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Post by fatfred on Sept 7, 2021 11:30:52 GMT -5
We were shotgun only until 2011. Our groups used Hawkins sidelocks in the early days trying to better on the accuracy. There was a short time when rifled slug barrels came around where we broke out the slug guns again. Then the inlines came and we went back to them over the rifled slug guns. I started with a Thunderhawk. Two years later in 2000 I got a knight which allowed higher speed at 150 gr charges. Then the Savage right after they went to the breech plug ignition. It was all about increasing performance and extending range to our group. Then, right before the huge .45 movement and the mass move to fully custom super guns, we went rifle. Being that our goal was accuracy and trajectory, I saw no need to dive into the next level. I would have though in a heartbeat. My Savage is still a great gun for the one weekend I use it. It's still very capable at 200 yds with some of the loads I shoot. It's also amazing what some of you guys do with these guns.
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Post by yoderjac on Sept 7, 2021 16:45:24 GMT -5
My primary reason for going smokeless was to avoid smoke. All of the other advantages are icing on the cake; albeit, great icing! In one years time I had several very difficult deer recoveries that were caused by shooting a muzzleloader on a breezeless day. In each case, the shot was good but the smoke hung and completely occluded the deer's escape path. I ended up walking circles with a FLIR after dark for hours and eventually finding the deer. In each case, there was very little hair or blood at the impact site and no blood trail. The bullet mushroomed and did not exit the deer so there was no exit wound. They were shot from a treestand, so the entry wound was high. The deer did not absorb enough kinetic energy to drop. In no case did the deer run particularly far, I simply had no indication of search direction which is problematic especially in heavy cover.
I figured that an SML would first and foremost allow me to see the deer's escape after the shot if there is one. The increase in kinetic energy may or may not make that point moot. 95% of my shot opportunities are under 100 yards. There are a few places where I can get longer shot opportunities, but these are rare. The longer range accuracy is a small fringe benefit for me.
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Post by BigMoney on Sept 7, 2021 20:27:41 GMT -5
I hunt in the Midwest and I got into SML because I wanted a better weapon for muzzleloader season. The deciding factor for me was when my buddy let me borrow his bolt gun after he tagged out and I killed a buck 425 yards with it. That itch had to be scratched after that.
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Post by 82mastertech on Sept 7, 2021 20:51:26 GMT -5
Because I wanted to shoot that deer at 225 yards to the other end of my field. Now I wanna shoot that deer at 400 yards and bang steel at 1250 yards
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Post by booner22 on Sept 7, 2021 22:03:48 GMT -5
My boys just started hunting in a shotgun only state and they can’t handle the recoil of a slug gun. I am probably one of the only members still shooting a stock savage .50 cal. I just recently purchased a Cva conversion because I needed another gun to allow 2 kids to hunt at the same time. I haven’t messed with black powder in close to 20 years and don’t plan to ever again.
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shoop
Junior Member
Posts: 58
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Post by shoop on Sept 8, 2021 6:30:37 GMT -5
Bigger hole means less time tracking!
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Post by dennis on Sept 8, 2021 9:56:47 GMT -5
It really isn't about the mess and cleanup c'mon we are men and well first we were (dirty) boys, oh and some of you are dirty old men. The real reason for the itch is, we are all crazy about this kind of stuff. Or as Bill claimed we are ramrod maniacs.
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Post by caseless on Sept 8, 2021 12:50:06 GMT -5
Let’s see if I can list some reasons : Jeff, Kyle , Mark , Dennis, Toby , Richard, Steve B, Steve W , Bill T , Steve Z , Jimbob , Etc . Not forgetting anyone just getting tired of Typing 😂. Actually it just seems to continue the progression of muzzleloading for me . Other than an occasional doe I have hunted all of my deer for 35 years with a muzzle loader or a bow . This “itch “ just seems to fall right in 😁😎
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Post by shindig on Sept 8, 2021 15:54:48 GMT -5
Those darn videos got me addicted. And yes what great people I have met.
