Smokeless muzzleloader

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, and others.

PBramble

Let's Eat
Special Hen
Joined
Jan 8, 2009
Messages
2,793
Reaction score
3,658
Location
OKC
I've wanted one for a while and finally got it done. I had an old Remington 700 laying around with a .308 Remage barrel on it. It just doesn't shoot like I'd hoped, so I decided to donate it for the project. I researched a bit and went with a Remage .45 barrel from Arrowhead Rifles. Had Steve Baldwin install the barrel and headspace it for the modules it uses. Initially, I couldn't find any powder for it that I wanted, so I bought another with similar burn characteristics. Took it out today and finally shot it and sighted it in. It doesn't really kick any harder than any rifle I've owned and it's substantially less than my 300 Win. Mag. Anyway, here's what it did today at 100 yards. The first round in this group is at one o'clock. Made a slight scope adjustment and shot the next two rounds. Now to chronograph the velocity and make up a dope chart for extended ranges.
upload_2020-8-16_21-39-58.png
 

PBramble

Let's Eat
Special Hen
Joined
Jan 8, 2009
Messages
2,793
Reaction score
3,658
Location
OKC
Excellent! Must be a mild load if it doesn't kick that hard.
I didn't get any velocities today, so that's next. I'm running 60 grains of IMR4198 under a 300 grain xld. I have a range of 55 to 65 grains of H4198 suggested by the barrel manufacturer, but the IMR tends to run a tad hotter, so I'm working this one up and playing it safe.
DSC_0856.jpg
 

Oklahomabassin

Sharpshooter
Special Hen
Joined
Mar 27, 2007
Messages
24,975
Reaction score
23,420
Location
America!
I didn't get any velocities today, so that's next. I'm running 60 grains of IMR4198 under a 300 grain xld. I have a range of 55 to 65 grains of H4198 suggested by the barrel manufacturer, but the IMR tends to run a tad hotter, so I'm working this one up and playing it safe.
DSC_0856.jpg
IIRC the Rem 700 action builds have a recommended load lower than a build on a Savage MLII action. I look forward to hearing more as you work up a load. I need to get mine back out. I may have to get a scuba diving friend to help me retrieve it.
 

dennishoddy

Sharpshooter
Supporting Member
Special Hen Supporter
Joined
Dec 9, 2008
Messages
84,556
Reaction score
61,836
Location
Ponca City Ok
IIRC the Rem 700 action builds have a recommended load lower than a build on a Savage MLII action. I look forward to hearing more as you work up a load. I need to get mine back out. I may have to get a scuba diving friend to help me retrieve it.
Yes, every barrel produced by Savage was tested at 100,000 PSI. Much higher than any other company's testing.
 

PBramble

Let's Eat
Special Hen
Joined
Jan 8, 2009
Messages
2,793
Reaction score
3,658
Location
OKC
IIRC the Rem 700 action builds have a recommended load lower than a build on a Savage MLII action. I look forward to hearing more as you work up a load. I need to get mine back out. I may have to get a scuba diving friend to help me retrieve it.
I do find that interesting considering, from what I've read on them, the Savage bolt has no locking lugs.

Dennis, I really need to check it, but similar rifles shooting the same loads I am are pushing 2550 to almost 2700 fps.
 

dennishoddy

Sharpshooter
Supporting Member
Special Hen Supporter
Joined
Dec 9, 2008
Messages
84,556
Reaction score
61,836
Location
Ponca City Ok
I do find that interesting considering, from what I've read on them, the Savage bolt has no locking lugs.

Dennis, I really need to check it, but similar rifles shooting the same loads I am are pushing 2550 to almost 2700 fps.

Yeah there are folks quitting some fast speeds but are they after speed or accuracies

It appears your initial load is dead on.
I wouldn’t change a thing.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom