ML-II Vent Liners: Materials of Construction

[Scott Kirsch]

While talking to his ML-II friends about all the "great things" the Savage ML-II has to offer, one item not overly well-received or understood is the vent liner, its construction, and its intended purpose.

Sloppy's understanding is that the ML-II "vent liner" is merely a 0.030" holowed out hex screw that is screwed into the powder end of the breech plug. This supposed to remove the need for the shooter to remove the entire breech plug after shooting. Vent liners do erode over time (the orafice erodes to a larger opening which begins to affect propellant ignition ).

Question: Why can't an ML-II vent liner be fabricated from ceramic materials? Sems to me that this would be a more maintenance-reduced option for the ML-II. What are your thoughts smokepole gurus??

[Randy Wakeman]

sloppysnood said:

While talking to his ML-II friends about all the "great things" the Savage ML-II has to offer, one item not overly well-received or understood is the vent liner, its construction, and its intended purpose.

Sloppy's understanding is that the ML-II "vent liner" is merely a 0.030" holowed out hex screw that is screwed into the powder end of the breech plug. This supposed to remove the need for the shooter to remove the entire breech plug after shooting. Vent liners do erode over time (the orafice erodes to a larger opening which begins to affect propellant ignition ).

Question: Why can't an ML-II vent liner be fabricated from ceramic materials? Sems to me that this would be a more maintenance-reduced option for the ML-II. What are your thoughts smokepole gurus??

All breech plugs erode over time-- I've replaced some obviously opened up T/C and Knight breechplugs.

The purpose of the ventliner is to give new rifle performance without buying a new breechplug. Std. Savage vents should be replaced every box of primers for best accuracy.

I have my own machined, that are through-hardened. They go 400 shots +++ before needing replacement.

Ceramic is too brittle.