Smokeless Muzzleloader Build

[mwwoodman]

What would work best with a .40 caliber barrel? Saboted bullets or full bore?

Definitely no sabots. I do them with a cut rifled 1-15 twist.

 

[mwwoodman]

This is my method of headspacing bolt muzzleloaders without using a nut system. You can keep the shank at 1.25" diameter. A fixed length module plug is used which has a short carbide bushing in the rear.
We do this on Paramount conversions and Rem 700/Defiance Outcast and clones. There is a concealed shim ring which we make in a handful of size increments, seen in red. Nominal ring thickness is 1mm (.039) so it gives quite a bit of room in and out. We make .003, .004, .005, .031 and .039 rings which give plenty of flexibility to set head space and time fluting with zero gunsmithing or custom machining required.

 

[Robert23430]

This is my method of headspacing bolt muzzleloaders without using a nut system. You can keep the shank at 1.25" diameter. A fixed length module plug is used which has a short carbide bushing in the rear.
We do this on Paramount conversions and Rem 700/Defiance Outcast and clones. There is a concealed shim ring which we make in a handful of size increments, seen in red. Nominal ring thickness is 1mm (.039) so it gives quite a bit of room in and out. We make .003, .004, .005, .031 and .039 rings which give plenty of flexibility to set head space and time fluting with zero gunsmithing or custom machining required.

Would that work with my small shank savage 7mm-08 donor?

 

[mwwoodman]

Would that work with my small shank savage 7mm-08 donor?

What is the barrel thread on that? What is the receiver diameter?

 

[michiganmuzzy]

This is my method of headspacing bolt muzzleloaders without using a nut system. You can keep the shank at 1.25" diameter. A fixed length module plug is used which has a short carbide bushing in the rear.
We do this on Paramount conversions and Rem 700/Defiance Outcast and clones. There is a concealed shim ring which we make in a handful of size increments, seen in red. Nominal ring thickness is 1mm (.039) so it gives quite a bit of room in and out. We make .003, .004, .005, .031 and .039 rings which give plenty of flexibility to set head space and time fluting with zero gunsmithing or custom machining required.

Are you making/selling prefit barrels? I have a Howa 1500 in need of a .40 sml barrel.

 

[GM54-120]

What is the barrel thread on that? What is the receiver diameter?

Small shank is 1.055" x 20tpi

 

[Robert23430]

Definitely no sabots. I do them with a cut rifled 1-15 twist.

Thanks

What is the barrel thread on that? What is the receiver diameter?

I’m traveling now. I’ll check the receiver diameter when I get back home next week.

My Savage Axis II XP has the small shank. Strictly from what I have read online the small shank threads are 1-1/16" x 20 TPI. https://patriotvalleyarms.com/barrel-nut-for-savage-remage-barrels/

 

[mwwoodman]

Are you making/selling prefit barrels? I have a Howa 1500 in need of a .40 sml barrel.

Only prefit for ones listed, Paramount and Rem 700/clones.

 

[bronko220002]

If you can hunt with a .40 cal, that is my first choice. Some of the nicest shooting rifles I've built are 40 cals. The action is not necessarily where safety factor comes in, it is the barrel shank and breech plug.
To shoot under 300 yards from a treestand, a bolt gun is probably way over kill. If you were going to build a bolt gun, a Defiance Outcast is the way to go. You could get a new Brux barreled action for about $2000. Stocks and triggers are everywhere and you can always upgrade these down the road easily.

Yup.
The 40's have done to the 45's, what the 45's did to the 50's.
In competition, the 40's are ruling now.
All the custom bullet builders are making 40cal bullets.
I'd suggest a FAST twist also if the OP goes 40cal.

Gentlemen that may be true but you have to look at the regs. My home state of PA does not allow use of a muzzleloader under .44 caliber. So in my mind why would you not get a .45 and you could still use .40 cal bullets in a sabot or shoot bullet to bore. And the .45 has many more bullet options.

 

[ENCORE50A]

Gentlemen that may be true but you have to look at the regs. My home state of PA does not allow use of a muzzleloader under .44 caliber. So in my mind why would you not get a .45 and you could still use .40 cal bullets in a sabot or shoot bullet to bore. And the .45 has many more bullet options.

Yes that's true for those states that have special restrictions.
However, if you DO NOT live in one of those states and are not limited, the 40's rule.
Every custom bullet builder is making 40cal bullets.
I assure you, if I were to build another rifle, it would be a FAST twist 40cal.

 

[Robert23430]

Yes that's true for those states that have special restrictions.
However, if you DO NOT live in one of those states and are not limited, the 40's rule.
Every custom bullet builder is making 40cal bullets.
I assure you, if I were to build another rifle, it would be a FAST twist 40cal.

Yes and as I stated earlier Virginia allows you to use a 40 caliber or larger muzzleloader rifle with projectiles 35 caliber or up. Anyone that needs to know for there state should check directly on there states game department website. Several sources for all states have not been kept up to date.

 

[bronko220002]

You guys are right. Although the .40 doesn't have the variety of projectiles it certainly has enough good ones to give you a great hunting and target rifle.
As for me, although the 40 intrigues me, I wouldn't want to invest that much green to shoot targets.
A lot of these muzzleloader hunting laws IMO are being made by those ignorant of a muzzleloaders capability and also by input from traditional muzzleloader shooters. Its really a shame that in my case I cannot even use a muzzleloader less than .44 cal even during regular season. I know a smokeless .40 would blow the doors off a cartridge like a 30-30.

