. Basically, I purchased the first two rifles I could actually get confirmation of them being in the store! They just happened to be laminate stocked ... believe it or not, I've been considering getting a composite one too after reading more about them here and on Doc's site. If I do, I'll only shoot one of them and get rid of the other one ...

sabotloader please confirm I can buy powder and #11 caps at Sportsman Surplus and I'll buy them there - saving some shipping/hazmat fees in the process.

Thanks to underclocked for the Cain's Outdoors link- they have lots of ML gear/supplies I can order via the internet!

Ok - I'll also ignore the undersized Power Belts, buy some Hornadys and MMP HPH-12 sabot combos for cost effective target practice / learning, add powder volume measure and powder flask to the list, and also pick up cleaning tools and supplies.

More questions (of course)! Loose powder vs pellets? Isn't there a relationship between bullets used (conicals / sabots) and powder choice - related to building/maintaining chamber pressure I recall? Also, I'm concerned I don't have ballistics charts for any ML loads I set upon - how do you guys work out game sights/setting without a chrono? I don't have a chrono but can get to ranges with at least a 200yd line ... which I assume will be the max I'll feel confident taking game using iron sights w/ the ML in WA. I'm guessing I'll use all your guys advice on hunting loads w/ typical bullets and powder charges, then just figure it'll be close enough to what I'm shooting given paper holes from 25yds to 200yds, right?

So much to learn here - thanks again for all your help cayugad, underclocked, and sabotloader! I'm off to see the Shohomish Valley ML Club shoot over at the Marysville Rifle Club this afternoon. I'm hoping to see someone shootMLs, etc ...

cheers,
phil