Savage 10 ML
 

Well I finally got my Savage 10 ML II last week, so I bought the rings and I am putting it together tonight and shooting it tomorrow. Attached is a picture, here is what is in the picture:
Savage 10 ML II Stainless Steel, black stock
Bushnell 3-9x40 Firefly Scope
Warne Rings
Weaver Grand Slam mounts
LockTite 222 MS Thread locker

I intend on shooting the factory load of 40g of Accurate Arms 5744 with a 300g Hornady XTP just to sight in. then start testing and shooting some other bullets for accuracy and penetration, Barnes TMZ 300g and Knight Ultimte Slam 300g. I will keep the forum informed as I get this together and start shooting it. Oh I cleaned the bore and the bolt with Hoope #9.
I am shooting Federal Primers.
Chap Gleason

RE: Savage 10 ML
 

Chap - I use the same mounts and rings on my White, Knight Disc, and Black Diamond XR. You are really going to like that set up. I will be interested to see the kind of shooting results you get. I have read a lot of posts about the accuracy of the Savage muzzleloaders and it will be interesting to see what happens to you.

Good luck with your rifle.

RE: Savage 10 ML
 

This is the first time I have use the Warne Rings, they are nice and strong. I have used the Weaver mounts but not the Grand Slam. They too appear to be nice and tight and strong. I did open the LocTite and used it and it was blue or almost purple. Here is the mounted scope on the rifle, I used the edge of my door to get scope lined up straight. Now to bore site it and shoot it tomorrow, if it doen't rain.
Chap Gleason

RE: Savage 10 ML
 

That is a really sharp looking rifle and set up. I will be interested to see how well it shoots for you.

RE: Savage 10 ML
 

This is my initial sight in at 25 yard, with 300g Hornady XTP, Federal Primer, 3.1cc (Lee Dipper) 41.3g of Accurate Arms 5744 and Crushed rib sabot, which was Very very loose. I forgot my MMP short Black sabots, which is what the gun was designed around. 1st 3 shot were about 4" high at 25 yards so I dropped it 12 clicks, next set of 3 were about1.75 to 2 inches high, so I left it there to try at 100. About 80 degrees and some crosswind.

Chap Gleason

RE: Savage 10 ML
 

It looks very good to me. I bet that will be a real good rifle for you. How is the recoil with that load?

RE: Savage 10 ML
 

It was only 25 yards with a scope. It had a recoil about like a .243, which was really nice. I then went back to 90 yards (all I could get) after shooting 25, and shot the next 8 shots. shot 1 to 2 down click 12
shot 2 to 3 left clicked 12. Then shot the next 6. Here is that shooting.
Oh the sabot is real loose in this gun with the crush rib, I forgot my MMP Short Black sabots which is the recommended load from savage. I also was shooting about 41.3g of powder (3.1cc) according to Lee Dipper caliper.
Chap Gleason

RE: Savage 10 ML
 

I then put a clean target on and shot 3 more shots. Here it that. Shot 1 was right where I wanted it, 3" high and dead on windage wise. Shot 2 and 3 were way left, about a 4" horizontal group, I don't think that is good, but it is OK for first time out with the rifle. My sabots were loose and I had a poor shooting rest/position. I will try it again a couple of days. I felt the gun was pretty dirty after shooting it, not as bad as black powder, but pretty dirty. I ran about 12 patches thru it before I felt it was clean. I used Hoppe and Rem Oil on the last couple. All in all I am satisfied, but I know I will get this thing dialed in with the XTPs and then switch over to testing bullets I want to hunt elk with in 2008. I plan on hunting deer this year with the rifle in both ML and rifle season. the big bullets do a big number on deer, with the recoil a lot less than my 30-o6 that is a good thing. Chap Gleason

RE: Savage 10 ML
 

Loose fitting sabots just won't shoot a darn in my savage. The short black sabots are really tight in my gun, but the accuracy is there. I hope you'll test some 300grain Barnes MZ expanders. They seem to do really well with 5744.

RE: Savage 10 ML
 

Yes, that is what I think happen also, since the gun is suppose to shoot 1.5" out of the box. I have some Barnes TMZ 385g and some Knight Ultimate Slam made by Barnes 290g which I am going to test and try to work up loads with. I am just trying to reproduce what the manual says, for a bullet and load. I was a bit light on the load also, since they say 44g. I work at home mondayuntil 4:00, so I can get out at about 4 to shoot again. Will try the short sabots then. How does you gun do cleaning?Here is my patches, which I think is still pretty dirty.


Here is the patch sequence

Top of paper
11 10
9 8 76 5
1 2 3 4
Bottom of paper

Between 6 and 7 I bronze brushed out the barrell