The
Changing Point of Impact Myth
One interesting
symptom of the human condition is looking for problems where they
don't exist; such is the case with the "rumored" point
of impact change when you loosen the front trigger guard screw on
the Savage 10ML-II to remove the bolt. I've never seen it change
point of impact at all, and have never heard of it doing
so. Yet, some folks though they have never experienced it feel it
exists--something like the Loch Ness Monster, I suppose. Forget
mere loosening of one rear action screw; I've changed complete
stocks at the range and have shot through the same hole. Let's see
if we can't put a few of these irrational fears to rest.
For background,
let's look at other muzzleloaders with less than completely internally
sealed actions. A typical Knight rifle, for example, has only one
action screw. The only way to thoroughly clean a Knight is to remove
the entire barreled action from the stock, as shown in the owner's
manual. One screw is all there is that holds the entire barreled
action to the stock-- that's it. Active T/C Omega shooters know
that the rubber end cap that catches a lot of the blowback leaks
a small amount. There are two action screws; yet again the only
way to remove the line of crud that forms beneath the barreled action
is to remove the entire barreled action from the stock. Let's look
at a standard T/C Encore-- to clean it, you remove two forearm screws
so you can remove the permanent 209 primer extractor so you can
spin out the breechplug. Encore shooters are aware that Encores
can be extremely forearm pressure sensitive. Yet, all these guns
have long been effective muzzleloaders.
With the Savage
10ML-II, we have a stronger and better system. Not just one action
screw as in Knights, not just two action screws as in the Omega,
but two "pillar bedded" action screws AND a dedicated
recoil lug. It is this three-point system that helps give all
Savage centerfires their renowned accuracy, and it is employed in
the Savage 10ML-II as well.
Experienced
shooters know that many, many things can cause a point of impact
change at the bench. I'm here to tell you, the addition of (or
the change of) a recoil pad can change things in a big hurry.
A change in the shooter's stockweld, a change in positioning of
the gun on cradle and rest-- these things and more cause impact
changes. Sloppy addition or removal of a heavy ramrod can do the
same, with any muzzleloader.
With a properly
assembled Savage 10ML-II, there are no gun related point of impact
changes that can be discerned. The front action screw need never
be touched under normal circumstances. The recoil lug is never moved.
To remove the bolt, the rear action screw is loosened only-- but
not removed. Torqued down the right way, there is no point of
impact shift. Actually, torqued down very, very casually doesn't
do it, either.
There is a
simple, fairly common benchrest trick you can use in just a few
moments that will eliminate any worry whatsoever for the only screw
you need touch-the rear action screw. Simply draw a thin line across
the properly torqued screw to the stock with fingernail polish (color
is a personal matter). Alternatively, you can make a light scratch
as your index mark.
Viola! Your
problems, real or imagined, are gone for good. After bolt replacement,
screw down that rear action screw until the index marks are aligned.
You have the same torque, and thanks to the 10ML-II pillar system--
your action screw cannot pull itself into the stock.
