I'll mess around with some loads. May even go down to 250gr with a good solid bullet design. Not afraid to put the wammy on a Bull at 300 with 220gr RN from my .30-06 so I shouldn't be afraid of a 250 from this rig if I can stay in the 2700-2800 range of MV. My shoulder will probably not like the bench work though :(

Barnes, I've never had a problem with a Monarch (I have 14 of them on various rifles) but Nikon is changing here of late and I'm beginning to not trust them like I used to as far as the warranty which is why the thoughts of Leupold.

I busted up 2 different Monarchs, twice, on my Pro Hunter.

I'm currently dealing with Leupold and a complete refund on my VX6, which has blown out for the second time. They're refunding my purchase price, including sales taxes. They offered to replace it with a VX6-HD, but with production, they couldn't get me one until sometime in April. I chose the refund.

They're just not holding up on our rifles, as another just received his repaired VX6 back last week. Same issue.. complete erector system.

I'm replacing it with a Nightforce. Tired of blowing up scopes.

With the scope (average scope weight being around 14-16 oz) I am assuming this rifle will come in around 9.5-10.5 pounds all said and done. So recoil may not be that significant until I get into my big boy charges. Still, I would like a scope with around 4 inches relief for when I do get into those big boy charges. Wife is getting tired of stitching me up though she is pretty dang good at it :D And no not all her stitch work comes from scope eye! As I stated earlier, my max range for this rig on game will be 300 so I don't need tons of magnification, 10x will be more than sufficient on a Moose. Wont be using this thing for ground squirrels :D I just want one that will have superb low light clarity as probably 90% of the Moose I have taken over the years has been in low light situations. Heavy cover at daybreak or dusk usually.

I see over on Optics Planet they are really pushing the Vx-3i models. Anyone try those out?

super_hunt54

You might also want to look at the new CEB 40-240gr (sabot version) and keep an eye out for the new Lehigh. The new CEB for sabots does not have a stellar BC but its way better than the Barnes 195gr or 200gr SST.

I know its a step backwards but you should be able to break 2600fps EASILY with a 240gr 40cal in a sabot....That load should be what?.......Similar to a 338 WinMag but with a .287ish BC

Ohhhh that's purdy!!! And also VERY similar to the plan I had in my head for turning them myself (except I was going for .452-458 full bore, whatever this barrel size slugs out to be)

Sabot loads have much less peak pressure. I can hit about 2800fps and stay under 35kpsi with a 200gr bullet. I mean thats simple to do. Sabots hate heat though so you have to take plenty of time for the barrel to cool down.

Only a handful of guys have posted results with the 240gr sabot version. A shooter for Knight even won a match with that bullet. Results look very promising and that why ive sorta been on Lehigh to produce a similar bullet.

It should be nothing to get that bullet to 2700fps+ with commonly used powders at very safe pressures. Longer semi light contour barrels like that RemAge would be ideal for it.

Reading this post makes me think about all the knowledge gone from my life now. He had imparted quite a bit to us but after reading many of his posts I have come to realize just how much he still had left to teach his kids.

GM54-120, I think I have all the parts here he had ordered and the receiver he had gotten from Mr. Phillips. I believe I can put all this together but I may need some instruction on installing the rod retainer. I haven't really been into muzzleloading in lines, especially high end equipment such as this rifle he was building, but I do believe this rifle was going to be one of his best projects and I'd really like to build it. Would it be to presumptive to ask you for help if I need it?

I would be glad to help with what i can but im not "builder". The guy to talk to is Bestill. Not only is he great with custom work he is also a Champ on the shooting range.

Bestill is very familiar with the ends and outs of this type of build.

Forgive my ignorance but who is Bestill? The only competitions I ever got in to was long range factory match rifle so I am sort of a new guy on the block when it comes to these muzzleloaders. I have 3 side lock percussion rifles that the old man built 1 of many years ago and the other 2 are factory Thompson Center Arms. And now I guess his old Hawken Thompson Center Arms unless Alex or Deb wants it.

Well thats strange, i thought he had a account here. Just checked i guess he doesnt.

Its Jeff Fisk of Bestill Creations. He has won and built several rifles that have won at the inline match at Friendship Indiana.

He is active on the Modern Muzzleloader Forum. Rules here prevent me from posting a link to that forum though. I think its ok to post his Facebook page though.

https://www.facebook.com/Bestill-Cre...3021805207339/