"I guess my point is that there is insufficient evidence to indicate that the Savage 10ML is unsafe because of four reports of failure, at least two of which involved the shooter intentionally loading the gun with powders or powder quantities in not recommended in the manual and proven safe."
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Driftrider
I don't keep up-to-date with smokeless MLs because I personally believe that if you want NOT to see smoke, then stick with the centerfires for best results.. even in conditions that occur once every 15-20 years where you wish you had that extra 25-50 yard distance to reach that distant buck in the field.
Can you break-down for me how much more powder Toby was using in comparison to a regular ML -- that he shouldn't of used?
For instance: Was he approximently 20 grains of blackpowder too much... 10 .. or 30... etc.
The reason I ask is because the number of grains you provided didn't seem like alot in comparison to regular ML powders -- which a person can almost double before a barrel blows up while the bullet is properly seated.
Was Toby using 25-75% more powder than he should of? If your answer is only 25%, then Savage muzzleloaders are indeed dangerous because their tolerances for barrel blowups should be 50-100% more powder before it blows.
These are my opinions Savage lovers... no replier-attacks please!