Range Report, Huntsman and USH

[rlelvis]

  Range report, VERY happy, thought I would share. Long though

So I picked up a new NEF huntsman this year, put a Bushnell Ellite 3200 1.5-4.5 on it, about 75 passes with JB, and went to the range armed with a fresh can of T7 FF, Barnes 250gr TMZ and 285gr MZ, and some Hunterman Boolets 280gr Spitzer and 287gr Mag-Tip. I spit patched after every round and thoroughly cleaned after every 10. I must say up front that I am not a great shot nor do I get to shoot as much as I should so I consider anything under 2in @ 100 all me and not the gun. I started at 80gr all shot ok but not great (4 to 6in groups with all bullets, Boolets better though), moved up to 90gr and still good but not great (about the same 4 to 6in groups) so I went to 100gr and found that the Boolets’s were now happy (2 to 3in groups), I never could get any better then 4”+ @ 100yds with the Barnes.  I feel that I will get sub 2in groups with a little work on my load and maybe better cleaning between shots, also a good chance I will replace the Bushnell scope too. The target below is 7 shots (one I pulled high right, maybe two) 6 of the Mag-Tip and 1 Spitzer, just to see if it would have the same POI. I shot from a bench but without any real support and the wind was over my right shoulder at 15. For what it’s worth the first shot on a clean barrel was the one that is dead center and timed between the wind gust and like I said anything under 2in is very good for me.
The Bushnell is not a bad scope by any means and seems to be well built and holds zero with very accurate adjustment and good return to zero but not one I am overly happy with. I guess I got suckered by the ‘Fire Fly’ gimmick and figured it would be worth a try the cross hairs just seems a bit thick for my liking. Overall it is a very well made scope and I would not hesitate to buy another in the 3200 or 4200 series just not with the ‘Fire Fly’ gimmick, though it does seem to work as advertised, at least for a few minutes…
The bottom line I am very happy with my new Huntsman the Hunterman Boolets and though I have not used them on game yet have no doubt they will work very well simply based on material and design.
I also picked up a 12ga Ultra Slugger this year (also used JB on it) and after spending more on shells then the gun I found what it likes or should I say LOVES, pic of target attached (supported from a bench, no wind, and cleaned the bore between each shot). This was the best I got, about ¾” @ 100yds, the average was about 1 ¼” @ 100yds, Federal 2 ¾” with 1oz Barnes Sabots. Also I put a scope on this one, a Sightron 1.5-6x42 and really like it, good adjustment, very clear and appears to be well made.
The best part was that the Huntsman out-shot every other muzzleloader  (about 12) at the range and the Slugger out-shot almost all the rifles, 95% for sure.  I think more then one went home with a $1000 rifle or expensive big name Muzzleloader and hurt feelings   ; at least four more went to buy a NEF. 

Long winded but had to share the quality experience with my two most recent NEF’s.

[Busta]

Excellent report! Mark @ Hunterman Boolets makes some fine bullets for sure. The swadged lead bullets are an outstanding choice for hunting and hold together extremely well.

It's a good feeling when you can humble those guys with those expensive rifles and slug guns. It's funny to hear 'em brag about how much they paid for their guns and how they can't understand why someone would want a cheap single shot. After the shootin' is done and the targets are collected, all of a sudden they want to know more about your cheap little single shot. Most have never even shot a H&R/NEF in their life. Funny how a couple $200 guns can gather a crowd around your bench.

I have made a believer out of more than my share of those guys myself, most never thought they would ever own a H&R/NEF. (confession time) Hate to admit it, but I used to be one of those guys. I was spoiled by my dad, an autoloading 22 and an autoloading shotgun were my first two guns. He thought he was doing the right thing, but those autoloaders were a curse more than anything else. They didn't teach patience knowing that you had another shot right there if you missed. I almost always missed on the first shot, because I almost always rushed the first when hunting pheasants. My son started on a 1996 20 ga N.W.T.F. H&R Topper Jr Classic J.A.K.E.S. gun that I bought at a banquet. Best $135 I ever spent. By starting him on that gun, he has NEVER missed a turkey or deer on the first shot even though he has moved to a 870. That little gun started something that I just can't stop. I think they have a word for it, "Handiholic"! Now all those expensive autoloaders and repeaters are all "Safe Queens", and rarely see any action. I wouldn't have it any other way.

[jrkrk]

Great shooting rlevis.  They are both great guns and mine shoot just as good.  You definately get more than your moneys worth  with these guns.

[MI.sabot]

Looks alot like my 12 ga USH pattern with the Barnes 1oz expanders......

[rlelvis]

  Well I tested the Hunterman Boolets today, 75yds, OUTSTANDING terminal performance; small buck but not a bad way to start out a new NEF.  
I forgot to mention it in my inital post but the triiger pull is the best of any I have seen, it is so good I even noticed it in the field, smoooooooth.

MI.sabot I also had good performance with the 3" Federals at 50yds but it seemed to fade at 100yds, could just be me though. Let us know how they do at 100yds.

I also want to try the lighter version, looks to have a better trajectory, but was unable to find them locally, maybe next year.

[Busta]

rlelvis, Congratulations!

[McD]

Nice shooting both at the bench and in the field. Any pics ? more info on the terminal performance distance deer ran if any? pass trough etcThe NEF is one great muzzle loader

[rlelvis]

No pics, not missing anything though...   He classified as a ‘management’ buck, so lopsided I bet he spent his life walking circles. 

The deer dropped where he stood and then got up and stumbled 10 to 12 feet, if that.  It was a pass through, nicked the back of both shoulder blade, scapula, and did a very impressive job on the way through.

Yes the NEF Huntsman is great, except for that dang rod....  sigh.....   If they would rethink the extendable rod and also the design at the muzzle (this might be the only real variation or contributing factor in max potential accuracy) they would have it nailed.  That said though I would not trade it for the finest TC or Knight out there, I have shot both and am sold on the Huntsman. 

[rlelvis]

OK, another deer and a recovered Boolet.   

This was a 225-240lb deer (based on girth charts) and shot at 65yds.  The Boolet was just under the hide and retained 256 of 287 grains and expanded perfectly to about 11/16".  The deer did not drop in its tracks, ran about 20yds, but that was my placement and less then perfect situation and no fault of the Hunterman Boolets accuracy. The bottom line is that this is a quality product and has great terminal performance as very good as accuracy.

No I am not affiliated in any way only a satisfied customer, very satisfied.

Good hunting...

[McD]

Congrads on second deer....sounds like a perfect placed shot a deer dropping is not always indicative of a perfect shot have had runners with perfect shots once blew the heart to bits with a 450 conical that little one and he was little ran 70yrds shot one a few days latter high lung and dropped like a rock.
Whats with the close ranges I thought  in-liners only shot way out there