Another Huntsman ?

[257Robt]

O.K., I am most likely going to but a Huntsman muzzleloader, but I haven't seen one in person, so I will have to buy it on blind faith. But, I do have a couple of questions.
1. Are the Huntsman's similar to the Handi-Rifle to carry in the field? (Kinda silly, but I have to ask it)
2. NEF states that  "The proven NEF break-open action protects the primer from the weather and from loss." When the primer is put into place and the action is closed, can the primer become dislodged from "it place?"
3. Are the fiber optic sights fairly durable or is a person better off putting on a scope?
4. Is the telescoping brass rod reliable? Is it possible to break it?

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated since I don't have a rifle to look at in person. I seen the picture of perklo's Huntsman under "Change stocks for a scope to work?" and really like the looks of it. There seems to be alot of positive feedback on the rifle, especially for the price.

[cattleskinner]

Let me try to answer a few of your questions.  Yes, it does carry/ handle alot like a handi-rifle in the field...opens the same, just a little more "front heavy" I guess you could say due to the ramrod being under the barrel...but what muzzleloader isn't?  The primers are enclosed in an orange primer carrier that you put in place much like a shotgun shell...there is a groove cut into the breech that the tab of the primer carrier sticks out of(makes for easy identification that you at least have a carrier in there)...you can find a picture of them on www.hr1871.com, and then look under the accessory section.  I can't answer your question about the sights, as the old ones were prone to break, because they were made of plastic, the new production ones are metal by williams sights.  I wouldn't know of the durability as I scoped the blued one I used to own, and took the sights off when I got it.  The stainless one that I traded my old one in for will have the sights taken off too, as they are plastic, and a 4x simmons pro-diamond will be used instead.  Some people switch their sights out for metal ones, and some have put peep sights on theirs...I just prefer a scope.  The ramrod isn't as bad as most would lead you to believe...yes you have to extend it everytime you want to reload, and it is slow, but as long as you follow the directions of starting the projectile with the ramrod closed, and then finish it extended, you should be all set.  Some people prefer to use a range rod when target shooting, and only use the factory rod when needing a follow up shot in the field.  The tip on it is flat though, so you would need an adapter of some sort for any type of pointed projectile.  You are limited to 100 grains of powder due to the barrel length, but you don't need more than that for any deer I've seen, and your shoulder will thank you anyhow.  For the money, I would recommend it, it's a great value, it's got its quirks, but I can live with them especially when you see how good they shoot.  Any more questions...just holler.

~~~Cattleskinner