I just bought a used Remington 700ML .50 calibre as my first muzzleloader. While I know that each rifle will have its own load preferences, I was wondering if anyone had advice to give as to what has worked for them.

Also I'd like to use a Nikon Omega BDC scope. It is calibrated based on a 250 grain bullet and a 150 grain charge of Pyrodex. Can I use this load in my rifle, which is not a "magnum" 700ML or am I maxed out at 100 grains? According somethings I've been told, the ML and the magnum version are the same rifle just marketed differently a few years apart. Is the difference a realistic one or a lawyer proof one?

I use 150G. Triple 7 Select, a bore button, & 270G. Powerbelt Platinum bullets. Kicks like hell but, I have killed deer at 200 yards. I purchased mine when first introduced & I can't imagine 2 different models were ever manufactured. I believe Remington simply rated to be with competition. Mine is accurate but, a bear to clean. I just purchased a new break action with removable breech plug that is so much easier to clean. All of that said, in my opinion the 700ML will do everything you need & is a good buy in a used gun. Good luck.

Thanks for the advice and the encouragement.

Chuck

Chuck,
Your talking my language....I have a Rem 700 ML myself and I love it.
I use the 250 grain Barnes backed by 150 grains of Pyrodex behind a CCI #209 primer, getting 2080fps out of a 24" barrel.
(the only difference between the magnum version and the nonmagnum version is barrel length..the non is 24" the mag is 26")
Accuracy is outstanding but cleaning is a pain but well worth it....make sure when you clean it you completely dissassemble the bolt.
I know I've posted this before but to give you an idea......

Tom, that target of yours isn't one that I've seen before but it is exactly why I decided to go with a 700ML. I've been impressed with every 700 I've shot and they are familiar so I thought it would be a good place to start. While I have a lot to learn about muzzleloaders, I hope the shooting of it only requires me to learn a new trajectory since the rifle is so familiar.

The courier should have the ML to me tomorrow so I picked up pyrodex and 250 grain Hornady SSTs to start with. Hopefully that turns out to be a good combination. Mine is apparently set up for percussion caps so I'll have to wait until I get a conversion to start using 209 primers. Will percussion caps properly ignite a 150 grain charge?

Something I was wondering was if anyone bothers to free float the barrels and bed the actions like is so commonly done on Remington 700 centerfires. Based on past experience that's what I'd be inclined to do. At the very least I'll adjust the trigger like I have my Remington 700 .35 Whelen.

Mine did but with a slight hesitation before the charge went off...thats why I went with the #209's, now it goes off like any centerfire will.

Fraser

Don't bother with the Remington 209 conversion, buy the one that Cabelas sells.......I have both and the one from Cabelas is MUCH better!

209 conversion

I've worked with several 700MLs and they all shoot great when you find the load they like.......I'm using 100 grains of FFG triple 7 powder, a black Hornady high pressure sabot and a 250 grain bullet.......sub 1" 3 shot groups are the norm.

I killed this buck on 10/25/2008.......he is one of many that has fallen to my 700 ML........my longest kill so far was 204 yards......

Gonhutin,

Some flat country were you hunt....are you in Texas??

Nice BUCK!!!

Doc

Nope, NW Oklahoma.......and the photo was taken back at camp, not in the hunting area.......our lease has very little flat land, it's mostly sand hills and river bottom, cottonwood cedar and buckbrush....... excellent deer habitat......and wheat fields to the north and west.

I shot the buck about 8:20 opening morning......I hesitated shooting him so early in the season as I know there are bigger bucks on the property.......but, there is currently a 24" natural gas line being installed from one end of the lease to the other and, as you can imagine, the traffic, machinery, noise and commotion have the bigger bucks almost totally nocturnal.......I made the right decision, this was the largest buck I saw all week.......main frame 10 point with a split G2 on the right, 19" wide, decent mass, 152# field dressed.

BTW Fraser,
Thats the #209 conversion that Gonhunting showed that I have too and I'm very happy with it.

It sounds like that's the one I'll get. I wish I had it right now. The only shop in my small town doesn't have percussion caps.

I shot my MZ this weekend and it didnt shoot quite as well as in the pic I posted as there was a little bit of paper in between the holes. but still less than an inch......I'm thinking it was because I took my rifle sights off the gun.
I'm going to do a little more shooting with them off and if it dont get any better I'm going to put the sights back on and see if the groups tighten back up.

