new sidekick

[Bob W.]

gentlemen I'm new to this forum and wanted to let you know that I just purchased a new sidekick.  I was actually looking at  an omega but heard so many good things about this gun from this forum and others that I had to have one.  Although money was not the issue, the omega did not seem to be worth $200+ more than a gun thats easy to clean points very well and is supposed to shoot about as good, plus you don't have to cry if you scratch it.  I also should have listened to the advise of the wise ones as I bought a Weaver base but had to put the H&R base on it as I needed the extra slots on the base to properly adjust my scope.  I have two questions for you all - 1. I put see-through mounts on but can't see my iron sights well due to the highth of the mount on the rail- anyone else have this prob.? 2. what bullets shoot best out of your H&R that are adequate for deer to 150yards. just for your info. I have not yet shot this gun but have used 302grain buffalo sabot in my other muzzleloader - thanks

[Rupe/PA]

Sidekicks are becoming contagious.  Took delivery of a new Sidekick yesterday also.  Have not shot it yet, but will this week.  I am impressed with the quality of fit and the trigger is the best out of the box trigger I have seen as earlier reported by some.  Hope to be able to use 400 grain conicals and will report back later.

[MTNMAN]

Welcome to the Huntsman forum Bob... I posted this last week on the shotgun forum  and it will work for the Huntsman / Sidekick too...

One thing to consider with the see thrus is the bump in the barrel...you might better go with the weaver scope rail(#82 or 88 don't remember off hand)) because it sits lower to the barrel than the standard NEF rail... allowing a better sight picture of the open sites...even though the weaver mount has less cross cuts in it for scope adjustment with the weaver angled see thru ring you'll find you can make up the difference in eye relief... also allows you to mount both rings behind that bump Y style... Just a thought, MTNMAN

The mounts may make the difference

As far as Sabot loads I.ve fpund that 240gr XTP Mag Sabots by T/C seem to work extremely well over 2-50 gr tabs of pyrodex for me...but read on and do a search of the site ...more knowledge here than you an shake a stick at....

You might want to try those mounts with both legs pointed toward the hammer...MTNMAN :wink:

[Bob W.]

just wanted to let you know that I shot my sidekick today - wow! I bore sighted it then took my first shot with a lead saboted bullet that I had setting around I think it was 260 gr. - hit the spot at 50 yards then put in a 302gr. buffalo boatail sabot and hit the spot at 50 yards.  I quit shooting cause it was scary accurate so I will try again later to see if it was a fluke or not. clean up was much easier than my Knight disc and I also have a range rod for cleaning and loading but after playing with the H&R ramrod I think it will be great for hunting.  By the way I had no problem with the removal of the breach plug, I realize 2 shots does not an expert make but I'm tickled pink so far.  thanks for your inputs it helped me a lot.

[JoeLansing]

I quit shooting cause it was scary accurate so I will try again later to see if it was a fluke or not

It probably wasn't a fluke.  I've had 5 muzzle loaders, and the cheapest 3 were the best tackdrivers.  My favorite feature of the cheap (cost effective?) inlines is at the range.  You sit next to the guy with a very expensive Encore, Turbo Mega Blaster 45cal Ultra Mag, etc. using 13 77777 pellets.  You start making one hole in your paper, and he's making 6" groups.  "You say That's sure a nice looking gun!  How much was it?"  hahahaha  

I've sat at the range making 6' groups at 50 yards with one of the early Optimas that was a loozer, so I've been on the other side of the fence also.  A Sidekick or Huntsman is a hard to beat bang for the buck.  Dead president buck, or 8 point..  :grin:

[Rupe/PA]

Took a quick trip to the range today with my new Sidekick.  Haven't been able to get various bullets near me, so took along some TC MaxiHunters and some Trip 7.  Range was really busy at 50 and 100 yards and I had to settle for the 25 yard line, which was OK since I needed to bore sight and sight in.  Am impressed with the Sidekick.  Used 80 grains of loose Trip 7 behind the MaxiHunters and shot one ragged hole.  Sidekick sure handles nice.  Can't wait to do some serious range time and some whitetail.

[bull b 25-06]

I was with a friend last weekend and he was sighting in his new muzzleloader(T.C OMEGA 50 cal.) ,and to this guy money is no object(wish i could say that). This guy brought about $200 worth of different types of bullets for the big bore,and in the end the 250 gr. T.C. SHOCKWAVE SABOTS
reigned supreme behind 100gr. of 777 pellets. he was putting them within 1"1/2 of MOA. He also tried all the different weights of the powerbelts,and they were not bad either.

later bull b 25-06

[Rupe/PA]

Just got back from the range after trying the 365 grain Great Plains bullet in my new Sidekick.  I am even more impressed with the Sidekick than before.  Shot the 365 Great Plains over 90 grains of Pyrudex P; at 50 yards I could cover the first three shots with a penny !!  I'm impressed.  With that load I'm 2 inches high at 50 yards and dead-on at 100 yards.  Anxious for the early season to open here in PA.  Thanks for all the talk on the Sidekick.

[Bob W.]

Rupe, ever shoot anything with those great plains ?  They look good to me but I've never heard anyone talk about their performance on game.

[Rupe/PA]

Bob W  -  No, I have never shot game with the Great Plauns bullet, but hope to give them a try this season.  Bullet sure does look good and the 385 grains is one big hunk of lead.  Hope they don't disappoint.