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Post by damnyankee on Sept 9, 2021 20:10:09 GMT -5
+1 on those darn videos!!! Between Hanks video on the Encore and the Pittman bullet test video Thats all it took! When HillBill shoots the first deer in the video at 180+ and barrel rolls the deer{SOLD!} Up un till that point I thought smokeless muzzleloading was dead, boy did I get tuned up! Hey Jeff, I know your pressed for time but id love to see a new video! Lol
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Post by smokelessk on Sept 10, 2021 3:17:13 GMT -5
+1 on those darn videos!!! Between Hanks video on the Encore and the Pittman bullet test video Thats all it took! When HillBill shoots the first deer in the video at 180+ and barrel rolls the deer{SOLD!} Up un till that point I thought smokeless muzzleloading was dead, boy did I get tuned up! Hey Jeff, I know your pressed for time but id love to see a new video! Lol Smokeless muzzleloading sure ain't dead! Just gotta go where it happening. Haha |
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Post by SURESHOT on Sept 10, 2021 7:48:12 GMT -5
Becoming a non fan with the Savage ML II for various reasons, stumbling across the (YOUTUBE) shows of Hankins, and watching them all! decided to move in that new direction, Was directed to a person I now consider a friend and great gun builder, here in the STATE of NC after talking with him and (2) muzzleloaders later, I have helped pass this itch to 16 others, 8 bolt guns and 8 CVA scouts conversions here in my community..... still scratching and spreading the itch ! Thanks to all on the BOARD for the help and advise!
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Post by Kimber204 on Sept 10, 2021 13:43:12 GMT -5
Several years ago we moved from a rural area to the greater Pittsburgh PA area. It's all special regulations hunting here. I got a Rem 700 Ultimate Muzzleloader and it shot great, but I didn't like having to clean it. If I didn't clean it soon after shooting it, the 777 residue was a hassle and it would try to rust. I sold it in favor of a Savage 220 Slug gun. The slug gun is nice because a lot of my hunting these days is a few hours here or there where/when I can fit it in. Easy to unload the savage and toss it in the vehicle. But PA is starting to get more different types of seasons/opportunities. Now we not only have an early muzzleloader anterless season, but we also have a week long early muzzleloader bear season. And for the last half of that muzzleloader bear season senior hunters can hunt with firearms. Sooooo, I needed a new gun to allow me to hunt with my dad when he takes the .35 Whelen out of the safe for bear.
I just shot my SML for the first time today and I love it. Kicks like a mule, but very accurate at 100yds. It's a Rem 700, Brux #17, 45cal, with Hanks HIS. At 100yds it puts Parker 275gr Black Max in the same (sub MOA) group as Hornady 250gr XTP. Next time out I'll check elevations at 200 and 300yds.
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Post by outdoors81 on Sept 11, 2021 20:22:01 GMT -5
Up until 3 years ago I always half assed ML season. I hated shooting my omega because I hated cleaning it. I never built the confidence in the weapon I needed. That ML season 3 years ago I pulled in the gate hole after shooting light with my Casey's doughnut and coffee. Then out walk ole spilt G2 at 177yds. That made the research start and I found Hankins YouTube videos on the CVA conversion. By next season I had the CVA conversion and a Custom SML Bolt gun. The picture attached is from that day while drinking my coffee. I actually found the chewed up shed of the deer last hunting season.   |
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jarhead TX
Junior Member
Getting ready for another season
Posts: 96
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Post by jarhead TX on Sept 17, 2021 13:45:20 GMT -5
Saw video of Jeff shooting a scout thought I had to get one did!!. Bolt gun alot more money couldnt justify the cost after 1st season decided I had to get a bolt. Jimbob built "damn nice gun "for me this year.Will be at polar bear shoot in Feb. Then will be regular @ Spring & Fall Kentucky Challenge. Learned alot last yr and half still shooting every weekend till hunting season. See all of you in Feburary
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Post by outdoors81 on Sept 18, 2021 16:56:41 GMT -5
Saw video of Jeff shooting a scout thought I had to get one did!!. Bolt gun alot more money couldnt justify the cost after 1st season decided I had to get a bolt. Jimbob built "damn nice gun "for me this year.Will be at polar bear shoot in Feb. Then will be regular @ Spring & Fall Kentucky Challenge. Learned alot last yr and half still shooting every weekend till hunting season. See all of you in Feburary Damn hankins videos!! They have cost a lot of people a lot of money🤣 |
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Post by Deputy819 on Sept 23, 2021 4:03:05 GMT -5
i saw some Hiilbilly from Kentucky shooting some amazing geoups on U tube . Not even sure how many years and a few rifles ago . Its been all down hill from there ! Thanks Jeff ! In all seriousness. This has been a great experience i have met a lot of really great people .It was something i needed. ^^^THIS^^^ 😁 Had to try it for myself after seeing the videos. Picked up a Scout Conversion a little over a month ago and immediately took the forearm and buttstock to Ricco at Black Dove Custom Cerakote to jazz it up a little. Going to pick them up today and FINALLY be able to shoot the thing for the first time. I’m excited..😉 |
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