bigbulls

Don't know about the particular gun but you had better check the regulations in the state that you are going hunting in.

If going to Colorado you will not be able to use smokeless powder in that Savage nor will you be able to keep that scope on your ML.

Also if you will be using smmokeless powder be very careful when working up a load as smokeless powder will give you much more pressure than black powder will. It also creates a much bigger change in pressure with a minimal change in charge weight and bullet weight/ type. Black powder and its substitutes are not nearly as sensative to these changes in loads.

Maximum effective range will depend on powder charge, bullet weight and design, velocity, your personal skills etc.....