Author Topic: New SS Sidekick w/26" barrel (Read 1738 times)

Busta · « **on:** June 12, 2004, 07:21:36 AM »

Has anyone ever dealt with Cliffs Gunsmithing? He has some new Sidekicks in stock, 26" in SS and 24" in blued.

What are the prices of the new Sidekicks in your area?

http://www.cliffsgunsmithing.com/Catalog_NEF_ML.htm

Jim M · « **Reply #1 on:** June 13, 2004, 11:30:18 AM »

I'm surprised that they aren't more available since they can be mail ordered. I've been keeping my eyes open for one but I guess I will have to order it through a local dealer.

MSP Ret · « **Reply #2 on:** June 13, 2004, 02:14:26 PM »

If I remember correctly the blued one I saw was $159.95....<><.... :grin:

Warthog · « **Reply #3 on:** June 13, 2004, 03:10:23 PM »

They're online at Bass Pro Shops.

Busta · « **Reply #4 on:** June 13, 2004, 03:38:33 PM »

Thanks MSP Ret and Warthog,

Well, Bass Pro should sell them by the boat load. They are calling theirs an H&R Sidekick, wonder if they screwed up. I see they are only selling the 26" barreled SS and Blued versions.

[Edited to remove link and reduce the width of this post.]

bubba · « **Reply #5 on:** June 15, 2004, 12:31:55 AM »

I picked one up last night 26 inch blued at my local gun shop for 164.95. I am looking forward to popping it this weekend. If it is anything like the huntsman I will be more than happy

Busta · « **Reply #6 on:** June 15, 2004, 05:10:13 AM »

bubba,

Is it an H&R or a NEF, I have seen them advertised as both? Good luck shooting and how does she lock up? I need another muzzleloader (7 now) like I need a hole in the head, but there is just something about that Sidekick that intrigues me. :wink:

bubba · « **Reply #7 on:** June 15, 2004, 10:11:45 AM »

Busta mine is NEF Just went and checked. I have been waiting for one of these since I first saw it in January in the catalog. Putting the bushnell 3x9x40 on it tonight and see what it does. If not tonight hopefully tomorrow night at the range.

bubba · « **Reply #8 on:** June 15, 2004, 01:28:49 PM »

locks up nice and tight. I got it cleaned up and ready to shoot. I put my scope on an dbore sighted it. Tomorrow night it will be shot I hope

Masterblaster1 · « **Reply #9 on:** June 23, 2004, 04:32:17 AM »

I am looking at buying the new sidekick muzzeloader too, but have a few questions first. When they say "magnum" do they mean it is capable of using 150 grains of powder, if so does the magnum only come in the 26 inch barrel? I am looking a buying the wood stocked and blue version but am confused as to which barrel length is the 150 grain magnum model. Any input would be very helpful, as h and r's website is relatively useless on the subject.

Busta · « **Reply #10 on:** June 23, 2004, 05:12:02 AM »

Masterblaster1,

From what I gather talking to H&R/NEF Customer Service, both are 150 grain maximum. The longer your barrel, the more effective your burn will be. The 26" barreled version wears the Magnum label in the ads that I have seen.

There comes a point where your charge (usually around 120-130grains) is either propellant or ejecta and if you go over that in your given barrel length you reach a point of diminishing returns. The 26" barrel will more efficiently burn the Magnum powder charges if that is what you so desire.

The 26" barreled version is only about $10 more than the 24" barrel. The 24" will be better in the handling, pointability and balance department while the 26" should be beneficial in accuracy and shooting heavier charges. It is all what your personal preference is.

GrampaMike · « **Reply #11 on:** June 23, 2004, 05:55:27 AM »

I am going to get one of the SideKicks also. Where is a good place to get them from? Have not seen them in my area of the country. Thanks Michael.

Buster · « **Reply #12 on:** July 09, 2004, 05:31:15 PM »

Got mine today from Bass Pro Shops. It's a super nice rifle with all the features I like. Bass Pro even let me do a six pay installment on my credit card. LOL you have got to love it. $28.00 per month! Going to shoot it tomorrow and will report back ASAP.

I got the 26" blued version, $172.00 shipped. It balances very well and hangs a little muzzle heavy which is nice for off hand shooting. The recoil pad is soft and flexible, and the trigger is acceptable.