I justed asked pac-Nor about rebarreling mine. It shoots great but when the barrel goes I want a fresh tube. I have though about sending it to banser or McMillian for a new handle. Yeah I like it that much. under a half, alot of one holers at 50 under an inch at a 100. It just flattens deer. I shoot 300gr barnesX with 777 2f. I had some slow ignition with the pellets. My buddy had the same troubles. I wished they still made them. Next year I will be on the hunt for one for my son.

I picked this up real cheap. I had one a long time ago and I missed it. I wish I could find the bolt disassembly tool. The scope is a Nikon 2-7X32 in Weaver Quad-Locs. It's very accurate with 80 grains of Pyrodex RS & a 250 grain T/C Cheap Shot.

Swampman, you dont necessarily need the bolt dissassembly tool.
Just take the bolt out of the gun of course and put a 6" long 1/4" diameter dowel in the face of the bolt and push down on a hard surface thus compressing the spring and pushing the rear of the bolt out, then spin the end of the bolt several revolutions until it comes out. sorry about all the technical words but my brain aint really working at the moment but hopefully this will help.

My 700ML as well as three other 700ML that I know of shoot the Barnes 250 EZ expander with 2 Pyro pellets at or under an inch. I have tried that with #11 caps and 209 conversion, same results (I use the Rem 209 conversion, I didn't like the Cabela's version)

Pulverizes deer.

Seems to be a magic combo in the 700ml gun. My 700ML is very picky about what it likes too shoot. But what it likes, it shoots lights out.

Tony

Hey guys,I just picked up Rem 700ML.I need a 209 conversion kit but its no longer available from Cabelas.Does anyone have a source for a setup.Thanks,RS

Gunbroker usually has them listed.

just type is 700ML in the search.

http://armurierlavaltrie.ecrater.com/

Thanks Guys.
RS

25 yards with 80 grains of Pyrodex RS and a .490 PRB.



50 yards with 80 grains of Pyrodex RS and a T/C Cheap Shot.



100 yards with 80 grains of Pyrodex RS and a T/C Cheap Shot.



I think it will do better but 2" at 100 yards with no load development seems ok.

I have a Remington 700 MLS with the Remington 209 conversion. When I shoot, there seems to be a hesitation or lag from when the primer fires to when the powder fires. It is extremely annoying. Is this the norm for this gun, or an I doing something wrong?

I am using 100gr Triple 7 pellets with a 295gr powerbelt bullet. Does anyone have any suggestions?

BW that shouldnt be happening like that, mine fires instantly just like a centerfire.
I dont know about 777 but Pyro pellets have a darker shiny end on them that is supposed to be facing the primer, also is your flash hole clean? I clean mine after every shooting session with a needle and super hot water than hit it with a hairdryer to make sure its dry inside.

Loose the pellets.....Get some loose Goex, Pyrodex, or 777.

If anybody is looking for a Remington 700 ML, Guns Unlimited in Omaha has several of the youth models for $170. GPC has the full-size stock for under $15 and also an assortment of nipples for musket caps and 209 primers for $6 per.

FWIW, Remington claims that the delay in firing with "some" 209 primers is because the primers are actually pushing the whole load forward in the barrel before igniting the pellets. They are recommending musket caps as the primer of choice.

Jeff

As of 02/05/09, Guns Unlimited in Omaha still had a couple of the Remington 700 ML Youth guns in .50 caliber for $169, 402-339-0771.

Gun Parts Corp still has the full sized synthetic stocks for $15.05, part # 953000, at www.gunpartscorp.com.

Jeff

Mine shoots the T/C Cheap Shots & .490 round balls over 80 grains of Pyrodex RS really well.

I found this Remington 700 ML 209 replacement nipple at http://muzzleloadingbullets.com/remington_700ML_209_nipples.html
It also talks about being able to use the Variflame primer adapter with it. Hope this helps.

And tell me why I should do that wiseguy!

The remington 700ml 2009 conversion kit and replacement nipple are here http://www.muzzleloadingbullets.com/remington_700ML_209_conversion_kit.html

I'm glad to hear the good reports about the 700ML. I just bought one off of my dad. He had it for probably 5 years and finally shot it this year. (He has a Savage Smokeless ML he has been playing with instead.) He was getting about 1 1/4" groups over 90g of pellets and a 240g bullet(the brand eludes me right now) at 75 yards. I have an Encore that I am getting rid off. Never could get the rifle to shoot good. I know that it may be easier to clean than the 700, but heck, there ML's and your gonna get dirty now matter what cleaning it.

Dale