As a general rule, I’m not a muzzle loader kind of guy. The CVA relic I own burps and belches fire and shoots three shot groups that can only be measured in cubic feet. The last time it was cleaned, a chimney sweep and pressure washer was required to blast through all of the crud. Subsequently, it took a very slick looking rifle, that demonstrated none of these shortfalls to get me to try again.
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Model 700SF Ultimate Muzzle Loader |
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| Manufactured | Ilion, NY |
| Manufacturer | Remington |
| Item # | 86960 |
| Type | Bolt Action |
| Caliber | .50 |
| Mag Capacity | 4 |
| Barrel | Fluted 26″ |
| Rifling | 1:26″ |
| Weight | 8.5 Lbs |
| Overall Length | 47.00″ |
| Stock | Bell & Carlson Medalist |
| Hardware | Stainless |
| Length of Pull | 13 3/8″ |
| Sights | Drilled & Tapped |
| Scope | Drilled & Tapped |
| Trigger Pull | Adjustable 2.5 – 5.0 Lbs |
| Safety | Thumb 2 Position |
| MSRP | $999 |
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Also available with laminated stock and Metallic Sights – MSRP $949 |
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In regard to muzzle loader tradition, versus a muzzle loader optimized for muzzle loader hunting season, the Model 700 Ultimate Muzzle loader makes no pretense of being a tribute to history. Instead, Remington got rid of most of the handicaps associated with muzzle loader hunting and built this rifle as a long range shooter that can hold its own against an accurate centerfire rifle. They also took great pains to build this firearm to last.
The Model 700 receiver is a closed bottom type, machined from a solid billet of steel. The fluted barrel is fashioned of stainless steel. The Ultimate Muzzle Loader features an adjustable and very crisp X Mark Pro trigger. The stock is a top of the line Bell & Carlson; tough aramid fiber composite, layered over a fiberglass core and a very rigid aluminum frame that secures the barreled action.
The bottom metal is made of aluminum, the release for the floorplate and bolt are tucked out of the way, but still easily accessible from inside the trigger guard bow. The floorplate opens to a storage compartment that houses three brass, primed U.M.L. ignition sources. Sling swivel stud are included.
The bolt is just like a centerfire piece; twin lugs, headspaced to support the U.M.L. ignition device, opens and cocks just like a centerfire. The bolt head contains a centerfire type extractor that pulls the primer cases from the breech plug for ejection, however, the rifle does not eject spent ignition cases. But then it takes only a finger flick to pull the casing out from the bolt face and there is no crawling around in the grass looking for brass.
The U.M.L. ignition device is based on a 308 Winchester case. Rim and body diameter are a match and they accept a Remington 9 1/2 Large Rifle Magnum Primer. The extra firepower of the magnum primer, compared to the industry use of a 209 shotgun primer, assures full ignition and maximum performance with heavy 200 grain powder charges. The U.M.L. cases are recyclable. They and can be decapped and primed until a slight carbon ring begins to form around the fired primer; an indication of a less than perfect seal between the primer and primer pocket. Leakage around the primer impedes ignition and can contribute to reduction in velocity. As a point of reference, we were able to recycle the cases six to seven times without a problem.
A very beefy action, the floor is solid steel, the bottom of the receiver is closed; there is no need for a centerfire repeaters feed port. This particular model is drilled and tapped for both scope and metallic sight mounting, but it is shipped without metallic sights. Bases are standard Remington Model 700 so there are many types and brands from which to select. For folks who like metallic sights, a laminated version of the Remington Ultimate Muzzle Loader is supplied with metallic sights installed.
The stock form and geometry on this version are ideal for me. Drop at the onset of the comb is about 1/2″. In fact, there is a little groove on the top of the comb to clear the bolt when cycled. This provides a lot of support when shooting with a scope, a nice consideration for a rifle with a bit more than modicum of recoil. The high comb provides a natural line of sight through the scope and supports the shooter’s head so it doesn’t bounce around like a bobble-headed doll every time the trigger is pulled. The forearm is very much Remington long range shooting Sendero like; broad, flat and hand filling. The rifle’s 8 Lb weight provides recoil reducing and stabilizing heft.
