Inline ML's smokeless or not?
- Thread starter ryanloco
- Start date
You ask for pro/cons, and thoughts- here are some of mine.
If all you want to do is pull the trigger once a year and store the gun dirty like most of the in-liner crowd, then go with the smokeless savage. Simply put, it will go bang reliably and last forever.
Personally, I'd put my opensighted sidelock T/C Hawken shooting real blackpowder and patched roundballs up against any of the so-called magnum/scoped/sabot shooting in-lines.
My Hawken has embarrased more than a few of the in-line users at the range, and it never fails to fire providing I do my part.
If you must have an in-line (though I can't think of a reason why over sidelock) then also look at the Thompson/Center Omega.
If all you want to do is pull the trigger once a year and store the gun dirty like most of the in-liner crowd, then go with the smokeless savage. Simply put, it will go bang reliably and last forever.
Personally, I'd put my opensighted sidelock T/C Hawken shooting real blackpowder and patched roundballs up against any of the so-called magnum/scoped/sabot shooting in-lines.
My Hawken has embarrased more than a few of the in-line users at the range, and it never fails to fire providing I do my part.
If you must have an in-line (though I can't think of a reason why over sidelock) then also look at the Thompson/Center Omega.
I have owned and shot all types. Flinters to savage inlines. With due respect to the marksmanship and diligence of the traditional rifle users there simply is no comparison. A top notch inline like the savage will out perform any traditional rifle.
I may not be a top notch marksman but my inlines always out shot my traditionals for me and those I know who have used them.
I may not be a top notch marksman but my inlines always out shot my traditionals for me and those I know who have used them.
I have used three different Knight inlines with black powder ,pyrodex, and 777 ( pyrodex was my prefered ). They were very accurate up to 100 plus meters ( 1.5" groups) but after that things got so so.
They never had a misfire using the 209 primer ignition.
Also shot remingtons and they were about the same.
Using smokeless in my savage easily extended hunting accuracy and power to 200 yrds with 2.5 to 3 inch groups at 200 . ( The mess factor is also a big plus ) 300 gr XTP's at over 2000 fps put the performance of this rifle far ahead of the others. ( prefered powder IMR 4227 with CCI mag primers)
If you want traditional then go for it but if you want a gun that will give you the maximum capability in a hunting situation go smokeless. Whatever you choose in an inline be sure the twist is 1-28 or less in order to accurately shoot sabots and bullets. The BP inlines rifles you mentioned all perform about the same the only difference is gizmos for loading cleaning and priming. Pick one that is easy to prime with a scope on it. Some require very nimble fingers or a tool. Easiest I've found to load the primer on is the break open H@R's but they are relatively cheaply made compared to the others.
Or just do what I did. Buy, use, sell, buy,use, sell, repeat repeat repeat........
They never had a misfire using the 209 primer ignition.
Also shot remingtons and they were about the same.
Using smokeless in my savage easily extended hunting accuracy and power to 200 yrds with 2.5 to 3 inch groups at 200 . ( The mess factor is also a big plus ) 300 gr XTP's at over 2000 fps put the performance of this rifle far ahead of the others. ( prefered powder IMR 4227 with CCI mag primers)
If you want traditional then go for it but if you want a gun that will give you the maximum capability in a hunting situation go smokeless. Whatever you choose in an inline be sure the twist is 1-28 or less in order to accurately shoot sabots and bullets. The BP inlines rifles you mentioned all perform about the same the only difference is gizmos for loading cleaning and priming. Pick one that is easy to prime with a scope on it. Some require very nimble fingers or a tool. Easiest I've found to load the primer on is the break open H@R's but they are relatively cheaply made compared to the others.
Or just do what I did. Buy, use, sell, buy,use, sell, repeat repeat repeat........
Last edited:
