.58 Huntsman

[PHATINJUN]

Any of you have one of these? I just got one paid $135 for complete gun and it is in perfect shape not even a crude ring! Got many ? about this gun. When I took it apart the plug popped right out with a little poke of the ramrod and "O" ring is fine breech plug apears to be chrome plated with H&R stamped on the end. One thing that puzzles me is the talk of the breech plug shooting out when you have a misfire and open breech to soon this breech plug will not come out all the way without the bbl coming off the frame and I have made sure that gun is broke open all the way the gun was made in 1973 was this after the breech plugs were said to be hitting folks in the forehead? It seems to have a #10 nipple that I was able to find a supply of. Gonna use a FFG powder with 380gr and 405gr maxi ball-ets from Buffalo any suggestions on charges thought I'd start at 60gr.Any one know offhand what the twist was in this bbl? Don't have a .58 cleaning jag yet to measure with. Was there any other bbls that would fit this frame as it has a very narrow bbl lug design and I don't have any other "old" bbls to try. Maybe like smooth bore shotgun ML or some of the other shotguns of that era? What yr did they start using plastic on these guns. thanks Kurt

[Alias]

I had one of these. They were being "cleared out" and I found out why. Every third shot the action opened from the recoil. I never wound up with a "breechplug in the forehead" (else I wouldn't be responding) but I got rid of it because i didn't want to push my luck. Since then,  they changed to a threaded plug in newer guns.

[Hammerspur]

Here's my .58 Huntsman:


1 turn in 66", good results with 80-100 gr. powder loads  & PRB... never tried minies or maxis.
Pre transfer-bar action (Ser # AM)
Push-in breechplug that easily knocks out with ramrod when action is open.
It came with a #11 nipple, but is easily converted to 209 (Hubbards) or musket cap (T/C) ignition which eliminates hang-fire risks,
AND the Huntsman's fat firing pin works flawlessly on either of those primers
I also modified the forward end of the plug for better seal of blowby from the standing breech.
NEVER had the breech open on firing.

The original '70's era .45 cal, .58 cal and 12 ga. Huntsman bbls. were all of that narrow lug & correspondingly narrow frame mortise design.

Re-check this thread for more:

http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,133215.msg1098502966.html#msg1098502966

Steve