With so many choices in components, it's nice to know that you can't go wrong with Hornady's .45 caliber XTP or XTP MAG. I'm told Hornady makes T/C's PTX polymer tip, which is in it's favor. You can view a bigger picture of the cross sections, and find out more on the page called "a look at the bullets."
One-Shot Says: "As you can tell I like the Hornady .452 250gr and 300gr XTP's. I have tried many bullets over the years, but these two have been the very best performers by far..."
Lonnie at Hornady Says: "The Hornady .45 cal. .452" dia. HP/XTP-MAG bullets can easily handle the velocities that you are obtaining with your Savage M-10 ML II muzzle loading rifles. The HP/XTP-MAG bullets have a heavier base jacket than the standard HP/XTP bullets. These bullets hold together better and keep the bullet from fragmenting compared to the standard HP/XTP bullets at high velocities."
Hornady 300 grain XTP #45230. The 300 grain XTP is rated for velocities from 750 feet per second to 1700 f.p.s. Reports from the field have not indicated any problems at all with this bullet on whitetails, even well over 2000 fps. Reports indicate the XTP has marginally better accuracy than the XTP Mag. Hornady 300 grain XTP MAG #45235. The 300 grain XTP Mag is of heavier construction for higher velocities. Email from Hornady (thanks Lonnie!) indicates a minimum velocity of 1000 fps. The ballistic coefficient for the .45 cal. 300 gr. at 2200 fps velocity would be approximately 0.230.
Hornady 250 grain XTP #45200 The 250 grain XTP is rated for velocities from 750 feet per second to 1550 f.p.s. Muzzle velocities can easily excede 2000 fps. For hunting, the 240 XTP MAG may be a better choice for the Savage. But nothing is certain- the 250 XTP is reputed to have marginally better accuracy and for those long range shots.
Hornady 240 grain XTP MAG #45220 The XTP Mag is of heavier construction for the higher velocities we work at. This is a very good hunting bullet with plenty of power for whitetails. Email from Hornady (thanks Lonnie!) indicates a minimum velocity of 1100 fps. The ballistic coefficient for the .45 cal. 240 gr. at 2300 fps velocity would be approximately 0.182.
Leved Cartridge .452" 175 grain DEVEL , 175 grains weight, supplied with MMP 50-caliber sabots. The Devel contains no lead, it is a composite of tin and copper. The bullet does not expand. Accuracy is unquestioned, suitability for all game animals is a topic of debate. The Devel costs more than $1 per bullet in retail quantities.
Leved Cartridge, Ltd.http://www.levedcartridgeltd.com/ P.O. Box 21 Georgetown, TX 78627-0021 Telephone: 512-863-4387 Fax: 512-863-0758 E-mail: [email protected]
Mobetter Says: "I would suggest getting some of the Devel bullets. These things are simply amazing, no bone jarring shots. Accuracy that is next to none. I have worked out a couple of pet loads. Use a 175gr DEVEL, ahead of 45gr of N110, Vihtavuori. Cloverleaf shots. Once you put a chrony in front of it you will be shocked at the speed obtained. Around 2693fps...and we won't even talk about FPE (muzzle energy) I have found that the cheddite 209 primers are optimal for this setup... Also I found that 47.5 gr of H-4227 behind the Devel Bullet will be a bit slower 2400fps but that'll knock the snot out of most big game under approx 200 yds. 2" drop at 175 yds (sighted in at 100yds Dead on.)
One-Shot Says: " I took a couple more deer with the Devels, but I switched to center of shoulder shots, which ruin some meat on the shoulders, but the deer dropped in their tracks. On larger boned game like big wild boars and bear, the Devels gave excellent penetration, good hydrostatic shock to tissue and organs, and was able to break major bones. However it is not my first choice for smaller boned deer. It usually is in and out, seemingly before it has a chance to deliver any shock affect... The sceneroi you discribed is why I primarily use the the 250gr and 300gr XTP's for whitetails. They expand devastatingly on deer... The key with the Devel is penetration and bone breaking."
Under construction- other bullets
250 grain Thompson Center PTX.
250 grain Barnes Expander MZ
225 grain Speer
15133: TC Power Belts in ML10-II Yet? 12/04/01-9:59 AM Posted by: 1SHOT-1KILL I have shot the 50 cal 295gr Black Belt and CVA Power Belts in the 10ML-II. Using the standard that anything 2" or better at 100yds would be acceptable, I found that 38-41 grains of XMP-5744 and 42-44 grains of IMR-4227, met these standards. I did not run any of these loads across the chronograph, as I was trying to find loads that a friend could use in his 10ML on a elk hunt to CO this past September. I would gues that these loads are in the 1,750-1,950 fps range.
14786: Savage ML10-II bullet weights, how light can you get? 11/18/01-4:58 PM Posted by: grizzbair from Hunters.com try these bullets a 180 or 200 grain should be fine for deer size game.
www.prbullet.com http://www.prbullet.com
11/05/01-12:26 PM Posted by: thunder
Another very accurate load was 44gr 5744 and a 300gr Hornady .458 HP for the 45-70. Knight has the .458 sabot and they are orange colored. Have the same stepped bottom as the Hornadys. Didn't have a chance to chrono them, but guessing they were in the 1900-1950 range. Didn't get a chance to try the Lilgun with this combo.
14603: Been Shooting my Savage ML10-II 11/04/01-10:03 PM Posted by: bigeast Successful day at the range today with my Savage MLII. I finally found the right bullet powder combination for deer season. I was shooting consistent 1 1/2 groups at 100yrd by the end of the day. The weather conditions at the range were 60 degrees with a light cross wind.
I was using .45 QT Polymer tip 330 gr. sabot bullets by Precision Rifle. The bullets come with the magnum MMP sabots. For powder I was using 34.5 gr. of Alliant 2400 pistol powder.
I've tried lighter bullets, but the quick twist rate of rifling seems to like the heavier bullets.