Savage 10ML-II Users Smokeless Powder Load Table
This data is provided for reference only!
WARNING: DO NOT ATTEMPT TO
LOAD AND SHOOT THESE OR ANY OTHER SMOKELESS POWDER LOADS IN ANY OTHER MUZZLELOADER
THAN
THE SAVAGE ML-I OR SAVAGE ML-II.
This load information was provided by Toby Bridges and Savage 10 ML users. Thanks to all!
NOTICE: This website is not affiliated with Savage Arms in any form or fashion. If you go above the safety margin for the rifle, you do so at your own risk. Any loads or recommendations on this site has proven safe in the test rifle, however, may or may not be safe in your rifle. You are solely responsible for any injury or damages resulting from any data on this website. This website or authors will not be held responsible. Due to variations in guns, it is strongly recommended to start at a lower load and slowly work up from there.
Most of this Data was Compiled January 2004 By Toby Bridges.
More info:
Savage Model 10ML II owners have enjoyed greater success with
the high-pressure sabots produced by Muzzleload Magnum Products, of Harrison,
Arkansas, more than any
other brand of sabot. However, recent improvements with sabot designs and polymer
compositions have resulted in suitable sabots from several other sources as
well. Note
that all loads here utilize a .451", .452" or .458" (.45 caliber)
bullet. Saboted .44 (.429"/.430" diameter) have not performed that
well with smokeless loads.
Once outside temperatures top the 80-degree mark, shooters may find it necessary
to reduce hotter loads by 5% to 10%, or load with a sub-base between the powder
charge
and sabot/bullet in order to maintain accuracy. Once temperatures drop into
the 60s, the higher velocity loads given here will continue to produce excellent
accuracy, provided the
barrel is given 5 to 6 minutes of cool down time between shots.
For consistent ignition and velocities with the smokeless powders listed here,
it's important that the sabot and bullet be seated with enough force (30 to
40 pounds of
pressure) on the ramrod to compact the powder charge. Best accuracy is achieved
when the same amount of seating pressure is used on the ramrod for each and
every shot.
The strength, or how hot a primer is also affects velocities slightly. Remington
No.209 primers are one of the mildest primers, CCI 209M primers are noticeably
hotter,
Winchester shotshell primers are hotter yet, and Federal 209A primers are more
powerful than the others listed here. Tests have shown that the same powder
charge fired with a
Federal 209A primer will be around 20 to 25 f.p.s. faster than a load ignited
by a Remington primer. All of the primers listed will give good ignition with
most powders.
IMR-4227 is one powder that can be a little tough to ignite, use only hotter
primers with this powder. Do not mix mild and magnum strength primers when shooting
for accuracy.
Toby B.
__________________________________________________________________
Table notes:
* May require loading a "sub-base" over the powder charge to protect
the sabot from the pressure produced by this load during very warm (70 degree)
to hot (90 degree)
temperatures. Muzzleload Magnum Products now offers a suitable sub-base, or
a shooter can form his/her own by cutting off the gas seal/obturator cup from
the base of a
28-gauge shotgun wad. This cup is loaded (cup down) directly over the powder,
and the sabot/bullet seated directly over this.
** IMR-4227 has proven to be one of the harder powders to ignite, and should
be ignited with a hotter primer, such as the Federal 209A.
*** Other muzzleloading rifle manufacturers have claimed velocities in excess
of 2,200 f.p.s. with a 240 grain bullet and three 50-grain Pyrodex Pellets.
One custom
maker has even claimed 2,300 f.p.s. with a 300 grain bullet and four 50-grain
Pyrodex Pellets, and 2,900 f.p.s. with a five pellet load and a 300 grain bullet.
These ballistics are
impossible to obtain out of a .50 caliber muzzleloader loaded with Pyrodex Pellets,
in any amount.