You want to be sure to use the included ramrod per the instructions.....first load the bullet down as much as possible without extending, then extend and finish seating. Sort of a pain in the rear but good enough for most field reloading. H&R could remedy most of the complaints by using a different mount for the forearm, one that would let the ramrod slide through and gain several inches of ramrod in the process. The length gained would enable loading without an extension in a pinch and a simple T-handle would do the trick for other uses.
The factory sights are made of synthetic and easily broken or the adjustment screws stripped. Other than that, they work. :-)
The breech plug and tool could both stand improvement, but the tool dearly needs it. The HR1871 Huntsman forum offers several methods to improve the tool for better function. (I'm going to try the Tetra grease on the breech plug). I too made a couple of tools for use on the plug but the solution would be for HR/NEF to provide a decent one in the first place.
Other than the breech plug tool and the flimsy, too-short ramrod, and the sights which don't matter that much to me as I use a scope, my only other real complaint is the design of the hammer. Seems they only know how to make one claw-type hammer that sticks up far too high for ease of scope mounting.
The SS model I own has one of the best factory triggers I've encountered - excellent! The little rifle handles recoil amazingly well, far better than an Omega did in my hands. It is quick handling, lightweight enough to really make a difference at the end of a long day, and most seem to do well with any number of different loads. The barrel is quality and incorporates a very shallow cone-type of crown that works well for loading AND for accuracy.
If you buy one and intend to scope it, I highly recommend the H&R scope base and hammer extension which costs $22 to your door (last I knew).
There is no rifle out there that couldn't stand improvement in one area of design or another, everything is a compromise - but the compromises H&R made on this Huntsman are offset by a good, solid basic design, a decent trigger, a quality barrel, and mostly by great performance. My second attempt at working up a load was my last. 400 grain PR Bullet Ultimate 1 conicals went into 1&3/8" at 100 yards. That sort of accuracy seems fairly common based on feedback at the talk forum.
H&R/NEF could make a few simple changes that would vastly improve the rifle's usability and I think most buyers would not resent a few dollars increase in the price tag (if needed). Most changes would amount to little in additional production cost and in some cases maybe even cost less. Meanwhile, at about $140 for blue and $220 or so for stainless - it's hard to be upset with the rifle as is.
And, it's made right here in the good ol' USA.
