Acceptable load for .50 caliber Huntsman

[Win 73]

I bought a .357 Magnum Model SB2 Handi Rifle.  I then had a .50 caliber muzzleloader barrel fitted to it by H & R.  So far I have fired the muzzleloader barrel eight times with a load of three 50 grain 777 pellets and a .45 caliber saboted bullet.  Everything worked fine, but a friend of mine told me the 150 grain charge was too heavy for the gun.  Can any one confirm or rebut that statement?

[Busta]

Is it a 24" or 26" barrel? The 26" Sidekick is listed as a MAGNUM (150 grains pellets), my 2003 24" barreled Huntsman is listed as 100 grain maximum (loose powder or pellets). Did you get an owners manual with the Huntsman barrel?

All the new Huntsman/Sidekick barrels are 26". The Sidekick says 150 grain loads are ok, but I have never heard if they list the 26" barreled Huntsman as being capable or not. The barrels themselves are dimensionally identical, it's the lug and receiver area that is different.

This is what it says for my 2003 Pre-Magnum 24" barreled Huntsman. Disregard the .45 caliber stuff on top, they never released those. Note that these are just recommended loads for best accuracy in the 24" barrel.

[Critter]

H & R lists the 26" Huntsman barrels as Magnum.

Barrel 26" (Magnum) (1 in 28" twist) with deep-cut rifling.

http://www.hr1871.com/Firearms/Muzzleloaders/huntsman.aspx

[Busta]

Thanks Critter! It's been a while since I checked the sight, but I see they have it listed under the Huntsman as well now. The 2006 Catalog lists the Sidekick as 26" (Magnum) (1 in 28" twist) with deep-cut rifling and the Huntsman as just 26" (1 in 28" twist) with deep-cut rifling. I was sure they would be (Magnum), but that is the first time I have actually seen it in writing from the Company. Thanks.

Win73,

There you go, if it is a 26" barrel. The only problem is, some magnum powder charges won't fully burn in the shorter tubes. You will have to let the rifle tell you what it likes for a maximum charge.
http://www.hr1871.com/Firearms/Muzzleloaders/huntsman.aspx

[darat100]

I have shot 150gr of 777 in my huntsman, but it is much more accurate with 100.  I have really tried to get moa accuracy out of it, so 1" groups at 50 yards with pellets and open sights is fine with me.  It just isn't worth the extra hassle of loose powder to get that extra little bit of accuracy.  The deer never know the difference!

[Kart29]

I just got my Huntsman barrel delivered yesterday.  I have the 24" stainless barrel.  My manual that came with the barrel shows loads that go up to 120 grains.

[Busta]

I just got my Huntsman barrel delivered yesterday.  I have the 24" stainless barrel.  My manual that came with the barrel shows loads that go up to 120 grains.

Kart29,

Can you please post a pic or scan of the load chart out of your manual? Or if you can't do that could you type in the information? I would like to see that info. Thanks.

[Kart29]

Would be happy to.

Will try to do that when I get to my scanner.

[Kart29]

How's this look?



This is what came with my 24" stainless Huntsman barrel.  But, I can't find anything in the owners manual that identifies or differentiates between the different barrels - 24" or 26".  So, I'm assuming they use the same owners manual for all of their current barrels.