Enough about the chassis, what about the engine?
Left to right below: U.M.L. Ignition Devices, a single charge of Hodgdon Triple Seven .50 Caliber black powder substitute pellets, CVA 50cal 245gr HP Copper PowerBelt bullet, Sabot mounted Remington 250 Grain AccuTip bullets, Hornady Low-Drag-Sabot 250gr SST Bullet, Hornady Low-Drag-Sabot 250gr SST Bullet.
A considerable amount of shooting was done, so I stuck to a regimen of running a solvent patch and two dry patches through the bore after every shot. I did some more casual shooting afterward and this was not necessary… promise, at least for a few shots. I just wasn’t sure how much residue would impact the various types of sabots and seals so I thought I would give each bullet type the same opportunity to perform and record data from a clean bore state… No, I am not sure which states are clean bore, but I know they are out there.
| Bullet | Type | Weight Grains |
Velocity fps |
Energy Ft/Lbs |
Charge Grains |
100 Yard 3 Shot Group “ |
| CVA Copper Power Belt | Hollow Point | 245 | 1747 | 1661 | 100 | 2.0 |
| CVA Copper Power Belt | Hollow Point | 245 | 2101 | 2402 | 150 | 1.7 |
| CVA Copper Power Belt | Hollow Point | 245 | 2377 | 3075 | 200 | 1.8 |
| Remington AccuTip Sabot | Poly Tip | 250 | 1767 | 1734 | 100 | 1.1 |
| Remington AccuTip Sabot | Poly Tip | 250 | 2116 | 2486 | 150 | 0.7 |
| Remington AccuTip Sabot | Poly Tip | 250 | 2425 | 3265 | 200 | 0.9 |
| Hornady Low-Drag-Sabot SST | Poly Tip | 250 | 1755 | 1710 | 100 | 0.8 |
| Hornady Low-Drag-Sabot SST | Poly Tip | 250 | 2102 | 2453 | 150 | 1.1 |
| Hornady Low-Drag-Sabot SST | Poly Tip | 250 | 2394 | 3182 | 200 | 1.0 |
| Hornady Low-Drag-Sabot SST | Poly Tip | 300 | 1647 | 1807 | 100 | 1.0 |
| Hornady Low-Drag-Sabot SST | Poly Tip | 300 | 1978 | 2607 | 150 | 1.2 |
| Hornady Low-Drag-Sabot SST | Poly Tip | 300 | 2252 | 3379 | 200 | 0.7 |
| Remington AccuTip same as Barnes Spit-fire T-EZ | ||||||
Shot from a sled, the Remington Ultimate Muzzle Loader made me forget I was shooting a muzzle loader… except for the part with water based solvents, ram rod flogging and powder charging. What impressed me is that the groups were shot with a rifle that was bore swabbed, reloaded and checked on the rest between shots. I would expect the break in concentration to result in stray shot, but it was easy to fall into a comfortable and natural hold. I would also suspect that someone with greater muzzle loader shooting experience would shrink group sizes substantially. My sighting concentration is best measured in bolt throws.
Of all of the bullets tried, the Remington sabot mounted 0.452″ bullet yielded the highest and most consistent velocity. The CVA PowerBelt is a nifty idea, however, the results were less than exciting as its less efficient seal resulted in consistently lower velocity. Additionally, the PowerBelt’s lighter 245 grain, 0.499″ bullet has a lower S.D. and B.C. than other bullets tested.
In all fairness to CVA and Remington, no one suggested using the PowerBelt bullets in this rifle. That said, considering I am used to 3 to 4 MOA from my own cheapo black powder muzzle loaders, even the PowerBelt performance was pretty darn exciting.
