 Thanks for visiting the The Badger's Den (the blog for Badger Ridge). If an internet search brought you here, please stick with us: we have the solution to your Remington 700 ML/MLS and Ruger 77/50 woes. I update this blog frequently and what you are looking for is probably one or two clicks away. This blog is sorted categorically and chronologically. So you can find what you want by looking in the appropriate category, or if you know when it was published, you can use the time line. Or just keep scrolling down! If you are new to our site: YES WE STILL SERVICE AND CONVERT THESE OLD MUZZLE LOADERS! Our kits fix blow back issues, does not rely on most of the parts people tinker with, and can base line the rifle to a solid known good state. However you got here, and whatever shape your rifle is in, welcome to the best, last conversion you'll ever want on your rifle, and a great source for other hard to find Remington 700 ML parts. In this post I'd like to share an email conversation I've had:  700 ML kit feeding a primer into the Badger Ridge Hunter Breech Plug You've just received a new submission to your Contact Form Submitted Information Name: Rodney A Address: North Carolina Question or Comment: Badger Ridge Industries claims on their Remington 700 ML 209 conversion are 100% ACCURATE! My quest for a no nonsense accurate muzzle loader is now over: I’m so happy that I found this product. There’s 5 other muzzle loaders in my gun safe that I’m now considering selling, they just didn’t satisfy my accuracy or ease of use demands. With Badger Ridge's system: No trying to pick a primer out of a nipple In a tiny space, no converted piece of brass to keep up with and re-prime, no weak or fussy ignition system. This system simply works and is very convenient to use in the field. If I were to run across another Remington 700ML, I’d put a Badger Ridge conversion in it with no second thoughts. This system truly makes the Remington 700ML the ULTIMATE MUZZLELOADER hands down. Mr. Rodney, Thanks for the kind words. We aim to please and fix folks woes! To our prospective clients:
Feel free to browse the site. It is full of resources and answers to your questions. Call us, or use the contact form to email us. We care and take pride in our products and services! Read the reviews! Buy with confidence!
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 Thanks for visiting the The Badger's Den (the blog for Badger Ridge). If an internet search brought you here, please stick with us: we have the solution to your Remington 700 ML/MLS and Ruger 77/50 woes. I update this blog frequently and what you are looking for is probably one or two clicks away. This blog is sorted categorically and chronologically. So you can find what you want by looking in the appropriate category, or if you know when it was published, you can use the time line. Or just keep scrolling down! If you are new to our site: YES WE STILL SERVICE AND CONVERT THESE OLD MUZZLE LOADERS! Our kits fix blow back issues, don't rely on most of the parts people tinker with, and base line the rifle to a solid known good state. However you got here, and whatever shape your rifle is in, welcome to the best, last conversion you'll ever want on your rifle, and a great source for other hard to find Remington 700 ML parts. In this post I'd like to share a text, email, & phone conversation I've had with a customer recently (I asked and he said it was OK to share it). Mike had a Remington 700 ML and had us convert it a year or so ago. He liked using it (with our conversion) so much he just bought another rifle (his new rifle is a bit of a "basket case", needing serious repair and missing stuff). Here's how our conversation went (First from our Contact form, then edited and summarized from texts, emails, etc... I've taken the liberty to edit and summarize some of this): NEW CONTACT FORM SUBMISSION: Name: Mike L Question or Comment: I have an Remington ML700 stainless bolt body that is missing the handle, I bought this rifle this way. If I shipped the body, would you be able to weld a new handle on for me, and what would the cost be? Mr. L, Its probably best to start by sending me pictures of the bolt that you have. Typically we can do the work, but some folks really torque on stuff then expect us to work a miracle. Send me pics and we'll take it from there. You can text them to my cell or email them to me. Yours, Tom Tom, Here is the bolt with the missing handle. This is the way I bought it. I think it is very usable, but I will leave that to you, the expert. By the way, I purchased one of you 209 conversions and had you perform the conversion. Man is it cool! I made a long range muzzle loader kill with it last year: a nice ram.  Mike L's Remington 700 MLS bolt body missing the handle
Mr. L, From what I see: we can weld a handle on that. Seeing there is little silver solder to remove before we reweld, and you are a repeat customer, we'll extend you the less expensive "no solder to remove, virgin weld price." (we usually charge more to remove the silver solder). You will need to purchase a handle (stainless steel) and our welding service. You can buy the handle from us, or purchase one from someone else and ship it with the bolt body. You can chose whatever you want through the drop down menu's on our web site page for bolt handle welding: https://www.badgerridgeind.com/store/p27/700BoltHandleWeld.html Click on the link above and then select the option you want (ie You provide a bolt body & we provide the handle.) PS I would love to see pics of the Ram and hear the story!  Mike L's Ram. Note the Remington 700 ML with the Badger Ridge 209 conversion Tom, Here's the Ram. It was an 175 yard shot. That 209 Conversion is Badass! I have shot 300 rounds with it, wore out one vent liner from shooting it so much! My load: 100 Grains by volume of BlackHorn209, CCI Primers (older copper colored ones), 300 gr Harvester PT Gold bullets. It has been an awesome combination for me! Oh and I Got the bolt back with the new handle! It works great!
 Note the through and through with expansion at long range Mike, Thanks for your continued patronage and sharing your experience with everyone! Yours, Tom  Feeding a primer and swaging into breech plug to seal We keep hearing great things from our customers! It makes this line of work very rewarding! We look forward to helping you! Here's an email conversation between us and Wes G from North Carolina! To purchase a conversion or learn more click here, or any of the pictures or links below.  Badger Ridge's 209 kit above You've just received a new submission to your Contact Form. Submitted Information: Name Wes G: I just had you install a conversion kit on my 700 ML. Haven't had a chance to shoot it yet. Can't wait. Question: Groups before your conversion between 1.5 and 2"@ 100 with 105 gr BH 209 and Barnes 290 gr T-EZs. While that level of accuracy is fine for deer @ 100 yds, I am heading to NM for elk this fall and would like to improve my 5" groups @ 200. Thanks. Wes  Primer about to be fed into breech plug for a tight seal Wes, Try out the kit and see. Usually sealing up the breech improves accuracy as it makes pressures more consistent. What you are reporting is pretty good with any muzzleloader. Tom Tom, Thought I’d send you an update. Shot the conversion yesterday. My previous unmodified load was 110 gr (by volume) BH 209, CCI-M, 290 T-EZ in supplied sabots, averaging 5.25” @ 200 yds & 1919 fps (10’ instrumentation). Since you recommended standard CCIs, I switched to those. Two shots with previous loads were 6.625” apart averaging 1863 fps. Bumped charge to 115 Black Horn 209 (by volume) with standard CCIs and shot a 3 shot group of 3.125” @ 1923 fps [all groups at 200 yds]. Thinking the slower velocity with the 110 gr load was due to the primer switch. Upping the powder got my velocity back with the standard CCI primers. That velocity appears to be the most accurate node from this barrel (having tried 105, 110, 115, and 120 gr by volume). I’m out of both powder and bullets currently, but after I resupply, I will shoot some more to verify repeat-ability. I may also try 110 gr by volume with the CCI-Ms to see how it does. At any rate, I am thrilled with that group and that my glasses, nose, and thumb are no longer coated with soot and oil from the bolt. Thanks for your help and a great product. Wes Wes, That is great! Thanks for the kind words! Remember that you can try the CCI-M's... they may stick in the nose and require a dry fire to remove... but usually that goes away at the higher charges you are using. I always recommended standard CCI's as they have never stuck in the nose on me, but recently CCI changed from a copper colored primer to a Silver, and I don't have any experience with it yet. Regardless, you can use whatever primer you desire with our conversion, they just may require a dry fire to remove them. Thanks for the update... Tom  Wes G's 700 ML with his 200yd group Tom, Here’s a pic. Trying not to get too excited until I get more powder and bullets to make sure that group is repeatable. The 3 shot group with 115 gr by volume was cleaned between shots. Wes  You know you have a great product (like our sealed breech 209 conversions) when so many of your customers take the time to write such detailed, complete, messages. Below is what Al R from Indiana had to say about our Remington 700 ML 209 conversion that he installed himself. For purchasing information click here, or on the pictures of the kit. If you don't want to read his insightful feedback, feel free to click the topics along the right side to find what you want concerning our Ruger and Remington 209 conversions (or click any of these blue links). Good morning, Yesterday I converted the bolt on our family-owned Remington 700ML. My son, Matt, (who is much more computer savvy than I am) ordered it about 7 or 10 days ago. For the sake of you knowing how much mechanical background this (very satisfied) customer has, in 1966 I was an apprentice tool-and-die guy. Within a year or so in the apprentice program I changed career course and enrolled in engineering school, which has paid the bills for the last 50 years, until my retirement. Over the years I accumulated a small hobby garage machine shop (drill press, vertical mill, engine lathe, shaper, welders, etc.). I consider myself an upper-echelon, non-professional, hobbyist. With those credentials, I hereby give a grade of “A” to Badger Ridge for your VERY complete instructions (both electronic and hard copy) and the materials kit for making a Remington 700ML 209 Bolt Conversion. Certainly the key to doing the conversion yourself is “Tool 002”. I’ve attached a photo of my rendition of “Tool 002” that didn’t require welding. (It was only 10°F here yesterday in central Indiana, and I didn’t want to have the shop doors open to do the welding). The B/M for my “Tool 002” is: (1) short piece of angle or barstock (2) #10 ViseGrip pliers (2) ½-13 nuts (while square is best, heavy hex would be ok, and standard nuts would work) (1) ½-13 hex head cap screw, drilled to accept firing pin  Al's improvised bolt tool is pictured above and below (aka "Tool OO2")  The other suggestion I have is to recommend that when tapping the cross pin (out and in) the instructions need to prescribe support, or it will bounce, (and eventually bend), I suppose. I used a machinist V-block, but anything could be shimmed up and made to work. As to tuning the breech plug, Fiocchi 209 primers will not fit in my rifle without tuning. I can’t wait to get the scope mounted and some Blackhorn powder and take the gun to the range, once it warms up. On a larger picture, projects like 209 Conversions make America stronger, as DIY people who do these types of projects are problem solvers that extends way beyond a single 209 Bolt Conversion. I’m a strong believer in “Made in America”. I’m glad to see that you’re doing your part. Best wishes to Badger Ridge for 2018, and keep up the good work!! Sincerely, Al Al, Thanks for the kind words, encouragement, and insight on an easy way to improvise a firing pin tool. As for the cross pin removal: I like to use the pipe nipple with the welded nut bolt tool on 700ML's... it holds it all very well, and holds best when clamped in my vice. Makes tapping the pin out a breeze. With this tool I've had little trouble removing all but the most stubborn cross pins. If the pin doesn't want to budge, usually trying from the other side is all it takes. However for the really stuck ones, I do place the cocking piece on the anvil of my vice, or in a V block and use hard strikes to remove the pin.  My favorite firing pin tool above.. (Aka Tool 002) When putting it all back together, using the roll pin we include with the kit (and de-burring the pin with a little light filing) usually requires little undue force. I tend to use the tool I welded up quick (two nuts welded to small angle... similar to the one you shared) when I work on un-threaded cocking piece firing pins that have to have solid dowel pins... and with solid dowl pins, I pre drill 3/32, then disassemble & chase each hole individually with a #41 drill bit. This way the solid dowel pin floats into place (so there is little friction on the pin requiring hard strikes).
As for primer recommendations: Yes, Fiocchi and other European 209 primers are typically fatter than US primers. (I used recommend standard CCI but now that CCI changed their dimensions and color [now they are silver] I cannot recommend them, and instead suggest Federal or Remington primers). With most of these you will probably have to tune. Remember if a primer sticks in the nose, a dry fire usually will loosen it. Thanks again for writing in and allowing me to share your message with everyone, Tom Always love to hear from our customers. Here is what Craig G from Massachusetts had to say about the Ruger 77/50 209 bolt & breech plug he bought from us:  Converted Ruger 77/50 bolt with all the accessories above. Hi, Tom, I just wanted to let you know that I’m very happy with the Ruger 77/50 bolt and breech plug that I bought recently. They arrived fast and the fit and finish is as good if not better then original. Thank you. Job well done. You should be proud of the product and service you provide. Thanks again, Craig Thank you for taking the time to write us! We appreciate the kind words and positive feed back. We are proud of our products and the services we render. We are also proud of our great customers! God has blessed us!  Want more information on our Ruger 77/50 209 Conversion kit? Start here or use the categories listed on the right side of this blog.   Steve P from Lake Orion, Michigan was so pleased with his Remington 700 ML 209 Conversion he took the time to send us the picture above via Facebook. Here's what he had to say (short, sweet, and to the point): 130 yard shot, 120gr by volume of Black Horn 209, Parker Ballistic Extreme 300gr and the Badger Ridge bolt upgrade, Timney trigger. Wow! Nice Buck! Well Done!
I’ve said it here many times. My favorite part of this business is the quality of people it draws. We wouldn’t be here without you, our customer. Our Ruger 77/50 209 conversion came into existence with the help of our first Ruger 209 conversion customer… Here’s how he feels about it. We also have a similar sealed breech 209 conversion for the Remington 700 ML. If you are looking for Remington information, click the link on the right side. A bunch of chit chat with Jason was snipped for brevity (we grew up about 20 minutes from each other, but had never met previously… I also have removed personal info such as, last names, addresses, and phone numbers. I also fixed a few spelling/grammatical errors on both sides). Bottom line: This is indeed a true customer and his feed back.  Bolt nose feeds primer into breech plug for a sealed breech 30 Jan 2017 Name: Jason R Address: Howell, MI Hello, I see you commented on Michigan sportsman forum on a Ruger 77/50 bolt conversion. When will it be available? I have battled misfires since I bought mine years ago. I would love to get it converted. Badger Ridge’s response (30 Jan 17 ): Mr. R, Wow that was fast! I just posted that teaser! Figured I'd offer it up to my 'homeland' hunters first (grew up in Waterford... hunted family farms in Marlette and Pinckney, Michigan when I was a kid) ... so I put the first peek there. Short answer is that I just finished a few tweaks to the kit that should be the end of development and bring it into low rate production. I'm not sure when the shop will be able to get the handful of initial low rate kits to me. Probably a few weeks to a month. Cost will be about $246 on this one... not cheap but well worth it. And due to the complexity I'm not planning on offering it up as a DIY kit... the $246 includes me converting a provided bolt and shipping it back. Let me know if you want to be the first one to get this. Tom  Ruger 77/50 209 Converted bolt with new breech plug, vent liner, hex L wrench, and bolt stop screw Jason’s reply: Hi Tom, Yes I would love to be one of the first. I don't need the bolt until December so let me know when you want it. I am just about giddy with excitement. I was pondering buying a new muzzle loader but my Ruger shoot so well I just hated to. I consider your pricing a bargain versus buying a new Knight which is what I was looking at. Thanks Jason, Ok. Sounds good. I agree about the knight purchase. That is why I'm into 700 ML's and now the Ruger. Seems like a better way to get the about the same performance... especially if you already own the rifle to convert. Tom We wrote back and forth and worked out a couple small growing pains in doing the last bit of developing the kit. (remember he volunteered to be the first customer with this kit and understood it was still needing some final development). Jason was very patient and understanding through out the process. We got it right for everyone here after! Here's what he wrote back to us:  Target from September's 3 shot only test Sept 22nd 2017 Hi Tom, [Ruger 77/50] ML shot