Savage 10ML-II: The Short Version
The Savage 10ML series of muzzleloading rifles has been in continuous production for over twelve years. It isn't the first inline muzzleloading rifle, of course, nor is it the first designed to be used with smokeless powder. It is the longest-running production muzzleloader currently in existence. Over these last 12 years, many muzzleloading rifles have come and gone. Remington tried it and failed, as did Ruger, Marlin, etc. White, Gonic, Austin & Halleck have all vanished from the scene. EBSCO-owned Knight Rifles went out of business. Thompson Center Arms, bought out by S & W, finally closed their doors in New Hampshire after multiple layoffs and became absorbed into the S & W Springfield, Massachusetts facility. Today, there are some 40,000 Savage 10ML rifles in regular use and Savage Arms had at least three production runs already in 2012.
I. The Owner's Manual
“When all else fails, read the manual” is of course an old saying, but when it comes to manufacturer's recommendations, if it isn't in the Savage 10ML-II owner's manual it isn't recommended or allowed by Savage Arms. As all muzzleloading is handloading, Savage of course can't load your rifle for you. All they can do is implore you to read the owner's manual, to the point where they have it stamped right on the barrel of the 10ML-II. It is no different than any reloading manual published by any propellant manufacturer: use the information precisely as published or you are on your own.II. Breech Plug / Ventliner
Savage 10ML rifles are proof-fired and then function-fired at the factory. Before attempting to fire your 10ML-II, it is a good idea to remove the vent-liner and drill out your breechplug with a 5/32 in. drill bit, going in from the primer side. This decarboning process is done every 100 shots (box of primers). The factory vent-liner should be replaced every 100 shots as well. If you use my ventliners that are through-hardened and individually drilled, they are good for 400 shots or more contingent on load combination. Use a small amount of MIL-SPEC 907E Anti-Seize to lube the ventliner and breechplug.III. Primers
Savage recommends W209 Winchester shotshell primers, no gimmicky “muzzleloading primers. Personally, I prefer Federal 209A primers.IV. Factory Load
The standard Savage factory load is 43 grains SR-4759 propellant, short black MMP sabot, .452 diameter 250 grain Hornady XTP bullet.V. Scope, Bases, and Rings
The Savage 10ML-II rifle is adapted from the Savage short-action bolt action rifle. Though called a short action, it is more of a “medium action” in my view. If you are using a full-length main tube scope of the 3-9 x 40 variety, use Warne steel bases and Warne medium height Maxima steel rings. Short, stubby scopes are common. In that case, use the Warne or EGW one-piece rail along with Warne low height rings and you can mount your scope in a wider variety of positions, and use most any optic out there. Riflescope choice are personal preference and cost-related. The EGW base, Warne low height Maxima steel rings, and the Burris Fullfield E1 3-9 x 40 riflescope ($200) is a very good combination. There are countless others.VI. Transporting Propellant
You can use a variety of quick-chargers out there, use the powder vials I've discussed in other articles, or use .308 or .30-06 brass with automotive tire valve caps to easily transport pre-weighed powder charges. For best accuracy, propellant charges should be weighed. The only propellant I've found to give excellent accuracy with the Lee yellow smokeless powder dippers is Accurate 5744.VII. Preferred Black Powder Substitute
Blackhorn 209 is the best, most consistent black powder substitute on the market and works beautifully in the Savage 10ML-II. The “black powder substitute” market is made up of smokeless powders like Pyrodex, Triple Se7en, etc. The salient difference is that they can be measured with black powder volumetric powder measures and are marketed for inline muzzleloading rifles. The pick of the litter is Blackhorn 209, easily.VIII. Bullets
The flattest shooting bullet out there is the Parker Match Hunter 300 grain, which requires its own Spinjag for proper loading. The Match Hunter Spinjag can be used for a wide variety of other projectiles as well.
The Barnes Original .458 300 grain Semi-Spitzer Soft point is a very good flying, tough bullet I've used for many years out of the 10ML-II. It is available in 50-packs directly from Barnes Bullet Company.
The Hornady #4500 300 grain Hollow Point, essentially a .45-70 rifle bullet, is a good economical choice. Not nearly as ballistically efficient as the Parker Match Hunter, it is invariably accurate and excellent on whitetail, etc.IX. Sabots
Use the short black MMP sabot from MMP for the Parker Match Hunter 300 grain, the MMP Orange .458 x 50 sabot for the Barnes Original 300 grain and the Hornady 4500 300 grain hollow point.
X. Loading Jags
I use the original Spinjag exclusively. Spinjag can also ship you a 10ML-II ramrod with the Spinjag attached, called the “G. I. Ramrod.”XI. Misc.
The Savage 10ML series has always been sold with the promise of 1-1/2 inch 100 yard accuracy. Yours may well group substantially tighter, but that is with a preferred combination, not with anything and everything. A steady rest and good range conditions are requisite as well for best results.
Savage currently manufactures the 10ML-II in 4140 Chrome-Moly (Blued) configuration. There are no plans that I know of to offer stainless. As the Savage 10ML series was designed for use with non-corrosive propellants, stainless is of no benefit. It is one of the reasons you don't see stainless steel shotguns in the goose pit, or much of anywhere else.
Laminated stocks are more rigid and more accurate than poly stocks and are readily available as a factory drop-in item. Plastic stocks with blued actions have always been the top-selling configuration for the 10ML, so Savage continues to make what people have always voted for in the form of their purchases. It is hard to find fault with that logic.
Savage Arms is currently manufacturing six days per week, three shifts, with some manufacturing on Sunday. For some time, they have had a backlog of over 20 weeks and Savage is currently the largest-selling bolt-action centerfire and rimfire rifle company in the world. Naturally, they cannot make all of their models in the same day, or the same month. As always, Savage continually evaluates customer demand and varies production scheduling based on that demand every week.LINKS:
Email: randymagic@aol.com
© Copyright 2003-2012 by Randy Wakeman. All Rights Reserved.
Please Note: Randy Wakeman, his agents, heirs and assigns, hereby disclaims all possible liability for damages including, actual, incidental and consequential, resulting from usage of the information or advice contained in these articles. Use the data and advice at your own risk, and with extreme caution.
