Shooting and Rocket Fuels

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The Home on the Web For Smokeless Muzzle Loaders

Think smokeless rifle powder can’t be shot in a muzzle loading rifle? Well think again. With the introduction of the  Savage 10ML smokeless muzzle loading shooting took off and has not looked back. This is the place to find how and why it all happened

 

The idea of shooting smokeless goes back at least two decades. At first the only rifles available were expensive custom models. At the start of the new century the Savage model ML-10 became the first muzzle loading rifle designed to shoot smokeless powder available to the general public. As for other designs certainly none of them are by a major maker of national influence.

 

 

 

 

The move toward a better system is natural. With many hunters restricted to shotgun or muzzle loaders you would expect the muzzle loading rifle to be refined. Currently most rifles use some form of inline ignition. Bullets in sabots were a method to have an advantage over solid lead. Musket caps took it on the chin from the 209 shotgun primers. Even propellants were modified. It seems black powder isn’t always black. So substitutes of BP are considered a superior (and expensive) option.

 

This web site’s purpose is to provide a reservoir of the knowledge and experience learned about smokeless shooting rifles. The Savage as well as a few others.

This rifle is a Savage Model  10. You may notice the cheek piece stock and third receiver screw. Not so noticeable is the custom barrel and hidden ram rod trap.

The Savage is not the only action that could support a smokeless system. The Encore frame is made to shoot the highest pressure modern rifle cartridges. A barrel capable of smokeless pressure would be required. If this rifle looks different it’s because the barrel is half muzzle loader and half  cased round. It was a 45-70 barrel that uses scavenged parts from a spare muzzle loader. The fore end is from the rifle barrel. The sights are off another Encore barrel that has a scope now.

This rifle is a Ruger #1 with a 45 caliber Douglas Barrel. It is quite unique.

 

The picture was proudly provided by Terry Kreibs of Ohio

Note: Often on this site you will see Black Powder abbreviated as BP

Measured

Pressure

Curve

This rifle is a fine example of a dedicated stand gun

The stock is rather heavy but the 25” barrel still points well.

With the fine recoil pad it can spend hours on the bench without hurting the shooter or launch a fast accurate bullet from a deer stand.

Thanks to Chris Champion for the photo of his rifle.

This rifle is made from a Remington single shot frame. First glance might give you the impression this is a bull barreled target rifle. However the massive 45 caliber bore should give away its’ front loader status.