Post by IndianaHunter on Mar 31, 2006 1:26:46 GMT -5
The Savage muzzleloader and SMI smokeless barrels are approved for use with smokeless powder... Warning! Smokeless powder loads are not for use in any other muzzleloaders.
What a day! I made arrangements to drop off my Savage project gun today. For those of you not familiar with this project, I’ve purchased a used, very well maintained 10ML-II with laminated stock and accu-trigger. Ron is replacing the Savage barrel with a 26” Douglas blank in a 1:36 twist, bedding the action, and adding a third pillar. When it’s all said and done I’ll mount a Zeiss Conquest 3.5x10x50 scope with Warne bases and QR rings.
So off to the range…We got to Deer Creek Conservation Club just before noon Indiana time and the conditions were 51 degrees, a light 4 mph crossing wind with overcast skies. For those of you really into the numbers; it was 759 ft. above sea level and 60% relative humidity. We shot from 12:00 noon until 3:30pm.
My goal was to work exclusively on a load for our upcoming hog hunt in Crossville. A 50 yard load for the specific purpose of killing a big old Loshbough hog is all I was searching for. Ron’s goal was to put a new breech plug design through its paces.
This is Ron, his personal gun, at the firing line at DCCC. DCCC has 25, 50, 100, and 200 yard benches and as you can see they are very sturdy.
My HB was the first out of the case and to hit the sand bags. It’s topped with Burris Signature rings and bases and a Leupold VX-1 2x7x33 scope.
My load was a Barnes #45831 .458 250grain “XFN over 57 grains of N-120 seated in a Harvester .452 black crushed rib sabot. With a fouling shot into the dirt backstop to confirm the newly bore sighted scope, shots #1 and 2 were 1 ¼ high at 50 yards, a two shot group of .458 center to center, a nested pair!
Next to hit the bench was my SMI/NEF top with a Zeiss Conquest 3x9x40 scope with Leupold bases and rings.
My first load was a Barnes #45105 275gr “XPB” over 57 grains of N-120 seated in a HPH-12 .452 sabot. This combo, shots 3,4,5, shot poorly with just inside 2” at 50 yards.
On Ron’s suggestion I went to the standard Harvester black sabot and pulled a three shot group down to .769
Shots 9, 10, 11, and 12 were with the Bear Tooth 325 SSBB 44 cal. LBT with HPH- green sabots. Shot 9 hit paper but the only thing Ron and I could find of the rest was a few pieces of mangled plastic!!! I'm going to have to work on this load a bit more I think...
So I went back to the “XPB” and dialed the scope in, finishing with shots 13, 14, 15, and 16. 13 and 14 brought the scope over and down and 15 and 16 were my final shots. 16 was a called flier...
I was able to recover one of the XPB's and based on those results I'm going to use it in my SMI in Crossville...
So here are my observations from this day:
57 grains of N-120 is a sweet load in both guns.
Both gun’s accuracy is identical with this powder charge.
The Barnes XPB looks to be a winner and I’ll hope to prove that in Crossville.
And last but not least, a $325.00 SMI barrel, on a inexpensive NEF frame, does not have to take a back seat to a $1000.00 custom Savage.
On a side note:
In recent month’s Savagebrother, SW, and I have all purchased products from Ron Name at SMI. All three of us have had nothing but good things to say about him and his company. Being that I live about an hour south-west of his shop I’m able to stop by often and shoot the breeze with Ron, Dan, and Joe. I enjoy their friendship and believe they make a very high quality product for those who want to try a different type of smokeless powder muzzleloading.
With that being said, my connection to Ron Name and SMI is as a friend and repeat customer. I’m in no way affiliated with SMI or compensated in any manner for my discussions, posts, pictures, etc, showing my successes with SMI products.
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Geez am I a dummy or what? I meant slow. Usually the longer the projectile the FASTER the twist. Now I got this right faster. Maybe I am getting early Alzheimer. DUH!!!! Oh well so much for showing my brilliance.