We are in the winding down days of hunting season. So I’ll ramble on a subject Ramrod brought up.
A few states have end of the year Gun seasons, Arkansas included. This is a great time to still get a trophy!
Some states have a “shotgun only “ restrictions that have included MLers. Arkansas is such a state. Having been an avid black powder shooter using patched RBs out of Lymans, rebarreled TC Hawkins and eventually an Ozark Mtn Arms custom replica of the 1857 Hawkin Slantbreech presentation model (34 5/8” barrel, 50 cal).
I shot weekly for years in the 80s. I also benchrest shot 6PPCs. Then I helped with the preproduction Sav 10ML and later the 10ML2 working with Toby Bridges confirming and testing various loads and bullet combinations. Mixed feelings as this “wasn’t “ muzzleloading. However, I just wanted to hunt locally the most effective way possible so I hunted with the 10ML and later 10ML2. If I went muzzleloading hunting in other parts of the state that had MLing seasons, I took my true BP gun(s). Now that inlines are the norm, I’d take one of my modern versions.
In 2002, I think, I got the first 40 cal smokeless ML by using a 405 Win barrel, 26”, drilled for a Breech plug (RB from Arkansas) and shot bore sized knurled bullets. A year later I got a 45 also, the second one made on a Sav 10ML2 action, also from RB from Arkansas. Both of these guns are in the picture below. They’ve been in use since 2002 and 2003 . The next gun is a Rem 700 ML action, Jewell trigger, 26” Brux barrel, and a MB which I got used.
These guns have unbelievable capabilities but pretty well meet what the states allowing their usage in shotgun only areas want: not having a 24-30 cal bullet going for miles. This is also why some states have allowed straight walled cartridges, in addition to SGs and MLers.
My 40 is my hi performance version shooting a 225g Pittman 40 cal AccuMax @ 2945 avg ‘/sec. 2 1/4” hi at 100, 1 1/2” hi @ 200, 6” low at 300, and 20” low at 400. Sub 1/2 MOA thru 300 yds, and haven’t done serious 400 yd testing as I only am using a 2.5x10 Bushnell 4200. At 400 yards it still has 1888’-lbs of energy. The 45 Rem shoots a 275 AccuMax @ 2845 which is a fairly light load, by my choice. The 45 PacNor thumbhole stock is my very light load gun shooting a 200SST @2510 with only 37g VV110. 1 1/2” high @100 and 5 1/2” low at 200. Recoil is less than a 2 1/2” 410. The hotly loaded 40 is more like a 308/150g bullet - still light.
Why showing this? It’s been a subject of discussion on Ramrod’s post. This light 45 has numerous trophy deer , mostly shot by my son, it’s latest nice deer, on Nov 7, 2019.
These guns cost less than many are paying and continuing to spend on crossbows. Might be a good offseason project to get one and get ready for next year.
A few states have end of the year Gun seasons, Arkansas included. This is a great time to still get a trophy!
Some states have a “shotgun only “ restrictions that have included MLers. Arkansas is such a state. Having been an avid black powder shooter using patched RBs out of Lymans, rebarreled TC Hawkins and eventually an Ozark Mtn Arms custom replica of the 1857 Hawkin Slantbreech presentation model (34 5/8” barrel, 50 cal).
I shot weekly for years in the 80s. I also benchrest shot 6PPCs. Then I helped with the preproduction Sav 10ML and later the 10ML2 working with Toby Bridges confirming and testing various loads and bullet combinations. Mixed feelings as this “wasn’t “ muzzleloading. However, I just wanted to hunt locally the most effective way possible so I hunted with the 10ML and later 10ML2. If I went muzzleloading hunting in other parts of the state that had MLing seasons, I took my true BP gun(s). Now that inlines are the norm, I’d take one of my modern versions.
In 2002, I think, I got the first 40 cal smokeless ML by using a 405 Win barrel, 26”, drilled for a Breech plug (RB from Arkansas) and shot bore sized knurled bullets. A year later I got a 45 also, the second one made on a Sav 10ML2 action, also from RB from Arkansas. Both of these guns are in the picture below. They’ve been in use since 2002 and 2003 . The next gun is a Rem 700 ML action, Jewell trigger, 26” Brux barrel, and a MB which I got used.
These guns have unbelievable capabilities but pretty well meet what the states allowing their usage in shotgun only areas want: not having a 24-30 cal bullet going for miles. This is also why some states have allowed straight walled cartridges, in addition to SGs and MLers.
My 40 is my hi performance version shooting a 225g Pittman 40 cal AccuMax @ 2945 avg ‘/sec. 2 1/4” hi at 100, 1 1/2” hi @ 200, 6” low at 300, and 20” low at 400. Sub 1/2 MOA thru 300 yds, and haven’t done serious 400 yd testing as I only am using a 2.5x10 Bushnell 4200. At 400 yards it still has 1888’-lbs of energy. The 45 Rem shoots a 275 AccuMax @ 2845 which is a fairly light load, by my choice. The 45 PacNor thumbhole stock is my very light load gun shooting a 200SST @2510 with only 37g VV110. 1 1/2” high @100 and 5 1/2” low at 200. Recoil is less than a 2 1/2” 410. The hotly loaded 40 is more like a 308/150g bullet - still light.
Why showing this? It’s been a subject of discussion on Ramrod’s post. This light 45 has numerous trophy deer , mostly shot by my son, it’s latest nice deer, on Nov 7, 2019.
These guns cost less than many are paying and continuing to spend on crossbows. Might be a good offseason project to get one and get ready for next year.