Savage Question
 

Well I just bought a new Savage 10MLII. It's a composite with a SS barrel.I haven't bought any bullets, sabots, or powder yet. Just wondering what I should start off with. What shoots good for you guys? I have heard the250grHornady sst's shoot great, but would like to try some others. I have also heard Accurate arms 5744, and IMR 4759 works well.Any info would be great.

RE: Savage Question
 

dh:
I am also new to Savagedom, got mine mid summer. The rifle is great. I am still learning. My last range session I shot my best group ever with a muzzleloader, three shots @ 100yds with a 3/4 inch group. I was using 5744. I'm not certain there are a bunch of people who use 5744. If you go to a board like Doug's Savage Board you can see that some are doing some pretty adavanced work with thier Savage ML10's. Using duplex powders, modified breach plugs etc.
BTW, my best group was using a Barnes 250 gr MZ expander. I used this bullet last season with incredible results while using a T/C omega. My Savage also shoots the Hornady 250gr. XTP very well.

The last range session taught me that groups can open up to 3-4 inches with only a .5 grain increase or decrease from the sweet spot. Mine likes 43.5 grains of 5744. If you have any other question I can try to help.
Cheers - Randy

RE: Savage Question
 

I bought a savage this spring myself but know a number of guys who have been using it for a few years. The most used load around here is 250gr sst under 43 gr of IMR 4759SR and either 209w or fed 209a primers.

In my savage the 250gr sst with 43.5gr of 4759SR is averaging 3/4" groups at 100. I also am getting good groups with 250SST and 42-43gr of Viht N110 - holding about an 1" at 100. 300gr sst and xtpsshow promiseunder 60gr of Viht N120 in my 10II, all though I haven't given it as much range time as the 250gr/powders above. I plan to hunt with 250gr SST this year under the 4759.

In my gun every so often the federal 209A primers stick, so I am using the 209W with no such problems. On the other hand my 2 partners do not have this trouble, so only trial and error will tell which one works for you.

RE: Savage Question
 

Would have to add a second to the loads that were suggested,N110,IMR
4759 or 5744.and the sst's ,would use which ever primer that works well in your rifle,w209,fed209 or cci in some guns one works better than the other when getting the spent primer out but for me they all shoot well.
I would first use on of these loads and get familiar with the savage it is quit different than a reg muzzleloader,visit the board listed Dougs,and you can learn a lot from those fellows there,such as when to clean breech plug,vent liner usage and etc.
I have been shooting a savage since they came out and have used a lot off different powders and can truthfully say that I have fonud a certain amount (grains)load that shoots really well with all of them.
Below is the last 3-shot group I shot at 100 yds trying a different bullet,just to show how capable the savage rifle is.If there is someone around where you live that allready has a savage that would be a big plus if you got one to go to the range with you for the first time.

RE: Savage Question
 

The Savage 10ML-II is designed to shoot 250-300gr bullets. Hornady 250gr and 300gr XTP's have been a solid performer in the Savage since it hit the market in 2000, as these were the bullets the 10ML was designed to shoot. The Hornady 250gr and 300gr SSTs have been hard to beat accuracy wise in the past couple years,as has the Barnes 250gr & 300gr MZ and 275gr XPB. I only use MMP sabots, the HPH-12 (short) to be exact, in all my loads for all my 10ML-II. I also only use Win. 209 primers.

Here are some of the loads Iuse in some of my10ML-IIs are:

42.5 grains of VV N-110, 250gr XTP, MMP HPH-12 sabot, Win. 209 primer.
44.5 Grains of 5744,300gr XTP, MMP HPH-12 sabot, Win. 209 primer.
45 grains of 5744, 250gr XTP, MMP HPH-12 sabot, Win. 209 primer.
44 grains of 5744, 260gr Dead Center, MMP HPH-12 saobt, Win. 209 primer.

As for the extreme loads and stuff going on at Dougs board, stay away from it. The mixing of powders, duplex, and tripelx loadings, is a recipe for disaster, not to mention just plain unsmart. I've added a few links of interest below, that will also help in your search of addional inoformation on the Savage 10ML-II.


http://modernmuzzleloader.com/phpBB/index.php
http://www.mmpsabots.com/
http://randywakeman.com/index.htm

RE: Savage Question
 

Might find some useful stuff here http://www.savageshooters.net/Pages/Articles.html

RE: Savage Question
 

Thanks for the info guys. My uncle has an older savage (one without the new accu-trigger) that shoots great. I went to the range with him last week and he convinced me to buy one.

RE: Savage Question
 

I have been shooting my 10ML-II for the past two years. I have noticed that it is very particular on what it likes to shoot depending on the temp. I have had very good groupings when cold (under 35 degress) with IMR 4198, 67 grains, MMP 12's, sub bases and SST 250's. Doug's Message Board is an excellent site for Savage specific info in every respect.
My first post by the way. Hello to all.