well. I only shot 3 times, the temperature was 80 degrees with horrible humidity. My glasses were fogging so I did not want to sit and let the barrel cool down between shots. Thanks for all your efforts, cleaning was so much easier and I was able to leave the leather wrap off my scope. Jason R ------- 12 Nov Hi Tom, Just finished cleaning the Ruger after a final sight in before season (15 Nov). I just thought I would drop you a note. Your conversion works very well. Constant ignition shot after shot, no more hang-fires or misfires. This conversion cuts clean up time down by at least 15 minutes. Thanks again for all your hard work. Jason, Thank you for being an awesome, understanding customer. Your patience helped us to develop the best 209 conversion for the Ruger 77/50. We are proud of our product and our awesome customers! Tom  After years of selling our Remington 700 ML 209 conversion, and installing many hundreds of them, I still enjoy it when folks take the time to send feed back. I installed our kit on the customer's bolt below. After he got it back, I received the very detailed message shown below (and received permission to share it with you). Subject: Remington 700 ML 209 Conversion Badger Ridge Staff I got to the range yesterday (finally) to do some testing. As expected I had to do just a bit of tuning on the breech plug to allow the primer to fit properly with the provided drill bit. The time at the range sort of got away from me so did not get to test every powder option that I wanted too, however my plan was to end up with Blackhorn 209, so that is what I ended up using for most of the testing. Powders Initially Desired to be Tested Pyrodex Select Powder – did not get a chance to test. Pyrodex Pellets – did shoot one three round group with this powder source Triple Se7en Magnum Pellets – did shoot one three round group with this powder source Blackhorn 209 – Shot 15 loads with this powder Bullets Tested: Barnes - 245 grain - .451 Spit-Fire MZ™ - 1763 fps T/C - 250 grain - .451 Polymer Tip - 1712 fps Harvester - 260 grain - .451 Polymer Tip - 1705 fps I ended up with the Blackhorn 209 powder (100 grains by volume), the Harvester 260 PT Shockwave bullet, and CCI Shotgun Primers giving just under 1.5” groups @ 100 yards. I think I can actually improve on that. I shot 21 rounds with the new 209 Conversion setup and did not experience one misfire of a 209 primer during this testing. Plans are to do some additional testing to build a proper scale as my Bushnell Scope has a BDC reticle. I would also like to revisit the use of Pyrodex & Triple Se7en Magnum pellets as that is a very convenient method to load and/or reload for a second shot versus the Blackhorn 209 loose powder. I did clean between (3) shot groups and was a bit surprised at the amount of “black” residue from the Blackhorn. It did not seem to be any cleaner than the other powder sources. Maybe I was expecting too much from the advertising. The only downside with this new setup is the removal of the fired 209 primers and reloading of a new one seems to take a bit more time than the old #11 percussion caps. However, the greatly improved ignition system and lack of any powder blowback in one’s face is well worth that. Besides, I have not had to use a follow-up shot in all my deer hunting for the past 50 years and do not plan on starting now. From my experience and initial testing, you have a very well designed product and have given my Remington 700 ML new life. Thanks Raymond F Omaha, NE  Badger Ridge's Complete Remington 700 ML/MLS 209 conversion kit  When you run a business, you get to communicate with folks from all walks of life. 99.99% of our customers are truly awesome people. Part of the reason I'm in this business is the sort of people it draws. Again another satisfied customer took some of his time to write in and share what he thought about the Remington 700 ML 209 conversion he bought and installed on his rifle. I asked and he didn't mind if I shared his email here (I did remove most of his last name for some anonymity): Just wanted to let you know I received your 209 conversion for my Remington 700. I installed it at home with the help of your instructions and the online video. It works great. No more failure to fires due to the weak #11 caps. It shoots every time. Period. No misfires. I know it's not the cheapest kit, but I'm confident I won't have to worry. I'd buy it again without hesitation. It's a great product. Thanks again. Mike G, from Wisconsin Thank you Mike for the positive feedback! We aim to please. Like you said, quality costs, our kit is not only quality and made in the USA but it's also the solid fix to all the Remington 700 ML's initial flaws. It gives me the confidence to reliably harvest animals. We'd love to see pics of your successes!
