Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Muzzleloaders Savage ML-II, who still uses one?

Used them for years safely and yes they got a bad rap because of double loads.

Moved on to custom smokeless guns but the old Savage is still a good deer killer.

By the way I have a friend that has a spare SS MLII in a Richards microfit stock pretty tricked out for 1100.00

Been using one for 20yrs now, never had an issue with them. I use 300gr bullets, mostly SSTs and they really hammer the deer! I’ve used a lot of N120, but more recently Re7 and H4198 to get around 2200fps with the 300s. Randy Wakeman’s site has tons of great info on their care and feeding.

I had one a it shot great. Just Like my simple break action cva better

I used one for about 15 years. Killed my share of whitetail deer and hogs with it. Never had any problems with the gun. always weighed every load, witness mark is important. Mine shot 250gr SST's/black MMP sabot over 52grs of IMR SR 4759 real well with Impressive results on deer.

Slummy you shoot the Savage! I take back all the bad things I said about you.

It is quite a sight to see a 3 inch entrance wound on a lung shot on a deer.

WTB A Savage ML II in stainless steel , laminated thumbhole stock . Let me know if you have one or know the where abouts of one . Thanks

Im way late to this thread, but I bought my 10MLII in 2001 I think. First one anybody around here had ever seen. I got my loads straight from Mr. Ball himself. Start at 42 gr xmp 5744, 250gr xtp, MMP balck sabot. work up until the petals on the sabot are 90 degrees to the base. For me, I topped out at 47 grs before losing petals. It puts holes in holes at 100 yards. EVERYBODY that's ever used mine has ended up buying one!

I’ve had one for a few years , it would be the last rifle I’d sell .

I've had a few, still have 2. Load 4759 and 300 grain SSTs in both. Both stainless laminates, non thumbhole but had one of those too. Found it clumsy to carry in the hands so sold it.

I wanted to try the Savage ML-II, and I bought a used one that had a .45 McGowen stainless barrel on it. Bought it here in the classifieds, and when I got it, found the barrel had a bulge in it about 5 inches from the breech. Supposedly had only been fired 32 times. Sent the rifle back and I'm hoping the seller is honest and refunds my money. I don't know what happened there but probably a double charge or maybe just too much or the wrong powder. That McGowen barrel is quite beefy so it had to have taken tremendous pressure to bulge it as much as it was.

Same load I use out of my ML 1. Hate they stopped making 4759 but i have a good supply.....

I wish I’d kept mine