Hoping to avoid the whole traditional vs modern debate (grin). I am interested in the Savage 10 ML because it will handle smokeless. I cleaned a lot of black powder back in the 70's and am interested in cleaner living...

Is there any alternative to the Savage to consider, and ... has anyone had any bad experiences with the 10ML?

Thanks folks,

The 10ML seems to have all good reviews. Another option-- I don't remember who said they were doing it on this board, but they're taking a Savage short action and having it barreled for a 45cal smokeless-capable. I think there are some guys out there making smokeless bbls for H&R actions, and there are some custom gun/bbl action builders out there as well.

Another option for 'cleaner living' is Blackhorn 209.

WAR!!

SMI will build you a smokeless rifle or provide a smokeless barrel with conversion for a number of rifles. Swing-Lock is another smokeless, as is New UltraLight Arms, as is Bad Bull.

I am re-barreling a Savage short action, Pac-Nor sells drop-in 45cal barrels to shoot smokeless. They use a standard Savage plug but I am getting a plug to use 243Win cases as the primer carrier.

Alternatively, if you have an Encore SMI makes a smokeless barrel.

You can convert just about any action into a smokeless ML...I've seen Savages, Rem700s, Ruger #1s, Encores.

From a cost perspective, the 10-ML is probably going to be the cheapest option. By the time I bought the aftermarket barrel and a new stock, I was over the cost of the 10-ML. But the 10-ML doesn't come in .45 and it's now accepted in the smokeless community that the .45 is probably a little more ideal for smokeless (and allows you to shoot sabotless).

Besides, if I want to shoot a .50 I have a great Omega that I love to shoot.

The Savage is a flexible gun. You can be progressive and shoot 200gr bullets to 3000fps (if you are brave) or you can load them to the same levels as a normal ML but just not have to clean them.

Great advice...I don't know how to reply back to a specific response, so I will just say thanks..(guess I'm gettin old...)

Grin, ok very very funny

and great advice

Lots of options: All the above are good ones; if you use smokeless remember to weight your loads very carfully on a good powder scale.
Personally I fine the new rifles that do not have any blowback and do have hand removeable breach plug to be very neat and clean when used with Blackhorn and clean when you get home no swabbing. Lee