 Loading, feeding, and swaging 209 primer into breech with our conversion kit I always enjoy hearing from our customers. This time, Mike A from New York, who had me convert his Remington 700 ML to our 209 conversion over a year ago, took the time to write in. To me, it says a lot about your product when people love it so much they take their time to write a thank you note. I can just say, "Thank you for being a great customer!" The message I received from Mike A, New York is below: QUESTION OR COMMENT FOR BADGER RIDGE: Just a positive comment... You converted my Rem. 700 ML a few years ago. I've taken it into the field for a few years now during deer season, and to the range about once a month for those same number of years. Essentially, with 90 grs. of BH 209, 300 gr. Hornady XTPs, MMP EZ load sabots, and CCI 209 Magnum primers, the result with a low ringed scope is clover leafing dead center at 50 yds. And dead center adjusted up + 3" at 100 yds. The holes are paper punch clean. The gun is competitive with any of the other BP guns I own. It is fun to shoot. You turned the firearm from a tomato stake to a reliable, easy to clean, accurate, easy to use gun. Thank you. Mike A New York Thanks again for writing in. All of my rifles have shot best between 80 and 100 grains by volume of Blackhorn 209 as well. Glad you are satisfied! This time Jessica A, from Virginia wrote to us on FaceBook concerning the Remington 700ML/MLS 209 Shot Shell Primer Conversion I performed on her bolt. Check out her nice buck below!  Thanks a million! I had no worries about my gun firing this year. The Remington 700ml 209 conversion did the trick! Jessica A, Virginia  Jessica reached out to us a few months back via our contact form. She had a lot of good questions. I answered them via email and gave her my phone number. She called. During our chat she mentioned that she'd missed a few bucks due to miss fires and was ready for a better solution. She purchased our Remington 700ML kit with installation, and sent me her bolt. I converted it and sent it back with the breech plug and other accouterments. It's always great to have happy clients... most especially nice when they share that they bagged nice trophies! It's great to have clients that 'like us' on FaceBook. It really helps to build a business and we aim to please!
Always enjoy helping customers. It really seems like plain 'ol good Americans like to shoot muzzle loaders, and many of them have the old Remington 700 ML/MLS and are tired of unreliable ignition, crud in their face, and scopes getting eaten by blow back. They are looking for the better solution we offer. Below is a recent email from a repeat customer, Dennis, from North Carolina, who bought our Remington 700 209 Conversion Kit and installed it himself:  Badger Ridge Remington 700 ML/MLS 209 shot shell conversion kit, sealed breech, Blackhorn 209 compatible Shot my first Blackhorn 209 through Rem 700MLS on Saturday after upgrade with your kit. No misfires or problems of any kind on 3 shots and all between 1852 and 1879 fps with 70gn by weight (to test) and 240gn HP/XTP. Was a little slower than expected based on experience with Pyrodex. But, I think I have room in BH 209 powder charge to get back to 2000 fps safely and…. I can give away my protective scope wraps. Primers slip in and literally fall out if I turn gun over. Bolt disassembly is no longer part of each cleaning. Good product. Firing pin install was a little tricky but overall installation not too bad. Best regards, Dennis Thanks for the positive feed back, Dennis! As you are using BH 209 by weight, and 70gr by weight = 100gr by volume (equivalent black powder is measured by volume, not weight), you can increase your load by working up to 120gr by volume according to Western Powders. So you have more room to increase velocity if that is your desire. Most of my 700 MLS rifles have shot best at 80 to 100 gr by volume of Blackhorn209. For those of you who don't want the hassle of installing the firing pin and nose to your bolt, we offer installation of the kit for reasonable fees and have great turn around times. Videos of our 209 kit in action are below:  Badger Ridge 700ML 209 ignition upgrade kit... This is the full kit Kenny G bought. When properly installed it seals the Breech! With our 700ML 209 ignition upgrade we try to keep it simple and yet very effective. And frankly we are proud of it. We understand that its going to be new to most folks. Though we do have a number of repeat customers, who realize once they see our 209 conversion in action realize how great it is, and start buying up used 700ML's. Below I've put together a fairly common exchange for the benefit of the newcomer (and yes, did some editing for clarity and to protect the client's identity, etc). 