Smokeless Shooting Technology Rises


popgun

Recommended Posts

To my knowledge the Savage 10ML is the only production model muzzeloader that will shoot smokeless powder safely.

There is a lot more to going smokeless than simply changing the breach plug.

Most muzzeloader barrels are not made to withstand the pressures of Smokeless.

I love shooting my smokeless Savage, but it is designed for the task.

I would not shoot smokeless in any other front-stuffer. .....popgun

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Re: Smokeless Shooting Technology Rises

One of the regulations here in Iowa is the gun must be loaded from the front of the barrel, cant help but think this would be awfull close to illegal in that regard.Other than that they didnt have a whole lot of information about how the gun worked so I cant say much about it, interesting looking design anyway.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Re: Smokeless Shooting Technology Rises

Another concern I would have is all ML barrels I've seen are stamped with "Use black powder only". With that I would assume using smokeless powder will void any warranty and release the gunmaker from any liabilities if the shooter was harmed from a damaged gun. In other words "try at your own risk".

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Guest RandyWakeman

Re: Smokeless Shooting Technology Rises

[ QUOTE ]

Another concern I would have is all ML barrels I've seen are stamped with "Use black powder only". With that I would assume using smokeless powder will void any warranty and release the gunmaker from any liabilities if the shooter was harmed from a damaged gun. In other words "try at your own risk".

[/ QUOTE ]

That is Thompson's stance-- a change of a breechplug in no way changes their owner's manual and related warnings

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Re: Smokeless Shooting Technology Rises

It may or may not be "safe". I inquired of VVCG about

making a smokeless barrel for the Encore. Steve Stratton

told me there was just not enough diameter in the bridge

of the receiver to allow a barrel with enough diameter to

be safe for .50 muzzleloader, in their opinion.

This Modernmuzzleloading site is none too specific,

other than getting 2100 fps with a 250gr XTP. With

some powders, that could be less pressure than that

developed by 777, yet with other powders, it could be

more. This is an area that is hardly explored. They

would have to do some serious pressure testing and

make the results public before I would attempt it in

my rifle.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Re: Smokeless Shooting Technology Rises

Very true DB1! Using their setup, the breechplug is acting like a chamber. It can be hardened and made to withstand moderate pressures. They are using 39 gr of powder (which one, I dunno) to get 2100 fps. This is a moderate load and probably produces about the same peak pressure as the 150 gr pyrodex loads or the 777 loads. The pressure peak for the stinky stuff is drawn out longer than smokeless powder is.

I have had a similar idea for standard muzzleloaders. Grated it will not be as stout as the Savage but you should be able to duplicate standard Pyrodex or 777 ballistics safely. Where it gets nasty is some yahoo sees some of the loads we shoot in the Savage and decides to try these in the converted barrel and it comes apart. That kept me from proceeding forwards with the idea.

I think when used with some common sence, it will work just fine. If the shooter gets velocity hungry and wants to see what it will do, all bets are off.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Re: Smokeless Shooting Technology Rises

Interesting design, but it would not be legal to use for deer hunting here. Muzzleloaders used with smokeless powder are illegal in Illinois.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Guest RandyWakeman

Re: Smokeless Shooting Technology Rises

[ QUOTE ]

Interesting design, but it would not be legal to use for deer hunting here. Muzzleloaders used with smokeless powder are illegal in Illinois.

[/ QUOTE ]

That was last year. blush.gif

It would not seem to be a muzzleloader. After all, the grenade launcher on an M1 Garand shoots .30-06 blanks to lob grenades.

This hybrid is a cartridge gun, with solely a frontloaded projectile.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Re: Smokeless Shooting Technology Rises

Illinois Digest of Hunting & Trapping Regulations - 2004/2005 states on page 11:

"Only black powder or a "black powder substitute" such as Pyrodex may be used. Modern smokeless powders do not qualify as a "black powder substitute".

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Re: Smokeless Shooting Technology Rises

"This hybrid is a cartridge gun, with solely a frontloaded projectile. "

Completely agree....

A gun with this system may well test the sense of humor of a DNR officer.

I gotta wonder if you couldn't take a .45-70 Encore barrel and accomplish the same thing. Load up some primed cases with a proper powder charge and wadding then stuff a .45 cal bullet down the bore on top of it.

hangunnr

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Guest RandyWakeman

Re: Smokeless Shooting Technology Rises

[ QUOTE ]

Illinois Digest of Hunting & Trapping Regulations - 2004/2005 states on page 11:

"Only black powder or a "black powder substitute" such as Pyrodex may be used. Modern smokeless powders do not qualify as a "black powder substitute".

[/ QUOTE ]

As I said-- that was for last year.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Guest RandyWakeman

Re: Smokeless Shooting Technology Rises

[ QUOTE ]

I gotta wonder if you couldn't take a .45-70 Encore barrel and accomplish the same thing. Load up some primed cases with a proper powder charge and wadding then stuff a .45 cal bullet down the bore on top of it.

hangunnr

[/ QUOTE ]

Or any straight case load within reason. When Tony Knight came up with "Modern Muzzleloading," he was still pouring powder down the muzzle.

Don't know the powder used either-- but would bet a cup of coffee it is 5744.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Re: Smokeless Shooting Technology Rises

Well since the 2004/2005 book is good thru 7/31/05 and covers the season that just ended, I guess we'll just have to see about "this" year won't we?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Guest RandyWakeman

Re: Smokeless Shooting Technology Rises

There is nothing to debate-- if you really are not aware that I have been working with DNR's for some time, now you should be.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Re: Smokeless Shooting Technology Rises

RandyWakeman, I thank you.

My son and I did not get drawn for ML tags this year in Ill.

I was afraid I was going to be forced to use 777 or Pyrodex in my Savage 10MLII, and I have not yet worked up a load for it with either of these choices.

My Savage has never smoked and I am glad to hear that if we finally are lucky enough to get drawn for tags this coming season that I can use what the rifle was designed for.(Smokeless) 43 grns. VVN110 w/250SST.(my present deer load)

I have no reason to doubt your word. Thanks again.

.....popgun

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 months later...
Guest RandyWakeman

Re: Smokeless Shooting Technology Rises

[ QUOTE ]

RandyWakeman, I thank you.

My son and I did not get drawn for ML tags this year in Ill.

I was afraid I was going to be forced to use 777 or Pyrodex in my Savage 10MLII, and I have not yet worked up a load for it with either of these choices.

My Savage has never smoked and I am glad to hear that if we finally are lucky enough to get drawn for tags this coming season that I can use what the rifle was designed for.(Smokeless) 43 grns. VVN110 w/250SST.(my present deer load)

I have no reason to doubt your word. Thanks again.

.....popgun

[/ QUOTE ]

Smokeless muzzleloading is now legal in all firearm seasons in Illinois.

You are quite welcome.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Guest RandyWakeman

Re: Smokeless Shooting Technology Rises

The administrative rule change has been posted for a long time-- the time for public comment expired 4/11/2005.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Re: Smokeless Shooting Technology Rises

[ QUOTE ]

I would assume that after one loads the cartridge into the chamber, he would then push a projectile down the barrel with the ramrod. Sounds like fun, ramming a bullet down the barrel while a primed charge sits in the chamber. blush.gifconfused.gifshocked.gifcrazy.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

Why couldn't you seat the bullet against the breechplug, then insert the primed and charged cartridge in the breechplug?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Guest RandyWakeman

Re: Smokeless Shooting Technology Rises

[ QUOTE ]

[ QUOTE ]

I would assume that after one loads the cartridge into the chamber, he would then push a projectile down the barrel with the ramrod. Sounds like fun, ramming a bullet down the barrel while a primed charge sits in the chamber. blush.gifconfused.gifshocked.gifcrazy.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

Why couldn't you seat the bullet against the breechplug, then insert the primed and charged cartridge in the breechplug?

[/ QUOTE ]

Of course-- ignition source is always inserted last.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.