Loads/Sabot for Sidekick

[Francis]

I am buying a new Sidekick, stainless this weekend. I have read the pros and cons of this weapon, and the bottom line is that I own an USH 12 ga. and 45-70 Handi. I feel the craftmanship of these weapons is such that it is no risk, buying my 1st muzzleloader from H&R. In my research, I have come to believe that the Hodgon 777 powder is the way to go. I was wondering if anyone could validate this. Also, was wondering which Sabot bullets people use, and the accuracy they are obtaining. Thanks.

[Busta]

Try the 300 grain Hornady SST or 300 grain T/C Shockwave over 85-90 grains of 777 FFG, might not need to shoot anything else.

[usherj]

I use 90g TS ffg with Barnes 285g spitfires. Spitpatching between shots, I have gotten 3 shot groups ranging from .75 to 1.75 inches. Usually around an inch or a little bigger. I'm very happy with it. I have the 24" bbl with a 4x scope. Good luck

[snicker]

I use 85g APP with 240 grain T/C Cheapshots and can usually get a cloverleaf at 50 yards and usually around an inch to 1.5 at 75 yards.  Not a stiff load by any means and has not failed on deer yet.  My Huntsman is the older model with the 24" barrel and I use the .25 ACP breech plug. 

[coop2564]

Try 95grs T7  with 285gr spitfire or the 245 gr spitfire.  Heck of a bullet.

[Francis]

Thanks for the information. I had read that every maufac. has +/- on the internal dimensions of thier barrels (makes sence). Based on this +/- figures, thier is a web site (have it written down at home, not here) that the owner has that information and makes sabots for the specific ranges of the barrels. I called and he did not have the dimensions for the Sidekick. I will take it, from the replys I received that people have had good luck with the bullets listed. One last question, do you need to use lube on sabots, or will they load dry? Thanks.

[Keith Lewis]

The best way to size your barrel is take a round ball and flatten it out some (hammer, vice etc.). drive it into the barrel with whatever and push it through. I use a wooden dowel. Then measure the Od of the plug. It will give you the actual size of your barrel at the grooves. If it is .500 then you will need some of the thinner sabots. If it is .502-504 then most anything will work. My Omega measures .500 exactly and is difficult to load anything other than the thinner sabots and the bullets must measure .451 not .452.

[coop2564]

Do not lube your sabots.  Some use bore butter patch in barrel and then a dry patch and then load sabot but even that is not recomended by most it can cause pressure inconsistencys and affect your accuracy slightly.

[vabowhntr]

I also shoot the T/C Cheapshot sabots ($1.88 per 20 at BPS last fall!) with 85 gr Pyrodex P.  At 131 yards I was getting 3 shoot groups of 2 - 2 1/2 inches.  I love this thing.  Make sure you clean it fast though.  Can't leave it as long as my other stainless muzzleloaders.  Oh, and the cheapshots did very well on 2 deer last fall.

[Keith Lewis]

I just slugged my Huntsman and the barrel is a lot bigger than my T/C Omega. It measures .504 at the grooves so anything should work in that barrel. From what I gather most of the Huntsman or Sidekick barrels are near that size.