Anybody interested in smokeless muzzleloading take a look

[ElkStalkR]

Just got my converted 45/70 barrel back last night and thought I would post a few pictures for all to see. This is a H&R Handi-Rifle in 45-70 caliber that has been converted to a smokeless muzzleloader by drilling the breech and inserting a standard Savage breech plug. It is now a smokeless 45 caliber muzzleloader. I have about $400 in this set up the way it currently sits.

I can certainly take more pics if anybody wants to see anything else, or if you got any questions fire away. As soon as it warms up I will be taking it out to the range. I will be removing the open sights and mounting a scope on it. I've got all the accessories I need to do that, but didn't have time to get the scope mounted last night.

 

[Oklahomabassin]

Nice! What kind of load data will you use?

 

[Okie4570]

Smokeless in a ML! You'll blow your head off...................................just a preview of what's to come, lol. Nice elkstalker, who did the work? I've got some data somewhere for a .45 savage ML-II, will see if I can find it.

 

[ElkStalkR]

The guys on Doug's message board have put thousands of rounds down range with this set up, that is where I got the idea to do this and the guy who drills and taps the barrels is on that board. They can also be built on a CVA Apex or T/C Encore platform. Anyway there are all sorts of configurations of loads you can use in this gun and they are posted on that board, but I am keeping mine relatively simple and light. Gonna start out with 36 grains of 5744 and 195 grain saboted Barnes all copper bullet.

 

[ElkStalkR]

More specifically a gentleman out of Virginia who goes by Slufoot on Doug's message board did my conversion. He is very well known for doing these on there and has done many of them.

 

[Oklahomabassin]

Cool, just curious if the H&R barrels can handle similar pressures as the Savage smokeless muzzle loader.

 

[ElkStalkR]

Cool, just curious if the H&R barrels can handle similar pressures as the Savage smokeless muzzle loader.

The guys on that board would know more about the pressure than I do, but yes they can easily with stand the pressures of smokeless muzzleloading. I could be wrong, but I believe they are loading these guns hotter than the savage. I know several guys on that board accurately shoot their's out to 400 and 500 yards. Distance isn't the reason I got this gun though. I just wanted another smokeless ML and this was very affordable to build. If it will shoot out to 200yds with 5744 I will be more than pleased.

 

[264killer]

is breech plug removable for cleaning

 

[Okie4570]

Nice elkstalker, looking forward to how it works out for you. I came across a used ML-II last month, it was in excellent shape, I should have picked it up.

 

[ElkStalkR]

is breech plug removable for cleaning

Funny, your not the first guy who has asked that! Yes, of course it is. No way would I buy a muzzleloader that the breech plug would not be removable for cleaning and/or replacement. A savage breech plug absolutely must be removable so that you can replace the vent liner from time to time.