Smokeless muzzleloader (SML)
03-09-2024, 06:07 AM
#1
Boone & Crockett
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Eastern PA
Posts: 12,764
Smokeless muzzleloader (SML)
On another site I was reading a lot about SMLs and I thought I'd give it a shot! One of the cheapest ways to go was to have a .45-70 CVA Scout converted by reaming out the chamber area and threading it for a smokeless capable breech plug..I had mine done by Hankins Precision Rifles for $400. But before I jump ahead I had purchased the Scout in .45-70 and thought I'd check the accuracy before I sent it out. Being that I had a few other .45-70s I had plenty of ammo. No matter what I shot downrange they all shot MOA or better. I thought to myself, no way am I getting this rifle converted because it shoots too good. So I went and purchased another identical Scout and immediately sent the barrel out for the conversion. Once back, in a matter of two weeks, I had it out to the range after putting primers in the modules. Amazing! This rifle shoots every 250 - 300 gr bullet I tried out of it under MOA and at velocities up in the 2200-2400 fps with 55 gr of H4198. And the muzzle brake on it makes the recoil feel like shooting a .243 even though the rifle is fairly light weight. I know this isn't traditional muzzleloading but its just another advancement in its evolution. Believe me I still enjoy making white smoke from my inlines and traditionals. This is just another toy.
Left target below was shot with 250 gr SSTs and 300 gr Smackdowns. The right target was shot with 300 gr SSTs. All shots were with 55 gr of H4198 at 100 uds.
Now please don't go dumping smokeless powder in you CVA Apex or Optima, Wolf or Accura. It will blow up. This was a .45-70 barrel designed for shooting smokeless that was modified to accept a breech plug.
Left target below was shot with 250 gr SSTs and 300 gr Smackdowns. The right target was shot with 300 gr SSTs. All shots were with 55 gr of H4198 at 100 uds.
Now please don't go dumping smokeless powder in you CVA Apex or Optima, Wolf or Accura. It will blow up. This was a .45-70 barrel designed for shooting smokeless that was modified to accept a breech plug.
Last edited by bronko22000; 03-09-2024 at 07:15 AM. Reason: add pics
06-07-2024, 04:34 PM
#2
Fork Horn
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 198
Not sure how I missed this thread. Congrats on the conversion, my two 45-70 Apex conversions are some of my favorite muzzleloaders to shoot. Nice shooting! You should try 60 grs of IMR4198, it may tighten things up even more, very accurate for me with a knurled Barnes 250 gr TEZ and a wad.
06-08-2024, 02:36 PM
#4
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Apr 2017
Posts: 1,338
I am and most of the people I consulted when I took over the build of my SML when my dad passed do as well. Something about pressure consistencies being a bit better with quality full bore bullets as well as full bore tend to be a good bit more accurate. Smokeless also heats up the barrel much more than BP and most subs and if you know anything about sabots then you know heat is a serious enemy to them. I've been shooting front stuffers since I was knee high to a grasshopper. Just really started getting into this SML game when Dad died and I have to admit it is a fun game to get into! Going this year to do what the old man actually intended for this rifle to be used on. Yukon Moose.
06-08-2024, 02:38 PM
#5
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Apr 2017
Posts: 1,338
On another site I was reading a lot about SMLs and I thought I'd give it a shot! One of the cheapest ways to go was to have a .45-70 CVA Scout converted by reaming out the chamber area and threading it for a smokeless capable breech plug..I had mine done by Hankins Precision Rifles for $400. But before I jump ahead I had purchased the Scout in .45-70 and thought I'd check the accuracy before I sent it out. Being that I had a few other .45-70s I had plenty of ammo. No matter what I shot downrange they all shot MOA or better. I thought to myself, no way am I getting this rifle converted because it shoots too good. So I went and purchased another identical Scout and immediately sent the barrel out for the conversion. Once back, in a matter of two weeks, I had it out to the range after putting primers in the modules. Amazing! This rifle shoots every 250 - 300 gr bullet I tried out of it under MOA and at velocities up in the 2200-2400 fps with 55 gr of H4198. And the muzzle brake on it makes the recoil feel like shooting a .243 even though the rifle is fairly light weight. I know this isn't traditional muzzleloading but its just another advancement in its evolution. Believe me I still enjoy making white smoke from my inlines and traditionals. This is just another toy.
Left target below was shot with 250 gr SSTs and 300 gr Smackdowns. The right target was shot with 300 gr SSTs. All shots were with 55 gr of H4198 at 100 uds.
Now please don't go dumping smokeless powder in you CVA Apex or Optima, Wolf or Accura. It will blow up. This was a .45-70 barrel designed for shooting smokeless that was modified to accept a breech plug.
Left target below was shot with 250 gr SSTs and 300 gr Smackdowns. The right target was shot with 300 gr SSTs. All shots were with 55 gr of H4198 at 100 uds.
Now please don't go dumping smokeless powder in you CVA Apex or Optima, Wolf or Accura. It will blow up. This was a .45-70 barrel designed for shooting smokeless that was modified to accept a breech plug.
06-08-2024, 09:22 PM
#6
Boone & Crockett
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Eastern PA
Posts: 12,764
06-30-2024, 02:20 PM
#7
Boone & Crockett
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Eastern PA
Posts: 12,764
Not sure how I missed this thread. Congrats on the conversion, my two 45-70 Apex conversions are some of my favorite muzzleloaders to shoot. Nice shooting! You should try 60 grs of IMR4198, it may tighten things up even more, very accurate for me with a knurled Barnes 250 gr TEZ and a wad.
07-13-2024, 02:18 PM
#8
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Apr 2017
Posts: 1,338
Mr. B, have you slugged that barrel to see what the true diameter is? Since it started life as a .45/70 barrel then it SHOULD be around (groove): .458 and (land); ,452 . If I remember correctly those 295 TEZ's are .451 correct?
08-03-2024, 05:39 AM
#9
Boone & Crockett
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Eastern PA
Posts: 12,764
You're correct. The TEZs fall down the barrel. I could probably get them to shoot if I knurled them but that's too much trouble. I didn't slug my bore but I have an adjustable sizing die and I just keep running a bullet thru the die after minor adjustment until I can start it down the bore.
I'm new to this smokeless game and I just found out that you need to size on a fouled bore otherwise after you start shooting they will become too tight to get down if sized on a clean bore. That's another good thing about smokeless, you can go out a day or two before the season and shoot to verify your POI and leave the barrel fouled for hunting and you can leave it that way all season an not worry about corrosion. Also, when sizing bullets I found that you have to run bullets thru the sizing die several times to prevent them from bouncing back (elasticity). Hornady SSTs and FTXs go thru the die 5x.