Accurate 2015, a Savage 10ML-II, & the Parker 300 grain Match Hunter
It's always nice to start the day with rainbow. Illinois weather is what we call "variable." Though it quickly cleared up in the morning, the rain returned when I finally made it down south to the range, near the end of the day. This has nothing to do with much of anything, other than I like rainbows . . . double rainbows being the best.
Accurate 2015 is a single base, short cut extruded powder that offers comparatively low pressures for a given velocity compared to my most often used Savage 10ML-II propellant, Accurate 5744. Bob Parker has shot some some sub 7/8 in. groups with another of my favorite propellants, Vihtavuori N120, that has been mentioned in numerous articles. 57 – 60 grains of N120 has done well with saboted 300 grain bullets out of the Savage 10ML-II, but N120 isn't the most readily available powder out there . . . though you can get it direct from Jeannie Bolda at Kaltron, also mentioned in several articles.
Above, one of Bob Parker's N120 / Savage 10ML-II 100 yard groups with the 300 grain Parker Match Hunter. With 60 grains N120, it was good for a 2356 fps 15 ft. MV and .659 in. CTC 100 yard accuracy.
I've not worked with Accurate 2015 for a while, and the powder I have on hand is the “old style” Czech-made product. My understanding is that the current production offered by Western Powders, made in Canada, is somewhat more consistent. When I get my hands on some, I'll revisit it, but I did give the Parker 300 grain Match Hunter a brief test today, in the rain, with 70 grains of the Czech-produced Accurate 2015.
This lot of Accurate 2015 (Czech mfg.) produced an average velocity of 2194 fps at 15 feet with 70 grains by weight pushing the 300 grain Parker MH. With a laminated stocked Savage 10ML-II finished with a Kick-Eez pad, it is an extremely soft-shooting load feeling more like a .243 Winchester than anything else. It grouped 1-1/4 inch at 100 yards, not bad for starters, and despite the low recoil, is about a 217 yard center of the body hold whitetail load, still retaining about 1100 fpe @ 500 yards.
So, it was the MMP short black sabot, Federal 209A primers, the Parker Match Hunter 300 grain bullet, my own .033 inch through-hardened ventliner, seated with the Spinjag “BX” jag, required from proper loading of Bob Parker's radical nose profile bullet, and available from Parker Productions or Gunn Innovations, the “Spinjag People.” Quickload predicted a muzzle velocity of 2084 fps, a bit lower than the observed 2194 fps.
The Parker 300 grain Match Hunter is obviously a shooter out of the Savage 10ML-II. In times past, both N120 and Reloder 7 have given good results with 300 grain arena saboted projectiles.
Vihtavuori N120 Start Load: 55 grains Do not exceed 60 grains by weight.
Alliant Reloder 7 Start Load: 59 grains. Do not exceed 65 grains by weight.
Note that while Reloder 7 IS one of the original Savage Arms recommended powders, neither N120 or Accurate 2015 is a Savage Arms recommended propellant, so you are "on your own" and use them at your own risk. As soon as I get the chance, I'll report more field results with the Parker 300 MH with all three of these propellants. I'd personally have no problem hunting tomorrow with 70 grains of Accurate 2015, 1-1/4 inch @ 100 yards is better than many muzzleloaders are capable of, but once you are shooting into one ratty hole, it is hard to settle for less.
Links:
http://www.accuratepowder.com/
http://parkerproductionsinc.com/
© Copyright 2003-2011 by Randy Wakeman. All Rights Reserved.