The Hornady bullets placed second in velocity, but were the easiest to load as a second shot without running a patch through the rifle’s bore. Both the Remington and Hornady bullets measure 0.502″ with the sabot compressed around the bullet. I thought perhaps sabot material stiction or, more scientifically termed, differing coefficient of slippery made the difference in loading effort, however, as diameter was the same, it would seem that would have also resulted in higher velocity. Puzzler…
Performance light and heavy loaded….
Just because a muzzle loader can handle a very large powder charge, does not mean it can’t handle more moderate loads where appropriate. The first table is with the Remington Ultimate Muzzle Loader loaded to half its charge capacity, which is more than adequate for deer size game out to 200 yards and there is no need for significant holdover.
| 100 Grain Charge – Remington AccuTip 250 Grain | |||||||
| Yards | 0 | 50 | 100 | 150 | 200 | 250 | 300 |
| Velocity – fps | 1747 | 1575 | 1421 | 1286 | 1174 | 1088 | 1022 |
| Energy – ft.-lbs. | 1694 | 1377 | 1121 | 917 | 765 | 657 | 579 |
| Momentum – lbs-sec | 1.93 | 1.74 | 1.57 | 1.42 | 1.30 | 1.20 | 1.13 |
| Path – in. | -1.5 | 2.3 | 2.6 | -1.4 | -10.7 | -26.3 | -49.2 |
| Best Zero Results | |||
| Near-Zero – yds. | 15 | Midrange – yds. | 79 |
| Far-Zero – yds. | 138 |
Max Ordinate – in. |
+3.0 |
| Point-Blank – yds. | 161 | ||
Fully charged to 200 grains of powder drop is less than half, point blank range is extended by approximately 50 yards and a hunter would be good to go on elk out to 300 yards. I am sure there is a Daniel Boone or Michael Stoner out there who could take that much farther.
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200 Grain Charge – Remington AccuTip 250 Grain |
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Yards |
0 |
50 |
100 |
150 |
200 |
250 |
300 |
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Velocity – fps |
2377 |
2167 |
1968 |
1781 |
1606 |
1449 |
1309 |
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Energy -ft.-lbs. |
3136 |
2606 |
2150 |
1760 |
1431 |
1165 |
951 |
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Momentum -lbs-sec |
2.63 |
2.40 |
2.18 |
1.97 |
1.78 |
1.60 |
1.45 |
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Path – in. |
-1.5 |
1.7 |
3.0 |
2.0 |
-1.7 |
-8.8 |
-20.0 |
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Best Zero Results |
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Near-Zero -yds. |
20 |
Midrange -yds. |
105 |
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Far-Zero -yds. |
182 |
Max Ordinate -in. |
+3.0 |
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Point-Blank -yds. |
212 |
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Running up the bullet weight a bit to 300 grains, you would think, or at least I would think, that there would be in a loss of range and rainbow like trajectory, but nay, no, no way and not at all. No, I don’t know what happened there, I just kept typing for dramatic effect and sometimes my hands have a mind of their own (Please see “The Hand” 1960 with an amazing starring performance by the less than ubiquitous Reed De Rouen). So let me express this in table –
| 200 Grain Charge – Hornady 300 Grain SST | |||||||
| Yards | 0 | 50 | 100 | 150 | 200 | 250 | 300 |
| Velocity – fps | 2252 | 2092 | 1940 | 1794 | 1655 | 1527 | 1409 |
| Energy – ft.-lbs. | 3378 | 2916 | 2506 | 2143 | 1825 | 1553 | 1323 |
| Momentum – lbs-sec | 2.99 | 2.78 | 2.57 | 2.38 | 2.20 | 2.03 | 1.87 |
| Path – in. | -1.5 | 1.7 | 3.0 | 1.9 | -1.9 | -8.8 | -19.5 |
| Best Zero Results | |||
| Near-Zero – yds. | 20 | Midrange – yds. | 103 |
| Far-Zero – yds. | 180 | Max Ordinate – in. | +3.0 |
| Point-Blank – yds. | 210 | ||
The 300 grain bullet load with maximum charge ends up being the flattest shooting and hardest hitting load for the Ultimate Muzzle Loader, trading off low cost and lower recoil for a higher ballistic coefficient, higher sectional density and maximum performance. Moose, big bear? Perhaps too heavy for most game, but that is the beauty of a muzzle loader of this type; it can handle the heavy stuff, but it can be loaded lighter to suit.
