New Huntsman Owner-Need Load Recommendations

[Gunner343]

I'm the proud owner of a new Huntsman and need a little guidance. The barrel did not come with a manual, I need to know the Max. loading so I don't blow myself up.  I'm planing on investing in a MU breech plug. I would like to shoot pelletized (Triple 7's or Hot hots) powder and 250-300 grain sabots. If someone could post a good load combination to start out with, I would appreciate it. 

[Doug B.]

Gunner.......Welcome to the forum and enjoy!

If you haven't taken the time to pick this forum apart, I would if I were you. Here you will find a wealth of information from people that are passionate with the Huntsmans. No "leaves" have been unturned and anything that ignites and/or has been pushed out a barrel has been discussed. I settled on the BH209 powder and Hornady XTP sabots after experimenting with numerous brands and will never shoot anything better than the BH209 unless something better might come along. Right now no reason to switch.

By the way....where did you pick up your Huntsman?

[LHitchcox]

Just a note to the previous post. Blackhorn 209 will not ignite properly with the primer carriers that come with the gun. You will need to get the replacement breech plug that is written up on this forum. For the standard factory plug and primer carriers, shoot loose 777 and the bullet/sabot of your choice..

[Doug B.]

He did mention that he was getting the MU plug.

[Busta]

Gunner343,

Welcome to the forum!

First we need to establish what year your Huntsman barrel was manufactured? I have a 2003 NEF Huntsman with a 24" barrel and 7/8" breech plug. I also have a 2004 NEF Sidekick with a 24" barrel and 7/8" breech plug, and a 2008 H&R Sidekick with a 26" barrel and a 5/8" breech plug. Does your Huntsman barrel have a 5/8", or 7/8" breech plug, a 24" or 26" barrel? If it has a 5/8" breech plug, we know it is newer than a 2004, if it has a 7/8" breech plug, we know it is a 2004 or older. The only year these had 26" barrels with 7/8" breech plugs was 2004.

The Huntsmans newer than 2004 should have a newer Owners Manual with updated information similar to the Sidekicks. If someone has a Huntsman Owners Manual with a newer printing than 2/02, PLEASE post a picture in this thread. You would be safe going by my 2/02 picture of recommended loads, because they were increased in 2004 through the last year of production. The Huntsman rifles were actually discontinued around 2006, but barrels were available through the barrel program up until just a few months ago.

READ THE RED PRINT IN THE PICS IF YOU CAN, THIS SITE REALLY MESSES UP THE CLARITY OF THE PICS BY REDUCING THEIR SIZE SO THEY APPEAR DISTORTED

Here is a picture of my 2003 Huntsman recommended loads, the printing date on the back of the Owners Manual is 2/02. Disregard the .45 caliber information, that barrel unfortunately never made it to production. I would love to have a .45 cal H&R/NEF barrel with a 1:20 twist, I have a Knight and a White with that twist.





Here is a picture of my 2004 & 2008 Sidekick recommended loads, the printing date for both Owners Manuals is 4/04. Keep in mind that the 2004 is a 24" with a 7/8" breech plug, while the 2008 is a 26" with a 5/8" breech plug.

[Gunner343]

Thanks for the quick response. I was lucky and got one of the last new barrels available. Its the 26" model with the 5/8 breech plug. I've been lurking on the forum for awhile, and the amount of information you guys post is astonishing. I want to start out slow and work up a good deer load for out to 150 yards.

[coop2564]

My favorite load in mine is 100 grs BH with 285 gr barnes spitfire. It does well with the bonded SW 300 gr also.