No Excuses Bullets

[JRSR126]

I was going to buy the No excuses bullets for my 24" Huntsman. They have (2) 50 cal bullet weights; 460 gr and 495 gr. I noticed that 460 grain with 503 diameter was mentioned here as a good bullet for the sidekick. Any one use the 495 gr and what diameter. I only want to buy one bullet and prefer to shoot the heavier one. I was thinking since they are so close in weight, they shoot the same. Also does the felt between the bullet and powder help at all??? Anyone try it both ways with and without the felt?? Hunting use will be short range deer (<100 yds) and hog so probably going with 70 -90 grains of Pyrodex.  Thank you.

[Busta]

JRSR126,

First thing you want to do is make sure your Sidekick is rated for a 495gr conical. My Huntsman has a maximum recommended weight of 470gr conical and 80gr powder charge. I remember somebody saying the Sidekick max is a little higher, 490gr maybe?

With a 1-28 twist, I am not sure you will get a very long conical to stabilize. Most of the 495's and up shoot better in 1-24 twist barrels like my White. That said, the 460's shoot good out of my Huntsman. I have never shot anything heavier out of it. My 1-24" White will shoot up to a 600gr conical.

Just remember when shooting all lead conicals, you don't NEED a lot of powder 60 to 80 grains is plenty. The felt wads will definitely improve groups in some rifles, you will have to find that out for yourself. The wads do cut down on leading and will let you push the bullets a little faster usually. Either of the bullets should work well enough at ranges <100 yds, and is plenty medicine for anything in North America.

If you get the No Excuses, get the .503's that are standard. These fit well in the Huntsman, slip-fit with light engraving on the way down. These will obturate into the rifling at ignition of the powder charge. These are some of the best conicals out there, and I have shot plenty. If you order 2 boxes of conicals at NE, you will save a little on shipping. Do you have a link to No Excuses site?

Let me know what your max loads are for the Sidekick, please?

[JRSR126]

Busta,

Thanks for the advice, forgot about the Owners Manual. I have a huntsman and my manual does say 80 grains of powder and 470 gr bullet max so I will order the 460 gr bullet. I got the website address from another post.

[Busta]

JRSR126,

You know, I just had a complete physical and my eyes were 20-20 and 20-15, but for some reason I thought I read Sidekick in your first post. :oops:  Must have been a little tired and should have been sleeping at that hour. :roll:  

The Huntsman Manual does state these loads are for maximum accuracy and that they are not actually maximum loads, but they fail to tell you just what the maximum is. So, after further review of my manual, I have come to the conclusion that it would be up to the user. I really think the 495's are getting into the 1-24" twist guns anyway. Good luck in what ever you decide.

[english]

JRSR126:

I am shooting 80grs. 777 with a 495gr NO EXCUSES bullet in my Sidekick. I do use an over powder patch.

The gun will group at 2.00 inches consistently at 50 yds.

I have not shot the lighter NO EXCUSES yet but assume that they would do equally well.

These bullets are great!

Jim

[sharkhunter]

I shot a deer year before last with the 54 cal. no excuse in my Great Plaines Rifle with a 1 in 32 twist and it shot great. I really didn't think that SWC style bullet would do the damage that it did. They are killers and the heavy bullet will probably shoot just fine for you in the 1 in 28" twist. Buy a box of both and shoot what shoots the best. I was shooting 777 powder in the Lyman.

Good shooting,
Dave

Sharps made the west safe for Winchester!