28 July You've just received a new submission to your Contact Form. Submitted Information: Name Ken G Question or Comment First, I would like to thank you for your service and hope it has been as rewarding as the 22 years I spent serving our country. I just received the full 209 conversion kit I purchased a couple of days ago. I am now opting to have it professionally installed - hopefully by you. Is it possible to return the kit along with my bolt and payment to you for the service? Thank you in advance. Kenny G 28 July, From BadgerRidge to Kenny G: ------------------------------------ Mr. G, Thanks for your service. You certainly can have me install your kit. Please purchase installation at our website with a note saying that you will ship the kit with the bolt. Then drop it all in the mail to me. I appreciate your business! Tom (phone number removed.... if you want it, send me a contact form) 28 July, Kenny G's following messages to Badger Ridge. ------------------------------- Thanks Tom. I will do just that. Ken --then I received his bolt, converted it and mailed it back to him the day after receiving it, he got automated emails with tracking information I received this on 04 August : Tom, I got my bolt back today! That was a very quick turn-around. Haven’t installed it yet but will this weekend. Thanks for the great service. I will send pix if I am successful this season. Take care and God bless. Ken --then he sent on Sept 2nd -- Hello again, Just following up and saying thanks again. I installed my newly modified bolt and breech plug, mounted a Nikon 3-9x40 and went to the range. I only had 245gr Aero tip Powerbelts and used 100gr Pyrodex and the Winchester 209s. Yes, they stuck just as you stated so, thanks for the tip on getting them out. Barring the sticking primers, all worked well at the range. I zeroed with 3 shots. Shots 4&5 overlapped in the bull. I have been looking – in vain for CCI Primers in my area but had to settle on 777. They seem to work. I’ll take them to the range soon. Eager to go hunting with it. Got some really nice bucks on camera. J I would like to take this opportunity to wish you and your family a safe and happy holiday. Take care and God bless. Ken  Here is his first sight in target at 50 yds. I believe shots 1 to 3 were walking the newly mounted scope in, then 5 and 4 confirmed its zero. He's stillworking on load variations, but this will certainly kill deer! After I asked (and he agreed) that it was OK to share our correspondence here in the Badger's Den, he sent me the sight in pic above and the pic below of his latest mod. Seems since sighting in at 50 he's decided to spruce the rifle up a bit:  Kenny G's 700ML with Boyds stock. From Tom to Kenny G: What you have now definitely works, and you may have some Pyrodex to shoot up before you are ready, but my parting recommendation is: Get some Black Horn 209, full powered 209 primers (best CCI, like you saw the Winchester tend to stick and require a dry fire to remove) , black sabots, and 225 to 300 gr 45 cal hand gun bullets and shoot some groups at 100 yds with different bullets by starting at 80gr by volume, and working up to 120gr by volume. Zero the load that shot best a couple to three inches high at 100yds. Go home clean the rifle up; you have a sealed breech a deer hammer to take to the woods. Thanks for being a great, understanding client. Please keep me posted and let me know how I can help. Tom We always love feedback on our products. Especially when its positive... here is what Mike C from Vermont had to say about his Remington 700 ML we converted to 209 primers and sent back to him: Thank you so much, got my bolt today. Installed the new bolt, and breech plug, off to the range I went. 100 grains by volume of blackhorn 209, CCI standard shotshell primer, and a Hornady SST low drag sabot 300gr bullet. You transformed my gun into a tack driver, hard to believe it’s the same gun!!!! No ignition problems at all, and clean up was a breeze, do not understand why any one would use something other than Blackthorn 209 powder. Thanks again for the install. Mike
