All loads have been tested with Winchester 209 and Federal 209A primers. All loads have yielded sub 1-1/2" 100 yard accuracy in multiple Savage 10ML-II rifles, over many thousands of rounds. All loads have proved to be devastating on deer-sized game. For tougher or larger game, the 275 grain and 300 grain saboted bullets are the preferred choices. All smokeless powder charges are by weight.

MMP short black sabot, Hornady .452 XTP Start load: 40 gr. Accurate Arms 5744. Do not exceed load 45 gr.

MMP short black sabot, Hornady .452 XTP Start load: 37 gr. Vihtavuori N110. Do not exceed load 44 gr.

MMP 50 x .458 Orange Sabot, Barnes Original .458 Spitzer Soft Point. Start load: 55 gr. Vihtavuori N120. Do not exceed 60 gr. N120.

Barnes MZ-Expander 300 grain, supplied sabot, Start load 40 gr. Accurate Arms 5744. Do not exceed 45 grains 5744.

MMP short black sabot, Hornady .452 XTP, Start load 40 gr. Accurate Arms 5744. Do not exceed 45 grains 5744.

MMP 50 x .458 Orange Sabot, Hornady .458 Hollow Point #4500. Start load: 55 gr. Vihtavuori N120. Do not exceed 60 gr. N120.

MMP 50 x .451 HPH12 sabot, Barnes #45105 "XPB." Start load: 57 gr. Vihtavuori N120. Do not exceed 62 grains N120.

MMP 50 x .451 HPH12 sabot, Barnes #45105 "XPB." Start load: 40 gr. Accurate Arms 5744. Do not exceed 45 gr. 5744.

Start load for all loads: 90 gr. BY VOLUME blackpowder FFg, Triple 7 FFg, Pyrodex RS, or Pyrodex P. Do not exceed load for all loads: 120 gr. by volume.

MMP short black sabot, Hornady 250 grain .452 XTP.

Barnes MZ-Expander 300 grain, supplied sabot.

MMP 50 x .458 Orange Sabot, Hornady .458 300 gr. Hollow Point #4500

348 gr. Powerbelt, Hollow point or AeroTip. (Do NOT use with smokeless.)

405 gr. Powerbelt, Hollow point. (Do NOT use with smokeless.)

Bullet note: it is easy to confuse the Hornady XTP "Mag" with the standard Hornady XTP. The standard .452 Hornady XTP generally groups extremely well, the XTP "Mag" bullets do not. Avoid them.

Sabot note: Get current formulation sabots direct from http://mmpsabots.com or phone MMP at 870-741-5019. That's the only way to insure current formulation product, and consistent accuracy.

Triple Se7en Note: Triple Se7en is notorious for forming a hard, slag-like fouling ring in the breechplug area. Immediately after the first two shots, crack your breechplug and retighten it when shooting Triple 7. This breaks the bond line, and helps avoid a stuck breech plug.

Blackpowder, Pyrodex, and Triple Se7en note: As always, when using these corrosive propellants, your gun must be thoroughly cleaned at the end of the day to avoid damage to your barrel. This is true with any muzzleloader.

Smokeless Powder Note: the best performance with 250 grain bullets has been with Vihtavuori N110 or Accurate Arms 5744. The best performance with the Barnes 275 gr. XPB, and all 300 grain saboted bullets has been with Vihtavuori N120 or Accurate Arms 5744. All smokeless powder charges are BY WEIGHT.

Please Note: Randy Wakeman, his agents, heirs and assigns, hereby disclaims all possible liability for damages including, actual, incidental and consequential, resulting from usage of the information or advice contained in this article.

Use the data and advice at your own risk, and with extreme caution. The suggested loads listed here are for reference only, and are not necessarily endorsed or recommended by Savage Arms.