Rick Richard
Well-Known Member
Like you would for a centerfire…and that is a highly debated subject.
Looking at Smokeless options
- Thread starter Skeeter05
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Thank you for the replies so far. For me weight is an issue as this will primarily be used on public land with long walks with all gear. For the area I will be hunting a long shot would be 200 yards with 70-100 being the norm. Still undecided but after reading the above I am leaning more toward the lighter option.
ENCORE
Well-Known Member
Might consider the Woodman Patriot rifle.
For 200ish range, the CVA 45/70 converted to smokeless would probably be plenty. A word of warning though, the CVAs seem inconsistent on barrel quality(Bergara barrels). Mine was terrible as far as sizing over the length of the barrel. It doesn't shoot anywhere near as well as a well built(Bartlein barreled) bolt action smokeless, but is a lot cheaper and lighter.
Rick Richard
Well-Known Member
My experience with mine also.
I went down this rabbit hole about a decade ago. I started off with a few Savage MLII and various 45/70 conversions [Encore, H&R, CVA] and have done 3-4 heavier builds on R700s. I actually just sold a Hankins custom on the classifieds here last week. After all of that, I have settled on having two rigs for the variety of hunting I do. In a given year I'll hunt a number of whitetail states w/ stands, saddles, blinds that give shots from 50-150y to 600+ and some still hunting and drives thrown in as well. Having a lighter rig for tree stands, hiking and sub 350y shots and then a second for blinds and spots where longer shots are possible. I currently have a CVA Scout Hankins conversion [pic below] and a custom #6 Brux 26" - Mesa Prec. action, TriggerTech etc. Both are set up w/ Vortex Razor 3-15x42 HD LHT.
I'd suggest someone start off with one of the Hankins CVA conversions. I've had the SS and CM Scouts [also formerly, Hunter]. All 5+ that I have had or set up for friends, have shot extremely well. Doesn't seem to be a problem to get a 275gr bullet up to 2,500-2,600 fps and consistently subMOA w/ H or IMR 4198.
Pics of pretty typical groups and field results with these things.
I'd suggest someone start off with one of the Hankins CVA conversions. I've had the SS and CM Scouts [also formerly, Hunter]. All 5+ that I have had or set up for friends, have shot extremely well. Doesn't seem to be a problem to get a 275gr bullet up to 2,500-2,600 fps and consistently subMOA w/ H or IMR 4198.
Pics of pretty typical groups and field results with these things.
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thork91
Active Member
thork91
Active Member
Woodman patriot 5-6 lbs great rifle ,call you can shoot smokeless doesn't show on website, look under loads. Mark Woodman he will return call great customer service
Apex Custom Rifles
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I've built several for customers and a few for guys on the forum here. They have all been customs and the all shot extremely well! Here's a SUMMIT action with a brux barrel build I did for a guy. We took it out to test fire it and went out to 850 yards with it. Could have gone further, but it was very accurate. I think we were shooting Arrowhead XLD 300gr 45 cal bullets.
They are super nice and will hit like a hammer, but if you didn't want to spend the money on a build like that, the CVA option is a good one. I just ordered a CVA Scout 45/70 to convert for myself. I will eventually build a custom for myself, but this is a much more affordable option.
On a side note The Battalion has Summit ML actions on sale at the moment for $699 which is a good deal! I'm not affiliated with them.
They are super nice and will hit like a hammer, but if you didn't want to spend the money on a build like that, the CVA option is a good one. I just ordered a CVA Scout 45/70 to convert for myself. I will eventually build a custom for myself, but this is a much more affordable option.
On a side note The Battalion has Summit ML actions on sale at the moment for $699 which is a good deal! I'm not affiliated with them.
ENCORE
Well-Known Member
There is nothing like a full custom. Their accuracy is better than most CF rifles.
The customs make the absolute BEST BH209 shooters too, and to 1,000yds.
The Arrowhead XLD's are excellent for accuracy.
The customs make the absolute BEST BH209 shooters too, and to 1,000yds.
The Arrowhead XLD's are excellent for accuracy.
I recommend shooting it as a 45-70 before converting it. I didn't, and I wish I had. It shoots OK, but nothing impressive.
Apex Custom Rifles
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There isn't a rifle zone in my area, and I have plenty of choices if i go into a rifle zone. I'm converting one for myself to have an inexpensive SML and we can use them in the shotgun zone here for regular deer firearms season. That is mainly what I'll use this one for. 2-300 yards is a max range on the land I hunt in Southern MN so this will do much better than a shotgun. I'll build a custom for myself when I have more $$ to spend on myself.
I have 4 kids too so they can use it down the road as well. A 45-70 would sit in my safe and never get used. Not what I bought it for.
I have 4 kids too so they can use it down the road as well. A 45-70 would sit in my safe and never get used. Not what I bought it for.
I hunted SW Mn(Currie)for over 30 years. Haven't been down there for 4-5 years now. Wish I had had my smokeless back then.
