A little background; I am a new forum member and have just re-entered muzzle-loading, after being out of it for years. I stopped mostly because I got tired of cleaning the gun while using BP, Pyrodex and 777. I'm just now back into ML with a Savage 10ML-II. Living in Michigan I have to use BH209 during the hunting season. The few deer I bagged years ago were with Harvester hard-cast bullets and SST's. The SST's did OK at a distance, but up close they came apart without exiting, while the hard-cast bullets went in and out, even if the deer ran farther before going down. Less meat damage too. However, up close the Harvester's knocked them down faster than the SST's. I never understood why.

Now that I'm back into ML'ing some things have changed. I don't endure heavy recoil these days, and I don't see deer that far away anymore. Due to reducing my powder now, I expect my shots will be little more than 100 yards and mostly less.

I don't have a chronograph so my question is: what kind of velocities can be expected from a 22" barrel with 70 to 80 grains of BH209 under bullets of 280 grains (Harvester hard cast) and 250 grains (SST's)? I suppose with some hold-over, I can try for 150 yard shots (from shooting sticks) but need enough velocity at that range to still cleanly take a deer.

I know there are other bullets out there but I want to start with the ones I'm familiar with. And I know Savages says it's barrel is 24" but mine measures 22" from muzzle to breech plug.

Maybe there is someone here who is aging like me and is more into comfortable shooting than velocity and long range. Thanks ahead of time for any information or suggestions you guys might offer.

John in Michigan