Author Topic: New Sidekick owner, couple of questions (Read 834 times)

JerryS · « **on:** January 02, 2005, 07:45:06 AM »

I have spent many late evenings reading this forum and the Modern muzzleloading forum to prepare my entry into inline muzzleloading. Thanks for all the valuable info. It helped me purchase my first inline, a Sidekick. Only have 3 questions now, probably many more once I start shooting.

I plan on using loose pyrodex rs and either the 245 gr or 295 gr powerbelts when hunting. Can you recommend an inexpensive bullet for sighting the gun in (and range fun) that would compare to the trajectory of the powerbelts? Of course I would tweak the sights to the powerbelts after the preliminary sight-in.

I see that T/C sells 209 primer snap caps. Are these necessary to prevent damage when dry firing the sidekick?

I saw in discussions here about walnut replacement stocks from Gunstocks Inc. for the handi rifle. Will these fit the sidekick? I am only interested in the stock, not the forearm. Not planning on doing anything now, but who knows maybe later.

Thanks for the info.

Jerry

Busta · « **Reply #1 on:** January 02, 2005, 08:17:43 AM »

JerryS,

Welcome to the board.

T/C sells what they call "Cheap Shots", it mimicks the XTP in size and weight. They should get you very close and can be bought at Wally World, probably on clearance right now since most of the seasons are over. Also you can buy sabots in bulk and buy the pistol bullets seperately.

The 209 snap caps are a new one on me, but would be avery good idea if you want to dry fire your rifle. I have never had a problem with a firing pin breaking (knock on wood) in any of my H&R/NEF's but have heard of a few breaking with just one dry fire. Do you have a link to the 209 snap-caps?

Any of the H&R/NEF stocks should fit your sidekick, but the forearm would not due to the spacing between the barrel lug and the receiver being longer on the Sidekick and the forend would not have a place for the ramrod.

JerryS · « **Reply #2 on:** January 02, 2005, 02:36:49 PM »

Busta,

Thanks for your help. I tried to find the snap caps online, but had no luck. I saw them at Gander Mountain yesterday. I thought they were a T/C product, but not sure now. They were not like other spring loaded snap caps, just a piece of brass shaped like a 209 primer. Since they came in a package of ten for 3.99, I wonder if each cap was only good for 1 dry fire. That would get expensive real quick.

Jerry

Busta · « **Reply #3 on:** January 02, 2005, 03:24:23 PM »

JerryS,

Just thought of something, Maybe you could take a pencil eraser out of a pencil and insert it into a primer carrier and use that to dry fire your Sidekick. Might have to cut it to fit, but it should give enough resistance to not hurt anything. I'll have to give that a try myself. I think I read that one before on this forum, but I have a case of CRS so I am not really sure. :?

MSP Ret · « **Reply #4 on:** January 02, 2005, 03:54:11 PM »

, Welcome aboard JerryS, If you have any H&R/NEF questions this is the place to come to get them answered. Whatever it is someone here will know the answer, and if they don't they will take the time to find out for you and let you know the answer. A bunch of great guys. Glad your here to become one of us, a big happy family of sorts....<><....

JerryS · « **Reply #5 on:** January 03, 2005, 05:27:11 PM »

Thanks for the welcome, guys. Just a quick follow-up. I was at Gander Mountain and saw the 209 primer snap caps again. They are a Traditions product (not on their website though). It is a package of 25 for 3.99. Package says "made of solid brass for long life". Wonder why you would need 25 then.

I'm going to try Busta's idea of using a pencil eraser. Should work just fine.

Jerry