Back in 2015 Randy Wakeman reviewed a Badger Ridge 209 converted 700 MLS. I didn’t care for his approach as it ignored well established and understood norms. What he published really revealed his ignorance. I contacted him and he refused to consider showing the same video/information but from a more humble and accurate perspective: so I originally wrote this article and posted it to our old website in August of 2015.
If you watch his video, I ask that you please watch the entire video. I sent this rifle (my 209 converted hunting rifle) to Randy fully cleaned and coated with oil… so that explains the first hang fire (oil soaked powder). Randy told me that he shot it as it came; he didn’t dry up the oil I left it coated with.
The second shot, I agree with where Randy eventually ended up: those new Federal B.O.R. LOCK MZ™ bullets (or even power-belts) and Black Horn 209 don’t work well with Remington 700ML barrels (because the Remington barrel is a bit bigger and they don’t seal well or at all before the powder starts burning). Blackhorn 209 needs a good solid seal for proper combustion, or it won’t burn and you’ll get a blooper. This was known and well established. Randy eventually proves this, but fails to admit his own lack of understanding at the begining.
I guess I failed him, by not insiting he followed a certain test plan: I left it up to him and in the end it sort of burnt me while illustrating Randy’s quirks too. BOTTOM LINE: WATCH THE ENTIRE VIDEO
After Randy fires those first two shots he uses sabots and Blackhorn 209. You then can see the true performance of our 209 conversion kit: Sabots and Blackhorn shoot well.
Also the rifle I sent him is not a ringer… its just my deer rifle with a simple fixed 4 power scope. It is the same rifle my dad gave me back in 2002… many years ago. I added a scope and our 209 system. That’s it.
Also, Randy is not shooting my primer/load/bullet/sabot combo, so the rifle is not even sighted in for his load!
Here’s Randy’s video…. Please take the time to read the comments (FYI he blocked/deleted mine)
Note the lack of blow back on the sides of the primer randy shows in the video. I tuned that breech plug to feed and seal the older CCI’s I used in the rifle. Randy used Winchester and Federal primers. Each brand will vary a little and seal in a little differently.
You can read his write up here:
http://randywakeman.com/IgnitionSystemUpgradetotheolderRemington700MLMuzzleloader.htm
To see the same rifle with CCI’s, 120Gr Blackhorn209, 44 cal 240gr XTP’s, green sabots, and zero blow back check out this video: