Author Topic: Well.....I got a SideKick....now to figure out what to do with it..LOL (Read 1366 times)

RealEstateBiker · « **on:** July 03, 2009, 06:45:25 PM »

Got this the other day...looking forward to learning. Looks unfired, wood in great shape. Missing the hammer spur..dangit...

Can someone look at the pics and tell me something about this? I am trying to find out production, going to call and ask about serial number. .50 cal, has standard primer plug (going to replace) and all info from new.

bubba · « **Reply #1 on:** July 04, 2009, 08:46:23 AM »

your photos are not showing up. First thing I would do is order the MU breech plug from Nick Allen. You will need to determine if it is 5/8 or 7/8. Then get a good range rod, but order the hubbard rod from hubbard's outdoor products. You wil find the info in the stickies here. Then personally I use triple 7 loose 3f. I shoot 85 grains of loose with a 240 grain lead bullet in a harvestor sabot. Deer sized game fall quickly with this load. I also have a bushnell 3x9x40 scope on mine. When it comes to deer hunting, it is my go to muzzleloader over my t/c encore, omega and scout. It is easy to handle, light weight and shoots remarkably well.

RealEstateBiker · « **Reply #2 on:** July 04, 2009, 10:20:10 AM »

Sorry about the pictures, I was doing some organization on photobucket last night and moved the pics, thus rendering the images inoperable.

I am learning....and have got some good info from some friends....this looks addicting.

Picked up this stuff today...

mannyrock · « **Reply #3 on:** July 04, 2009, 11:18:43 AM »

It's a nice BP rifle.

However, removing the breech plug after the rifle has been scoped, is a real pain in the butt! You only have enough clearance to turn the wrench about 1/8th of a turn before you have to re-set the wrench. So, my solution is, after I have burned alot of rounds sighting it in, I pull and clean the breech plug thoroughly, but never pull it again unless I have to sight in again. My brother has not pulled his in 4 years, but never has a problem with misfires. He just dumps alot of solvent down the bore when he is cleaning the rifle, and lets it drip out of of the plug hole for a long time.

You will hear alot about how bad the ram rod is, that comes with the rifle. The key is, keep it in its compact position when seating the bullet in the bore, and also when starting the bullet down the bore. Only open the rod up (telescope it out) for the final ramming down the bore. It works fine.

Personally, I use a big utility ram rod, with a T handle, for loading all of my bp guns while sighting in, or practicing from the bench. I also use it for loading the first round when I go out hunting. I only use the carry rod of the rifle if I have to reload out in the field while hunting, which is very rare.

By the way, the Huntsman is really well balanced. I think you will really like it. A lot of gun for the money!

Personally, I use a heavy .45 caliber slug, in a plastic sabot, and only shoot about 70 grains of Goex. It really loads easily, is accurate, and shoots with mild recoil, and I believe that I have the functional equivalent of a .45-70 rifle. Fine for deer out to 150 yards. Don't fall into the "he-man" trap of thinking you have to shoot 90 and 100 grain loads. You absolutely don't.

Also, I like to use hollow points for hunting, because if I don't shoot the rifle, then the rifle is very easy to unload (without removing the breech plug), by just putting a worm on your ramrod, pulling the bullet, and shaking the powder out of the muzzle end. Most times, I will then fire a cap, to flare out (ignite) any powder residue that may still be down in the barrel, and run two quick wet patches of BP solvent down the muzzle. I've never had any problems. (It sure beats "shooting a tree" at the end of the day.)

Regards,

Mannyrock

mannyrock · « **Reply #4 on:** July 04, 2009, 11:24:02 AM »

P.S.- Sorry I referred to your guns as a Huntsman. It's a Sidekick, which is what I have as well.

P.S.S.- I may be mistaken, but I think that NEF stopped making the Sidekick last year. SO, get out there and buy about 10 packages of those orange plastic primer inserts now, before they become a rarity. Also, get out their and find that hammer extension as well. I found all of these in one small gunshop that catered to bp shooters, and I got it all.

Regards,

Mannyrock

quickdtoo · « **Reply #5 on:** July 04, 2009, 12:17:49 PM »

H&R Hammer extensions are made by Uncle Mike's, #2456 for about $8.

Tim

http://www.opticsplanet.net/uncle-mike-s-hammer-extensions-for-a-better-grip.html

Busta · « **Reply #6 on:** July 04, 2009, 12:36:51 PM »

Quote from: mannyrock on July 04, 2009, 11:24:02 AM

P.S.- Sorry I referred to your guns as a Huntsman. It's a Sidekick, which is what I have as well.

P.S.S.- I may be mistaken, but I think that NEF stopped making the Sidekick last year. SO, get out there and buy about 10 packages of those orange plastic primer inserts now, before they become a rarity. Also, get out their and find that hammer extension as well. I found all of these in one small gunshop that catered to bp shooters, and I got it all.

Regards,

Mannyrock

Or, just get a good breech plug and ditch the orange primer carriers altogether. Works for me. You will also have a hex head to allow you to use a socket w/extension for easy removal.

Doug B. · « **Reply #7 on:** July 04, 2009, 02:54:02 PM »

Quote from: Busta on July 04, 2009, 12:36:51 PM

Quote from: mannyrock on July 04, 2009, 11:24:02 AM

P.S.- Sorry I referred to your guns as a Huntsman. It's a Sidekick, which is what I have as well.

P.S.S.- I may be mistaken, but I think that NEF stopped making the Sidekick last year. SO, get out there and buy about 10 packages of those orange plastic primer inserts now, before they become a rarity. Also, get out their and find that hammer extension as well. I found all of these in one small gunshop that catered to bp shooters, and I got it all.

Regards,

Mannyrock

Or, just get a good breech plug and ditch the orange primer carriers altogether. Works for me. You will also have a hex head to allow you to use a socket w/extension for easy removal.

I use a six point nut driver to remove my plug. It's easy to tote in my "possibles" bag and CHEAP!

coop2564 · « **Reply #8 on:** July 05, 2009, 03:10:30 AM »

If u use T7 u need to loosen the breech plug about every 5 shots or u may never get it out u will also need to swab between shots to keep the dreaded crud ring out. Just get some Black horn power and use Nick's BP and be happy best extra 15$ u will spend. Takes all the elbow grease out of ML'ing!

Busta · « **Reply #9 on:** July 05, 2009, 05:00:30 AM »

Quote from: Doug B. on July 04, 2009, 02:54:02 PM

I use a six point nut driver to remove my plug. It's easy to tote in my "possibles" bag and CHEAP!

Doug B.,

I do the same thing shooting BH209, but if you shoot 777 you will want/need the extra leverage that a socket and wrench gives you to free your plug.

mannyrock · « **Reply #10 on:** July 05, 2009, 11:55:22 AM »

Guys,

I love those orange primer carriers. You can carry two or three of those things in your pocket, with the primer already affixed, and when it comes time to prime the rifle, you just pull open the action, pop one of the orange carriers in it, and close the action. You can easily do it in the dark. No fooling with loose caps, or "cappers," or trying to shove caps onto a nipple.

I get about 20 shots out of each orange carrier before it melts down. So, I doubt I'll use up more than 30 or so in my lifetime.

Best,
Mannyrock

Doug B. · « **Reply #11 on:** July 05, 2009, 03:29:30 PM »

I have three of the carriers left after I got my new plug. Two slightly used and one brand new. I can't bear to throw them out. Also have the old breach plug. I am nearing the point where I might consider giving them all away because I like Nick's new plug that much and certainly do not miss the blow back and crud that I once knew was necessary to get off my breach and out of my bore A.S.A.P. Not to mention the accuracy I've achieved with my Huntsman. Between the BH209, Hornady 245gr. sabotts, Nick's plug and the Federal 209A primers.....It just does not get any better for me.

RealEstateBiker · « **Reply #12 on:** July 06, 2009, 03:15:02 AM »

You could always donate them to a new SideKick owner....I have about 5 that came with the MLer.

snapcrackpop · « **Reply #13 on:** July 06, 2009, 03:34:23 AM »

RealEstateBiker,
Since you have the 4-in-1 powder measure I don't think you will need the bullet seater. I have the 4-in-1 and it works great for bullet seating, plus it's already in your hand!

I've GOT to pick up some BH209 powder, but what do I do with my nearly full bottle of loose T7 powder?

Doug B. · « **Reply #14 on:** July 06, 2009, 10:20:07 AM »

Quote from: snapcrackpop on July 06, 2009, 03:34:23 AM

I've GOT to pick up some BH209 powder, but what do I do with my nearly full bottle of loose T7 powder?

I'm sure there's somebody out there that will be more than happy to help you get rid of it!

bubba · « **Reply #15 on:** July 06, 2009, 03:09:41 PM »

If it wasnt such a pain to ship I would buy it but shipping would be more than the pound cost.

quickdtoo · « **Reply #16 on:** July 06, 2009, 04:25:18 PM »

That's IF a mere mortal could ship it, hazmat can't be shipped by unlicensed individuals, it's not like shipping ammo. $:-\$

Tim

bubba · « **Reply #17 on:** July 07, 2009, 12:24:26 AM »

and i dont even rank up to mere mortal lol

RealEstateBiker · « **Reply #18 on:** July 10, 2009, 06:04:52 PM »

Oh...man...THIS THING ROCKS!!!

It is a great shooter! Pretty accurate and I put my first 3 shots in a group no bigger than 2.5".....a little low, but I blame that on the scope not being zeroed.

Put 7 rounds through it, shooting 85 gr Pyrodex RS, 300gr Hornady with sabot at 50 yards.

OneOfSix was with me and got a shot through it as well....I think he might be hooked...LOL

But MAN....Pyrodex stinks! That is some rotten egg smelling stuff.

I have found a great MLer and think it is going to be a keeper!

bubba · « **Reply #19 on:** July 11, 2009, 01:40:06 AM »

there is no doubt they are a keeper. Out of the ones I own, which include a t/c encore a t/c omega a t/c scout a t/c new englander and hawken, a huntsman and sidekick, I like the H&R guns the best as far as handling, balance and by far accuracy. It is a good gun to start with and only gets better with the tweaks like the mu plug and hubbarda rod.