Savage Model 10ML-II Smokeless-Capable Muzzleloading Rifle

The Savage 10ML-II has a few quirks, which the shooter should understand.

The factory-provided breech plug wrench requires bolt removal. This entails loosening the rear action screw, which is not a great idea as far as accuracy. I didn't have a problem working up an accurate hunting load, but folks who don't want to remove the bolt may wish to buy an aftermarket tool to pull the plug without removing the bolt.

It's recommended that the breech plug be periodically loosened and re-tightened during a shooting session. Prolonged shooting will cause it to become tighter in its threads, so breaking it loose after 10-15 shots is a good idea. This is true of other inline muzzleloaders with threaded breech plugs.

There is a thing called a vent liner, which screws into the front of the breech plug. This is replaceable, and it's a good idea to break this loose and re-snug it when you do so to the breech plug.

The liner's flash hole will erode somewhat after prolonged shooting, so keep your eye on it and replace as necessary. This is only a problem when you're firing many rounds through the gun - for general hunting use, a vent liner will last for many years.

Threads for both should be lubed with good non-seize grease.

The Savage model 10ML-II muzzleloading rifle is a great gun. Like any gun, it should not be pushed to extremes. When you read outlandish claims of super-high velocity and very hot loads used in this rifle, do not assume that those loads are safe.

Unlike a centerfire rifle, this gun does not use a brass case which could easily reveal signs of dangerously high pressure. Therefore, it would be very easy to exceed safe pressure limits without realizing it. Use only safe, tested loads in your Savage rifle - make that ANY rifle.

If you choose to shoot black powder or substitutes, this gun will do it very well, and at a lower cost than competing rifles. But if you wish to - and if local wildlife regulations allow you to - you can safely shoot smokeless powder loads in the Savage 10ML-II. The versatility of this rifle is unsurpassed, and largely unappreciated.

I will be carrying my Savage front-loader this muzzleloader season, and probably for many seasons after that. My rifle is scoped, but if I have to remove the scope to comply with archaic regulations in another state, I will use the good fiber-optic open sights and will load it with black powder if I need to.

The Savage 10ML-II is a very good rifle, and I plan to give it a lot of use.

- Russ Chastain