Did you break the handle clean off of your bolt body? It happens more often than most would think!Most of the Remington 700 bolt handles I've run across are silver soldered (AKA brazed) onto the bolt's body. Its not uncommon for them to separate. When we build up our bolts we TIG weld the handles to the body. We can re-weld a handle on for you for any model 700... not just the ML!!!  Stainless bolt handle TIG welded onto bolt body If your handle separates from the body we can help. Purchase our re-weld service, and send the bolt to our welding service address. We'll clean up the old pieces and TIG weld them together. Here's some feed back from one of our customers who contacted us and needed a handle welded back on:Jim G (from Arkansas): Recd the weather shroud today so my bolt is complete again & you did a fine job, it looks great. Feel free to use me as another one of your satisfied customers & I will be proud to refer anyone to you if I run across anyone else that encounters the same problem as I did. Thank You! I've said it before, and I'll say it again (because I mean it): I like to hear from satisfied customers! Here's one more that said he didn't mind if I posted his email: Tom, Just wanted to provide you with some positive feedback on the bolt and breech conversion you did for my Remington 700ML. This gun has never shot as good as it does now. I have switched to CCI magnum primers,100 gr blackhorn powder and 300gr Harvester Scorpion PT Gold Polymer Tip bullets. I actually enjoy hunting with this gun now not having to worry about misfires and excessive cleaning with the old 209 conversion kits. Thanks again for the quick turn around and a great product. Mike F Indiana Mike,
Thanks for taking the time to write in. It's my pleasure to help. Hope you get a big one! Tom Always happy to hear from customers. Here is an email I received from David T in Michigan after completing the Remington 700 ML 209 shot shell primer conversion on his bolt:Tom, Just a follow up to let you know I am very happy with your 209 conversion on my Remington 700ML. A superior system compared to stock, it provides piece of mind knowing that the rifle is going to fire every time I pull the trigger. Your product and craftsmanship are top of the line. Your conversion takes a marginal performing muzzleloader and turns it into a highly reliable hunting firearm. Thank You, David T Michigan Thanks for the kind words Dave! Glad to know you are enjoying your rifle.
Gabe R, from California took the time to write the email below, so I thought I'd share: Tom: Good evening . I finally got a chance to try out the new Badger Ridge Primer system a couple of weeks ago. Here's how it went: I made a trip out to the local desert and used the following components for my test:
Winchester W209 primers were used for a couple of reasons: 1. They required the least amount of reaming to fit the breach plug (as compared to Remington and Cheddite), 2. I have about 5000 on hand so these saved me a trip to the local sporting goods store. Overall, the results have been very promising with the three tests yielding the following average velocities: 80 gr. powder - 1552 fps* 100 gr. powder - 1795 fps* 120 gr. powder - 2000 fps* All loads were chronographed using Competition Electronics, ProChrono Digital. There was no soot or blow-by on any of the fired primers, however there were some issues when using 80 -100 gr. of Blackhorn powder. In two cases, the primer backed out and became stuck in the bolt face. These were cleared by dry firing the spent primer. There were no issues when firing 120 gr. loads with all six primers easily dropping out of the bolt face when the rifle was canted to the right. Overall, the Badger Ridge Hunter 700 ML 209 conversion kit has resurrected my Remington 700 ML. I am looking forward to using this rifle in upcoming muzzleloading hunts. Thanks for the great product and service, Gabe R *I asked Gabe, and he reported he shot one 3 shot group at 80gr and 100gr, then two 3 shot groups at 120gr to get his average velocities. Your are welcome Gabe! Thank you for your candid feed back from the field. I trust our Remington 700ML 209 conversion will serve you well, and wish you the best of luck on your hunts!
Also it is common for the Winchester primers to blow out the back of the primer cup (aka balloon) and frequently require a dry firing to remove. That is why I recommend and use CCI. Copyright 2015, www.BadgerRidgeInd.com |
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Written by:Tom, purveyor of fine products. |
TM
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