Looking for info on a Savage ML Smokeless load

powdergun

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Does anyone have any information on a good all copper muzzle loader bullet ( like Barnes) that I can use in a Savage ML with smokeless powder. I have MMP sabots that are rated for smokeless but was wondering if there were any all copper hunting bullets that would work. I know that the Barnes comes with sabot but am unsure if they will work over smokeless.

Thanks
 
I've tried a lot of different bullets and powders over the last ~15 years with mine. Hornaday XTP's over SR4759 (when they still made it), Parker B.E.'s over LT32, etc., etc... (Parker's loaded like $hit, were expensive and gave me poor groups).

Now I use Barnes TMZ 290gr exclusively, those are all copper with the blue polymer ballistic tip & boat tail, good B.C. (.241), readily available.

I use them over 45gr of AA5744. Not the hottest load, but maybe the most consistent. FPS is 2035 on average. Very accurate, consistently shooting 1 MOA groups at the most (my 10MLii is easily my most accurate rifle). Keep in mind every rifle behaves different, even when using the same load.

Last fall on a dead calm day, I was smacking my 10" gong shot after shot at 400 yards. With a 150 yard zero, the bullet drop was 75" (18 MOA adjustment), beyond that distance it drops below the sound barrier and I couldn't see myself shooting at anything.

Black MMP sabots are too short and meant for flat bottom bullets. If you go with TMZs you have to use the yellow sabots that come with them, they're also MMP's I think and designed for the long boat tailed TMZ bullets.
 
My go to was sr4759 with XTP's as well. I still have a couple bottles of the stuff. I am going to take your suggestion with the AA5744 and the Barnes bullets. My initial worry was that the sabots they came with would not hold up over smokeless but you have answered that. As well I am smelling a ban on lead bullets for hunting in the wind so I figured I might as well get ahead of things lol..

Thanks again for the info
 
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