 

[45-70]

I'd buy from Arrowhead and be done with it.

The 40's shooting smokeless can take some work getting it right but, when you do......... WOW.
The top shooters in the country are switching over and using 40's. We shoot at Camp Atterbury at 1,000yds and CAN NOT use smokeless propellants. Everyone used BH but, those 40's are putting the hurt on we with 45's.

Good luck.

they haven't beat me , yet maybe this spring or Fall

 

[ENCORE50A]

they haven't beat me , yet maybe this spring or Fall

LOL................... They whopped up on us 45's last fall. Took honors at Friendship last fall too.
I'm to damn old to build another rifle. Besides, I have a fortune wrapped up in 45cal bullets.

 

[Robert23430]

Original poster here. Thanks for everyone's recommendations and suggestions. I read all that I could on this website and others, as well as communicating with several knowledgeable folks. I decided on my smokeless muzzleloader build and my gun will be built soon. I went with the following:

Pure Precision Summit muzzleloader action
Bartlein 40 caliber 1-15" modified sendero barrel with 1.25 x 5" shank, 26" finished length with threaded muzzle and brake
Hankins Ignition System
Pure Precision ADL Altitude Stock, in Alpine color, inletted for ramrod, and glass bedded
Aluminum trigger guard
Triggertech Remington 700 Special trigger, set at 2-1/4 pounds
Leupold VX-6HD 3-18x44 illuminated TMOA riflescope
Nightforce XTRM Ultralite 30mm 6-screw low rings

I will be using Pittman 40 caliber 250 grain bullets, Federal large rifle magnum match primers and IMR 4198 powder, if I can find the powder.

Thanks again for all of the suggestions and help. Your guidance is greatly appreciated.

 

[Ninering62]

Original poster here. Thanks for everyone's recommendations and suggestions. I read all that I could on this website and others, as well as communicating with several knowledgeable folks. I decided on my smokeless muzzleloader build and my gun will be built soon. I went with the following:

Pure Precision Summit muzzleloader action
Bartlein 40 caliber 1-15" modified sendero barrel with 1.25 x 5" shank, 26" finished length with threaded muzzle and break
Hankins Ignition System
Pure Precision ADL Altitude Stock, in Alpine color, inletted for ramrod, and glass bedded
Aluminum trigger guard
Triggertech Remington 700 Special trigger, set at 2-1/4 pounds
Leupold VX-6HD 3-18x44 illuminated TMOA riflescope
Nightforce XTRM Ultralite 30mm 6-screw low rings

I will be using Pittman 40 caliber 250 grain bullets, Federal large rifle magnum match primers and IMR 4198 powder, if I can find the powder.

Thanks again for all of the suggestions and help. Your guidance is greatly appreciated.

Thats a very nice build. Be sure to share pics & targets when its done.
I had an Omega built with a Brux .40 1:14. I am only using 200g, 225g, & 240g bullets. Nothing heavier, but I''m pushing the MV pretty good. You'll be able to crank out those 250g Pittmans really fast.

 

[Robert23430]

Thats a very nice build. Be sure to share pics & targets when its done.
I had an Omega built with a Brux .40 1:14. I am only using 200g, 225g, & 240g bullets. Nothing heavier, but I''m pushing the MV pretty good. You'll be able to crank out those 250g Pittmans really fast.

I will send pictures of the build and targets when its done. I am looking for 2700 - 2800 FPS with the 250 grain Pittmans.

 

[Kmac]

Sounds like a great build! I am also waiting for a call saying my barreled action is ready. And i got a Pure Precision stock also. Almost went with the PP Summit action too but decided on a Paramount instead. Cant wait to see your pictures. No idea where you are but saw a shelf of imr 4198 in a shop in northern VT.

 

[Robert23430]

Sounds like a great build! I am also waiting for a call saying my barreled action is ready. And i got a Pure Precision stock also. Almost went with the PP Summit action too but decided on a Paramount instead. Cant wait to see your pictures. No idea where you are but saw a shelf of imr 4198 in a shop in northern VT.

I'm in SE Virginia. I haven't been able to locate any IMR 4198.

The Paramount should make a great build also. Are you getting the barreled action with a CVA Paramount barrel? Will you be using smokeless? The CVA Paramounts are very nice looking muzzleloaders.

 

[Dwayne]

One other thing.....

It may be legal to use 40 cal in some states, but when you go to sell your gun,
move to another state, or pass the gun down the line to someone in another
state, it could be worthless for black powder season.

this is the number one reason why I shoot a minimum of 50cal. It is almost
legal in all states. You can shoot Sabots if you want in some states. Sometimes
a PRB or a conical is your only legal ammo in some states.

Colorado is a picky state. No sabots, 50 cal for deer and 54? for elk. (Can't remember
exactly.). No scopes, iron sights only. Thus, if I purchase a ML, I will be looking for
something that is legal in my state at LEAST. At the same time, there is an extremely
good chance it will be legal in most all states too. This also includes black powder ONLY,
Substitutes like Pyrodex are allowed.

We all have different prerequisites that we want met when we purchase a gun. If you do
not care what happens when you move out of state, purchase what you like the most.
If you are going to move out of state sometime in the future, nothing like a gun you can
only shoot on the target range when you want to go hunting.