sidekick ????

[windywhitetails]

Hi,
 I was wondering if someone could explain to me why a sidekick is not considered a firearm like a huntsman? I've heard the sidekick cannot be fitted w/ other barrels, is this true? if so what is done to the gun different that it cannot take other barrels? thanks Roger

[Busta]

The Sidekick has a shorter receiver (distance from standing breach to hinge pin) than the Huntsman. You do not need to fill out a 4473 to buy the Sidekick, you do for the Huntsman. They are both great shooters, just depends what you want?

[45/70fan]

I called about 2 months ago about getting a shotgun barrel fitted to my sidekick and was told I could. I decided not to as I can but the whole gun for $89. A barrel, shipping, and fitting would cost that.

[Busta]

I called about 2 months ago about getting a shotgun barrel fitted to my sidekick and was told I could. I decided not to as I can but the whole gun for $89. A barrel, shipping, and fitting would cost that.

45/70fan,

I don't doubt for a minute thet you were told that, but whoever told you that was wrong UNLESS they are making a MUZZLELOADING shotgun barrel for it. The Sidekick is not sold as a "FIREARM", it is a muzzleloader only and therefore can not be fitted with a standard shotgun barrel. When you purchase a Sidekick you do not have to fill out the 4473 paperwork like you would purchasing any other center fire rifle or shotgun.

I hope that they come out with a muzzleloading shotgun barrel soon, but haven't heard of one yet.

[45/70fan]

I always seem to get that 'snippy' lady when I call. It's like you're bothering her and she just wants to get you off the phone. You are correct about no paper work as I mail ordered mine from Cabelas. I always wondered what the difference was between the huntsman and sidekick. No I know, good job!!

[dundee]

First of all, I am new on this forum. I need an information.
I was given as a gift a rifle muzzleloader Sidekick NEF(.50 cal).
Also read many things recently on black power .
 Instructions booklet was fully read. At the end of winter,end of april
I will use it.  

Recently I tried to push down the barrel a Hornady .45- 240gr XTP
 mag sabot bullet(black sabot)(item 6727). The inside barrel had
 been fully clean.
I had to use both hands, it was really tough.
I feel it does not make sense at all.  

Intend to use pellets of 777 (30 and 50gr). Will never use more
than 110gr of 777. Taking this into account, would it be better
to use the .44-240gr XTP for deer hunting (at a max of 250 feet)

Many of you guys seem to own  the NEF huntman or sidekick.
 I need suggestions.

Thanks,.............Dundee

[Les Staley]

Dundee:  New barrels are full of burrs and sharp edges,  need to be shot a bit to smooth  'em up..  one way to help is to get some JBs non-embeding bore cleaner, and  "clean" the barrel,  (in effect lapping out some of the roughness.)  Some recomend 100 strokes..  I always swab my clean barrel with a patch with wonder-lube, and it eases loading.. I have had success with two 50/50 pyrodex pellets under a 250gr shockwave   50/451 bullet..  I clean with a wet patch (Fantastic) and dry between shots while targeting,  carry a few patches lubed with wonderlube while hunting,, swab once, turn patch over, swab again,  load.. (killed the second deer out of a small herd doing that)   HTH.. Les

[dundee]

Les Staley, bonjour,

Thanks for your very helpful comments. I made a copy of your long paragraph and will follow your suggestions. Cleaning seems to be
the key to SUCCESS.

In early May and June my friend and I, will do a little practicing with
this special new rifle.Will try to find the right bullet using a normal
charge of 777(pellets) without exceeding 100 or 110gr.

Thanks again and have a nice afternoon..................Dundee