Savage ML

[Canadian_Goose]

Anyone shoot one of the newer savage ML. I was hoping to get one in realtree with a stainless barrel. Fits in my $500 price range.

[shotist]

They've been making them about 5 years I believe, C_G. Mine is 4 YO and I am quite happy. It is pre-accutrigger and a post module 10ML-II. Very accurate and all of the steam I will ever need in this lifetime.

[WABS]

I'm waiting for AJ to say something, because I know he really likes his Savage ML. I think his is a couple years old though.

[Canadian_Goose]

Ya the newer ones shoot smokeless powder correct?

[WABS]

That's correct, but they've been that way for a couple of years now. Not a real popular attribute for many of the ML traditionalists. Don't know if AJ uses his with smokeless powder or not.

[shotist]

The 10ML and 10ML-II were all rated for smokeless.

[PA_RIDGE_RUNNER]

I have read some rather glowing reports on the savage. Some traditionalists seem to turn their noses up at inlines in general and savages in particular but if you have a savage and it is legal where we hunt Ill still hunt witcha.

[AJ]

Yep, I have had mine for a few years now. I love it. The only drawback is its a bit on the heavy side, but its a welcome gift when you start cranking up the loads for it. I do indeed shoot smokeless in mine. It will never see the stinky stuff. I have a handfull of other inlines and sidelocks to use that stuff in.

The nice thing about the Savage is you can make it do just about what ever you want. If you want a mild recoiling load for deer at standard ML velocities, its easy to do. If you want to crank the speed up and make it into a long range front stuffer, you can do that also. If you want a big heavy bullet for huge game, it will do the deed. Its a very sweet gun. There are loads that span the spectrum from mild to I don't want to shoot that again.

The Savage 10ML-II is the strongest mass produced muzzleloaders on the market. If I were to get a new smokeless ML, I would lean towards a H&R receiver and a custom SMI barrel. Some purists and the uninformed will balk at them saying they are dangerous. That they can be blown up with a slight over charge. This is partially true. You can blow up any gun with an overcharge, it takes a very stout load to do so and if a shooter is that stupid, they don't need to be around firearms to begin with.

[WABS]

About dang time you weighted in on this one AJ!! Good hearing from you. Happy Thanksgiving! 1 week till I go to MN for their opening ML season. Got a license for small game too (pheasants, ducks and geese)

[AJ]

I have to work for a living down here. I am kind of glad I was not able to hunt big game this year. I can't get the time off to go. Next year on the other hand....

Good luck in MN Buddy! We want pictures.