Notes on the U.M.L. ignition system….
For folks who follow muzzle loader developments, the system used on the Remington Ultimate Muzzle Loader will seem similar to those offered by Ken Johnson and Ultimate Firearms that retail in the neighborhood of $2,500 – $4,500. The Johnson firearms are all built on modified Remington Model 700 short actions and independently produced by Ultimate Firearms in their facilities. Remington purchased the patent rights to the Johnson breech plug system, put their own twist on the breech plug and primer carrier designs, and incorporated them into a purely Remington rifle that is manufactured in Ilion, New York. Eyeballing the price of both makes the Remington a terrific value.
It is normal for primers to back out of the U.M.L. primed casings when fired and this occurs regardless the charge. My guess is that this is a function of the primer firing without the pressure of an internal powder charge parking the case head against the breech face; the main powder charge is on the other side of the breech plug.
When recycling, the 1.090″ long cases were passed through a ,308 Winchester sizer, decapped and then primed with large rifle magnum primers (center). I could have done the same with a universal decapping die as the case does not need to be resized.
The Remington Model 700 Ultimate is a clean shooting black powder rifle, perhaps in part due to my use of Hodgdon’s Triple Seven synthetic black powder, and part because of superior ignition causing more complete combustion. The rifle was not soot-covered at the end of the session and I didn’t reek of black powder… the latter, I am sure, is a negative to some folks. Certainly not to my wife.
I honestly don’t know why folks would shoot anything but Triple Seven in a rifle of this type. It is premeasured in meaningful increments, easy to handle in pellet form, it puts out 20% more energy from a given volume than black powder or Pyrodex, and it appears to be easier on the bore of a rifle.
Ordinarily, the Remington’s breech plug is not removed for cleaning. Unfortunately, someone was in one of those “I wonder what would happened if I used a .45 Caliber jag with a patch?” mood and left a patch deep in the bowels if the rifle’s barrel. Compressed air would not remedy the problem so the plug had to come out. The plug was a little tight on removal, so the rifle was secured in a vise and the plug then came out easily. Reinstallation required anti seize compound on the threads and 100 in-lbs of torque for tightening using a 5/16″ breech plug wrench… A.K.A. Craftsman socket, extension bar and ratcheting torque wrench.
Personality…
For fans of black powder muzzle loaders, while the mechanical design is modern, it still makes lots of smoke. As a guy who spends a lot of time shooting smokeless powder firearms, that slightly acrid fog tended to be noticeable, something I believe most muzzle loader shooters enjoy. Trigger pull and discharge are instantaneous, which feels like shooting a modern centerfire rifle. My old muzzle loader takes at least fifteen minutes from the time the trigger is pulled until something, anything, leaves the muzzle. Noise, report, isn’t bad at all in comparison to most larger smokeless powder cartridges.
Placing the Remington Model 700 Ultimate Muzzle Loader into the context of a magnum rifle, recoil isn’t bad, even with top loads. The straight lines of the rifle’s stock, 8.5 Lb weight and resilient recoil pad mitigate much of the generated recoil.
I can honestly say that the Remington Model 700 Ultimate Muzzle Loader has an incredibly long, but very accurate name. The rifle has a good feel and is easy to pick up and shoot accurately without a lot of preliminary proficiency building. Unlike many muzzle loaders, the Ultimate Muzzle Loader’s accuracy and power offer true long range shooting potential. Of even greater importance, it is fun to shoot. If there was every a muzzle loader that would make me seek out big game muzzle loader hunting seasons routinely, this would be the one. Nice rifle.
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