Originally Posted by
HatchieLuvr
MORONS like whoever did that, are the reason Savage quit building that awesome gun! I've been hunting with my Sav ML-2 10 for over a decade. My FIL & best bud also have years in the woods with their ML-2s & all of us still have our fingers & eyes. I'm REALLY torqued that the morons have caused Sav to stop building the guns because now these guns are bringing $1200-$1500+. I REALLY want one for my 15yr old son but I'm not spending that kind of $ on a $500 gun because of idiots like whoever blew that one.
They must've loaded it HOT to even blow the bell off the scope. To bad they survived, the genepool in much of today's society needs chlorine added to it!
I look at the Savage MLII and it looks like a outdated 15 year old design compared to the newer cleaner lines of the current Muzzleloaders on the market. It's fairly heavy at 7.5 lbs out of the box. Add more for SS and add more weight for Laminated. I think a SS Laminated Thumbhole is right at 9 lbs.
It requires several tools to take down to clean and it requires frequent replacement of the vent liner. Every 25 rounds to 100 rounds depending on load data.
Then there is the smokeless learning curve. Heat related sabot issue, cold weather impact changes with smokeless. The list goes on.
There are so many newer and more modern designs with tool less removal breech plugs for ease of cleaning and with modern propellants like BH209 I don't see why anyone would want to start out with one today. Even if they were $500 they are over priced when you can buy a TC, CVA or even a Knight for less money.