Savage Loads-Please list your best loads.

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So far I have only shot AA 5744. I find it plenty accurate pushing 250 Gr. XTP and SST. Both printed the same and 43 grains is my pet load. I am satisfied that it is good enough for the hunting I do.
 
After a little stroking of the bedding by the master (Henry Ball) I find that his original loading'

45 grains AA 5744 (weighed)
Winchester 209 primer
Short black MMP sabot
300 grain Hornady XTP HP

Will cut a three leaf cover group with all holes touching at 100 yards. Likewise sighted in three inches high at 100 yards a paper plate (or a deer's chest) is not safe anywhere within 250 yards.


Actually I have found more variation in groups from varying pressure seating the bullet than from powder weight or primer type. I practiced using a bathroom scale under the rifle butt until I learned the feel of the pressure that worked consistently.
Also I try to make sure each petal of the sabot is centered on one of the rifling lands as it enters the barrel.
I use an old kitchen timer to make sure I do not reload until at least 5 minutes has past. However since I shoot other firearms between ML II loads it can often be 10 minutes or more between shots.

I clean my barrel after each range trip, scrubbing until I get white patches out. However I sight in just before hunting season and do not clean the barrel until the season is over. It seems to be the best way to get consistant performance.
 
68gr of 4198, 250 gr Bonded Shockwaves with MMP short sabots give me around 1" groups at 100 yards.
 
Another group that is right under MOA is 66gn IMR 4198, 300gn .452 Speer Gold Dot, Harvester short black sabot...
 
I'm just getting started, but so far

300g xtp
hph12
43g 4759
win primer
consistent under 1" with no wind right at 3/4"
 
Same load and results as Hossdaniels except I use Harvester short black sabots.

I just love this smokeless!!!!!
 
300 gr Barnes Original Semi Spitzer
Federal 209 primer
Harvester Crush Rib Sabot
Vegetable wad
12 grains 4759/53 grains Alliant 10x
MV 2375
5" or less groups at 250 yards

Yeah I know your not supposed to use duplex with 300 grain projectiles but it works for me :lol:
 
I got a new one. I just shot my best group ever with 62.5g of reloader 7, black crush rib, and 300g modified remington(smokeeter).
4 shots under 3/8" at 102 yds :D

My 270 wont even do twice that!
 
67g H4198
300 gr Barnes Original Semi Spitzer
Harvester Black Crush Rib Sabot
Fed209A Primer
MV=2400 fps

In cool weather this load shoots .75 to 1.25 MOA out to 250 yds.
 
Well, I'm kind o f new here, but getting older on the Savage board :lol:
A load that I have worked up and is shooting very consistently, while a bit hard on the shoulder, (particurlarly with a light weight gun) is the following:
10 gr. of 5744 under 60 gr. of H-4198. It consistently gives me 2460 fps with a 300 gr. bullet and sabot which measures .508 - .509". In my last string of seven shots it had three of those shots at 2461 with an Extreme Spread of only 7 fps. My Savage SS thumbhole weights in at just shy of 12 lbs with lead shot filling the ramrod channel and a mercury recoil reducer in the butt. Weather was around 50* and I use a "cool rod" inbetween shots. Then one patch with four drops of Re. bore cleaner in and out and one dry patch in and out. Two hands are necessary to seat this load. I shoot Rem. .458's which I have pointed up along with XTP's which I have formed a epoxy tip and trimmed in my lathe.
Richard
 
I'm back after a long break. Nursing school and extenuating circumstances had me sell off pretty much all my hunting gear to make ends meet. Now, I'm back in the game. I now have a stainless/laminate ML-II. My best load so far is 250grain bonded shockwaves w/ MMP 12 sabots, and 43grains of 4759.

target.jpg
 
jims said:
If that is at 100 yards that is fine shooting.

Thank you and yes, the group was shot at 100yds. Should of said that in the first place :oops:. Group size measuring center to center .865-.451= .414". Works for me :D
 
That same combo except SSTs shot well for me also.
 
RE-7

65 grains of Reloader 7 250 grain .451 flex tip with sub base and MMP sabot consistent 1" both with jacketed and precision 250 lead bullets. Really a fine group Jims I am going to give that combination a try. Pro
 
42.5 grains of AA5744 with a 250 grain hornady XTP sabbot has given me best results. I still want to spend more time at the range tinkering with other loads and bullet weights but so far this has been the best combo I've found. I can usually shoot 3 shots at 100yds either at or just under 1inch w/my savage 10mlII scoped w/a burris 3-9x40mm scope. For some reason it did far worse with the 240grain hornady XTP sabbots and didn't seem to like the 300 grain sabbots all that much either.
 
Powder: VV N120 59grn
Bullet: Barnes Original .458 45/70 300gr Semispitzer
Sabot: Harvestor Black Crush Rib
Primer: Fed 209A

Savage Stainless....sub MOA @ 200 +
 
This is from a well bedded 10ML2/40 PN, RB plug/209. 7/70 VV110/Varget. 225 AccuMax sized medium tight. 100 yards but with gusty winds of 8g15 according to wx out of an airport <10 miles away. 2950’/sec.

020-C46-A6-AEE4-49-D2-B9-EE-2-F324734-D46-D.jpg
 
My absolute favorite load for a 45/209 is 37g VV110 and lightly knurled 200SST or 195B in a HLBS with a wool wad. Generally 1/2” - 1” @ 100 yd 3-shot groups. Appx 2530’/sec, very clean and <50‘/sec variance from 10-80 F.
 
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