Sidekick's available now!! NOT!!

[bull b 25-06]

I was calling around to local gunshops here in central Missouri checking prices on the Huntsman s/s. One gunshop said that they will have a shipment of Huntsmans in,and also the Sidekick in about 4-5 days. Was going to get the Huntsman,but will get the sidekick instead. These are supposed to have the new Williams sights.  

later bull b 25-06


Note the date of this thread, the Sidekick has been discontinued for 2008

[jh45gun]

I have not kept up I guess with new models,  what is the side kick and how does it differ from the Huntsman? Prices ect? Jim

[Primer]

bull b 25-06,

Check the sights, as I'm hearing that the first shipments of the Sidekicks will  probably be shipped with the plastic Huntsman sights, untill their (H&R) stock is depleted/or the supply flows from Williams Gun Sight Co.

Just a word of caution if the sights are one of your target features for purchase.
Good to hear that the supply of guns are entering the market though. Lets see,....now what am I going to say this time to convince my wife that I just have to have one? hmmmmm  :roll:

I'm thinking that I'm in big trouble again.

[bull b 25-06]

The Sidekick can shoot MAGNUM loads of 150grains of powder ! Also the action is shorter and a few other things are different. The Sidekick is available in 24" or 26" magnum barrels in s/s or blued. The Sidekick is not registered as a firearm and cannot be fitted with accessory barrels.The price is about $5 more than the Huntsman in both stainless or blued. Just like the Huntsman the Sidekick will be fitted with the plastic sights until they run out.From what I have heard on this site it doesn't sound like the magnum load is necessary. You can go to the NEF site and check out the pictures.
later bull b 25-06

[bull b 25-06]

How are you doing Primer? I know what you mean about the wife thing. Last november I wanted to buy a new deer rifle,but before i did i had to buy her a new sofa that cost about the same amount as my Ruger($630). Now i'm getting a Huntsman stainless steel,but before i could i had to buy her a new double pillow top bed(which i already did). I guess the trade off is not so bad ,as i get to use those things also.The sights are not a concern i will be mounting a small Bushnell Banner scope.

bull b  25-06

[Primer]

   I'm doing fine!   I'm with you on buying "twice" for every gun I have been getting recently.  Used to get away with it though ( I think ??), but now my better half is surely on to me.

It's getting that way when I go to the range for a few hours ( ok,...maybe 3-4) but I mentally know that I better have my chores done first, or very shortly after I get home.  :?

I used to joke about it, but now I find myself actually looking/or thinking about  some good hiding places. :roll:

Best,........Primer

[bull b 25-06]

I've got some of those hiding places also or so i think,and recently my wife has been hounding me about getting cell phones. If we do there goes the peace and quiet(ha ha).Maybe if i get her(us) the cell phones that purchase would justify maybe a 45/70 or both muzzle loader models. It's pretty much hit and miss i never know what i can get her talked into letting me do. Just the other day we were at a Family Pawn (a small pawn shop chain here) and i was looking at a target model Bushmaster(ar-15 type)with a realtree stock. Almost had her sort of convinced until she saw the $985 price tag. It wasn't pretty much end of conversation,and i even tried the "but hunny the Colt AR-15 costs $1400 this one is cheap". Oh but no that tactic didn't work,but anyways i tried.
 :-D  :-D  
later bull b 25-06

[MSP Ret]

I know what you guys mean, I was looking at a bushmaster similar to my nieghbors but saw a Panther Arms Lo Pro in .223 for only $799, .5 MOA out of the box, what a deal! But sadly no deal for now. The great thing about these H&Rs is they all basically look the same, the wives sometimes confuse them for guns you had had for a long time!!!  Now I wonder where she got the idea I have had that a long time? Of course another good thing about them is the price, you can afford to buy one for you AND one for the wife!!!....<><.... :grin:

[MSP Ret]

bull b 25-06, regarding which ML, the Huntsman or the Sidekick I guess it all depends if your home state and the states you ML hunt in allow the Huntsman. I personally do not think the magnum loads of 150 grains of powder are needed. Most accurate loads are usually  below the 100 grain level anyway and 100 grain and below loads are up to cleanly taking all North American game. Make a good shot with 100 grains behind the proper bullet for the game and its all over. If your state dos not allow the Hunstman because it is classed as a "firearm" by the feds then the Sidekick makes sense (ala Massachusetts!! ). If not, why not get either a Huntsman barrel for your current frame or get a complete Hunstman and have the ability to get add additional barrels later, a no brainer it seems, also I have read the Hunstman is about $5.00 cheaper. As far as the barrel length, the Sidekick comes either 24" or 26" available (I think) but I have found most ML's are easier to carry through the woods with the shorter barrels and have cut down the barrel length of many of mine to 20" with no noticable loss of accuray or power. Whichever one you chose you will not be wrong, just buy the one (or Huntsman barrel) that YOU like and want, that will assure your satisfaction, shoot straight, be safe and have fun....<><.... :grin:

[bull b 25-06]

Thanks for your reply MSP Ret. Here in Missouri they do allow ML that are classified as firearms. I think i will go with the Huntsman s/s,and later add a 20 guage barrel for rabbit and small game birds :sniper: . That way when my son gets older (5 now)he will have a scatter gun to learn on. The Sidekick is a great deal for those that can't use the Huntsman. I also read an interesting article in Shooting Times magazine about sighting your ML in 3" high at 100 yards using the Hornady 250 gr. -300gr. sabots,and you will have a good 200 yard gun. Even at that distance the bullet will slam them like a train :shock: . I,ve been reading alot of guys on here favoring a powder charge of 80-90 grains of Triple 7. I also learned yesterday that the new Triple 7 is sulfur free which means no corrosion :lol: . That is a good deal to me. Does anybody know how many 100gr. shots you can get out of a pound of powder. I was going to go for the convenient pre-formed Triple 7 but the price is rediculous. I think i am going to use only Hornady sabot slugs ,and will try all the different types they have.

[hellacatcher]

Guys I have said this before you tell the better half   that they are single shot guns use them once and you have to get another one. :-)

[Primer]

:-D    :-D

Nice try hellacatcher. Trouble is, my wife is a little smarter than I am. Took a dent in my pride and more than a few years of marriage to figure this out/admit it. :roll:

[deerjackie]

7000 grains in a lb 

[Keith Lewis]

The Sidekick can shoot MAGNUM loads of 150grains of powder ! Also the action is shorter and a few other things are different.


The Huntsman with the 26 inch barrel can shoot 150gr. loads also just like the Sidekick. Most Huntsmans will accept a shotgun barrel but not a rifle barrel. I think the correct action to accept them all is one of the ones that are sold as a rifle to start with and I think the designation of that action is SB2. I have a 26 inch barrel Huntsman and the owners manual shows loads up to 150gr. I also agree that loads that high are not required and usually do not produce the best accuracy.