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

I purchased a Savage ML-II from a LGS several years ago. Chrome-moly with a camo stock. I never got around to using it. Then all the reports of failures came out and I put it in the back of my safe and never got around to using it again.

Now have access to a large parcel of private land for deer hunting but owner only allows archery, shot-gun and muzzle loaders. My interest in using a MZ has perked up a little. I've reviewed the manual that came with the MZ, the Savage web site and the net.

What is the general consensus - safe or not not safe to use? There is so much info on the net and bounces between the extremes -- best ever MZ to ticking time bomb!

I have 10 oz of Blackhorn, 1 lb of 5744, plenty of Accurate 2015. Also have some Barnes 240's, MMP black sabot's and 100 primers.

Please, share your experiences with the ML-II and any recommendations. All the bad press can make a person uneasy about trying one out!

Thanks for your help!

I have a couple (MLI & II) and don't have any reservations about using them, but then I don't hot rod them. I use moderate charges of 5744 and haven't had an issue.

Use the BH-209 or other black powder subs and you'll be fine. Way lower pressure than that of the smokeless variety.

Or you can sell it here for the $1000 they usually bring, buy a $300 traditions and go hunting.

Todd

I had a stainless, used 5744, super accurate with Barnes bullets. They have blown up because of double charging. Make sure you have a witness mark on rod so you know it’s not double charged with powder or two bullets. Be careful, double check, weigh each charge of powder. There is a guy in classifieds that sells vials for weighed charges. I kinda wish I’d kept mine but wasn’t using it. I had a Leupold muzzleloader scope on it.

i had a stainless camo that never ended up getting shot sold this spring 1500 but me and a friend shoot his blued a decent amount he shot several deer with i have no fear of shooting with smokeless powder i believe we use vihtavuori N110 very accurate

I have one in stainless with laminate stock. I still use it. 44 gr of 5744 with a 250 or 300 gr XTP or SST. I don't deviate from book loads.

I have a blued/laminate Savage 10ML-II that I used in Colorado but per their regulations I fed it conicals and 777 and BH209.

I'm sure it'd be fine with sabots but I never saw the need to go smokeless.

I might have to test it out on the local whitetail...

I have a stainless synthetic. Used 5744 and saboted bullets. Weighed every charge and put them in clear vials. No issues. Good gun,haven't used it in a few years. Really a safe queen now. Our muzzle loading season is so short that it is not worth the effort.

But I think it's one of the best muzzleloaders ever made.

Thanks for all the input...seems like a "trust but verify" deal. The MZL should be fine if I pay attention to the details.

They're bull stout and work well with specified smokless or BP loads. And they're accurate, probably one of the best production ML's out there, IMO.

With our local primitive season, I use a ctg. gun, am not using my SS, laminated ML-II.

I have a bunch of bullets, accessories, rings, etc.

Send me a PM if interested and I'll put together an inventory of stuff, make someone a good package deal.

DF

i hunted with a group of 6 guys who used them for years because the landowner would not let us use high power rifles...never had an issue and probably shot 150 deer with them

Which book loads because they changed over the years. N110 for example is no longer listed for use with a 300gr bullet. Now N120 and LT-32 are listed. Neither of which will be in any manual that came with a rifle. 4227 as another example was listed in early manuals but its a very temperamental powder to use. Many people had fail to fire issues with it so Savage dropped it.
https://randywakeman.com/SAVAGE10MLNEWLOADDATA2018.htm

I can tell you right off the bat the NEW book load data even has some errors. N120 is a "hotter" powder than Reloder7. You can easily and safely use 63-65gr of Reloder7 with a 300gr bullet but its a bad choice for a 250gr bullet. You dont see N120 listed for a 250gr.

I’ve had mine 15 years with absolutely no issues .

The Randy Wakeman link that was provided is the go - to authority on the ML-II . Nobody has done more to promote , indorse and encourage Savage smokeless muzzle loading than Randy , well besides Henry Ball and Ron Coburn .

Smokeless : it’s everywhere you want to be .

5744 is the best all around powder in the ML-II for 250 – 300 grainers and is probably the most accurate in my experience …. 3 shot clover leafs @ 100 ( benched ) .

VV N110 for 240 / 250 grainers with increased velocity over 5744 .

VV N120 for the 300 grainers with increased velocity over 5744 .

Also , MMP sabots is the best I've used .

I personally believe all those stories of kabooms were due to loading errors … Not everyone should be reloading .

Also , strictly adhere to primer specifications …. If the data states a Winchester 209 , use it .

If the data states Federal 209 , use it .

I never saw the need to hot-rod the Savage ML-2 …. If I need more horsepower , I’ll use my 458 Win Mag . ... 300 grainers @ 2,000 fps is plenty enough .

Book loads meaning the load data mentioned in my manual when I purchased it and more specifically the load I mentioned above. I've always stuck with 5744. It does everything I need to in a muzzleloader. 5744 isn't picky, easy to find and and fires every time.

I also use 5744 in my 458 Win Mag and my 500 Smith & Wesson revolver ...

Great powder .

I have shot 3 deer with mine using N110. Very accurate and a great deer killer. This rifle got a bad reputation because people were misusing it.

I have been killing deer every year with mine for the last 15 years or so... never the first problem... they are very safe if you follow approved loads... Yes there have been some blow up from people shooting duplex loads (more than 1 type of powder) and trying to hotrod them... do not be stupid and you will not have a problem.

1 day I will own an ML-II. SWJ, enjoy it!

I use N110 with a 240-300g bullet, shot 2 deer in a river bottom 267 steps, not sure I can do that now lol

I'm still liking mine.

AA-5744, MMP orange or black crush rib sabot, and a 300 grain .458 bullet...