Modern MuzzleLoader options

wildphil24

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I'm in the market for a modern ML rifle. I want it to be effective on a moose to 300m. Would be nice if it was easy to clean, striker-fired, under 8lbs, CeraKoted stainless, had a picatiny scope-rail, a proper cheek-rest and a match trigger.

Is there a smokeless ML rifle available and under 3000$? Or is it simple to make one from a .45-70 or .300BO and be a ML legally?

If not, can I shoot super-magnum (200gr of Triple7) in each of these models?
Knight Ultra-lite
Knight Peregrine
CVA Paramount
CVA Accura MR-X
Traditions Vortek

Nitrofire seems interesting but limited to 120gr (+-200m effective range).

Remington UML is attractive but on the heavy side. Probably more enjoyable to practice with but less to stalk.

Suggestions and comments?
 
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Unless you want to do something custom, or find a used Savage Smokeless 10ML, your options are limited. There are some conversions being done for the Encore's and some other break actions as I recall.

Look up Arrowhead rifles and peruse some of the SML forums. You'll need to find a good smith and you're in the at your own risk territory. Plenty safe if you do your research and stay within the limits.

Building a semi-custom job using a factory donor can be done for 3k or less.

Defiance Outcasts with a 5'' shanked barrel, with the arrowhead breach plugs and modules are about as good as it gets, but you wont be able to get into that for sub 3k.

My current build is a Defiance Outcast with a Benchmark 5'' shanked MTU profile 22'' carbon barrel using the Arrowhead breach plug/modules. Manners stock incoming.

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Contact Ken at Accuracy Development Solutions, He builds smokeless muzzleloader for whatever purpose you desire. I know he has a Remington Ultimate right now that he has converted to a smokeless in stock . He converted my CVA Paramount a couple of years back and it has been two for two in the last couple of years making a 297 and a 280 yard shot.
 
As Steyr101 said in the above post, converting an appropriate donor to a smokeless gun is best reserved to the few builders here that are well versed in the subject. Mine was built by Accuracy Development Solutions on a CVA Paramount donor action(Rem700 S/A footprint) using a 26" long shank Brux barrel and a 4 chamber muzzle brake, Arrowhead Precision breechplug and Arrowhead primer modules . The gun is capable of pushing a 300gr sabotless 45cal aluminum tipped projectile at 2730fps with the powder charge it is fed at the moment. I could probably get a little more out of it, but it holds it's own and will shoot MOA out to 500yds so that's plenty for me. Arrowhead also sells a sizing die as the bullets are a little oversize and need to be sized down to the bore(usually this take 3 passes through the die to account for spring back). To do this properly is not a drop in the bucket $$$ wise, but well worth the investment if you decide to pursue LR smokeless muzzleloading.
 
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Get the old Savage 10ML-ll if you can find one. I was looking for one to hunt elk in the Cow Elk primitive arms zone/ season near Calgary- bows, crossbows muzzle loaders and shotgun. Unobtanium pro tempus. bought a Savage 212 bolt action rifled barrel shotgun honest MOAish with 300gr Hornady saboted slugs and 3 shots to boot. It has a .45 saboted slug with roughly the same ballistics as a 45/70. I wouldn't take a poke at a moose 300 yards away, the only thing I have shot with it so far was a WT doe at a little under 200 yds, flipped it with a high shoulder shot, we were impressed to say the least. good luck with your project OP.
 
I have a 10MLII and use it to hunt almost every year. I am extremely satisfied with it, but, I see as antiquated a design that uses a bolt action receiver, as it adds the weight of an action and the unnecessary length of a non existant cartridge. A break action smokeless muzzle loader would be superior in the field for being lighter and shorter.
 
A break action smokeless muzzle loader would be superior in the field for being lighter and shorter.
I would think a break-action can't be as accurate as a bolt-action.
I settled for a new Rem700UML. With an ArrowHead breach-plug and BlackHorn209 I should get performances similar to a Savage 10ML.
If I want to upgrade to smokeless someday I can rebarrel it.

Thanks for every input.
 
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