Do yourself a favor and go to dougs message boards and look at their conversions for the 700 ML, Encore and H&R 45-70s. Cost is 1/3- no more than 1/2 and just as accurate and hard hitting.
I just bought a used 700 ML and new boyds stock and pacnor barrel installed with ramrod, short starter etc in 45 cal will cost $1150 and shoot the Parker 275s at 2800 fps.
Been there, done that. Completely. I have two quotes laying beside me and in my saved emails. So trust me, I've already done more than enough homework. I've had extensive conversations with both Luke and Bill. I have a real good understanding of them from months of research.
It amazes me how much shooters are just SWARMING over smokeless and trying to convert everyone else. I don't have a single thing against it but,
its illegal and won't be legal in my state. Its a game changer when it comes to hunting. Now the next thing everyone wants to state is, 'they'll shoot BH209 too.' And that's good too but, unless I just wanted another BH209 shooter, I'd keep shooting my Pro Hunter, which is just as accurate and I have 100% confidence in. If I'm hunting and the wife hears the rifle go off, she starts pealing onions...... IF, I ever want to get into smokeless just to shoot paper, then its just a matter of purchasing a barrel and having it worked. If you read everything on Doug's, you'll find that some builders have some concerns, no matter how slight, that if the DNR in states find out about the capable range using smokeless, that it could be completely banned in states that currently allow it.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to be a smart ask about it but, I've done the research and with smokeless being illegal in my state, the Ultimate was a "no brainer". Its a proven BP substitute shooting accurate rifle. An Ultimate has won the last 5 years long range matches in Friendship. Reading above, you'll also find an owner who's been shooting them for 10 years.
Oh by the way Ryan, I heard you're a pretty **** good shot with an Ultimate
I'll be picking mine up in the morning........