Busta · « **Reply #13 on:** July 09, 2004, 05:46:25 PM »

Buster,

Well I think I already know the answer, but is yours a NEF or a H&R like Bass Pro's ad says they are?:? I thinks someone screwed up that ad.

How do you like the Williams Fire Sights? They have got to be a zillion times better than those cheap plastic ones they used to put on the Huntsmans. :wink:

Busta · « **Reply #14 on:** July 12, 2004, 04:59:36 PM »

Has anyone shot a 26" barreled Sidekick yet? I have been waiting for a report, but it must be a big secret or something. How do you like the Williams Fire Sights? Can somebody give us any information, please?

Buster · « **Reply #15 on:** July 15, 2004, 05:19:15 PM »

I shot it! Sorry not to reply sooner but have been stuck at work 12 hour shifts.

It shoots great! I shot at 45 yards, first shot low and right, sight adjustment put the second and third shots touching in a quarter sized black. This was with 120 grains Goex and no name 245 grain sabots.

The sights seem fine. They are aluminum I believe. The trigger is very very good. Breaks clean with no creep, probably 4 lbs or a hair lighter. Very easy to group with.

Gotta get some more sabots then really wring it out this week.

Oh yeah it is marked "Sidekick" "New England Firearms" "Manufactured in Gardner, MA USA"

The serial # has a "BP" prefix.

Busta · « **Reply #16 on:** July 15, 2004, 06:48:57 PM »

Buster,

Thanks for the range report and information I was looking for, much appreciated.

Buster · « **Reply #17 on:** July 16, 2004, 05:06:10 AM »

Could anyone suggest a heavy lead conical bullet that might shoot well in the Sidekick? I believe it is a 1in28" twist. Bore diameter is .501, groove .510.

jbtazgrabber · « **Reply #18 on:** July 16, 2004, 05:28:06 PM »

im shooting a lead bullet with 80 gr. pyrodex out of a cva and a huntsman with fair to good results butnot as good as people on this forum having with sabots . but my mold is a thomson center bullet that is almost pointed .ive asked your question before and got no replies. im going to try to order a lee 50 cal target bullet mold ,and try it ive used it on 45 and 58 cal before with great results

Busta · « **Reply #19 on:** July 17, 2004, 04:47:13 AM »

Buster,

I have a SS Huntsman that really likes the No Excuses 460 gr conical. They are the .50 cal (.503 actually). They also offer regular .50 cal (.499 or .500) by request. The .503's shoot real good out of the Huntsman with 70 gr 777 FFG. I have shot the 400 gr White Power Punch with ok accuracy but not as good as NE. PowerBelt makes a 405 gr and 444 gr bullet that I have not shot, but the 245 and 295 gr PowerBelts shoot good. The Knight 260 gr PowerBelt's shot excellent with 80-85 gr 777 FFG.

Link to No Excuses, you won't find a better guy to deal with than Dave. Either call him or e-mail him with your order, he will ship them out the next day and you send him a check or money order when you get your bullets. It just doesn't get any easier than that and the bullets are guaranteed. The shipping on my last order was $9.00 for a box of 460 grainers and a box of 495 grainers (the 495's are for my White) from Utah to Michigan. I don't know what shipping is on one box.

http://www.muzzleloading-bullets.com/

Just remember, the Huntsman manual recommends that a conical bullet weigh NO MORE than 470 grains. I don't know what the Sidekick manual recommends.

Buster · « **Reply #20 on:** July 19, 2004, 09:13:29 AM »

My Sidekick manual says conicals to 490 grains are ok. I've purchased some Hornady Great Plains conicals in a 385 grain HB-HP design to try.

bubba · « **Reply #21 on:** July 20, 2004, 12:41:37 AM »

I took my sidekick out last weekend. I have the 26 inch blued. The load it liked was 100 grains of pyrodex rs a hornady green sabot and a .429 240 grain lead bullet I mold myself. It is a lee round nose mold. I also have a bushenll banner 3x9x40 on it. When I got it dialed in I am an inch high at 50 yards and a half inch high at 100. The shots at 100 yards were in a 3 inch group. It is about the same load as my huntsman, but it shoots very well at 80 grains and the rest the same. I am very happy and I doubt my ultra 25-06 will see much field time this year. I hope to hunt all season with the sidekick.