Thinking about trying a new Muzzle Loader

[kylongbeard]

I am somewhat new to this forum, so bare with me.  I bought my first NEF gun last spring (10 Gauge SB2) for turkey hunting in KY.  I absolutely love this thing.  Have bagged 4 birds in 5 shots.  Easy to clean and very dependable shotgun.  Now I'm thinking about buying a new muzzle loader to replace my Knight that I've used ror 10+ seasons.  I'm just tired of the cleaning process.  I truly love the idea of simply breaking it open to expose the breach plug.  Seems like cleaning would be a breaze!  How accurate are these NEF guns?  What models do I have to choose from and what are the differences in the models?  Do any of them come in full camo?  I usually shoot 260 grain hollow point sabots and 100 gr of 777 pellets.  I've had good luck with my Knight but as mentioned above, can't stand cleaning the thing

Thanks in advance for any input!

Longbeard     

[Keith Lewis]

Since you already have the shotgun action you could get a Huntsman .50cal. muzzleloading barrel for the action you already have. Check with H&R/ NEF. They can tell you what is required. I suspect with switching from shotgun to muzzleloader you likely won't even have to send the action in since the only reason they want the actions sent  in is to qualify headspace which is not a problem with the muzzleloading barrel as I see it. Check the price as you also might find it almost as cheap to buy a Sidekick or Huntsman complete. I just got a Huntsman and have not had a chance to shoot it yet; however, the feedback from other owners have all been very positive. I am even considering using the Huntsman in place of my Omega this fall as I got drawn for elk. I have to shoot it first but I expect it to perform very well.

[Critter]

NEF will not fit a muzzleloader barrel barrel to the SB2 shotgun action.  It is different from the SB2 rifle action.  They also will not just send you the barrel, it has to be sent to be fitted.

They are available in Blue/wood and stainless/synthetic.  Cabelas also has a stainless/camo model that they sell.

[quickdtoo]

Critter said it right!! Walmart has about the best prices I've seen on the Sidekick and Huntsman.

Tim

http://www.walmart.com/search/browse-ng.do?ic=20_0&ref=125872.246459+500500.4294044057


http://www.hr1871.com/Support/accessoryProgram.aspx

[Keith Lewis]

That is interesting if true since the Huntsman can be fitted with a shotgun barrel but not a rifle barrel. I verified that with NEF. And in the case of going from the muzzleloader to the shotgun barrel it has to be sent in because that situation requires headspace confirmation. Where did the information that they would not fit a muzzleloading barrel to the SB2 shotgun action since the Huntsman is an SB2 action to begin with?

[quickdtoo]

Keith, IIRC the SB2 shotgun frame is wider to accomodate the 10ga barrel, it can only be fitted with the 10ga or USH barrels.

Tim

[Critter]

There are 2 shotgun actions, the SB1 which is what most shotguns and the Huntsman are built on, and the SB2 which is the 10 ga barrels and 12 ga Ultra Slug Hunter action.  To confuse things further the rifle action is also called an SB2 but it is NOT the same as the SB2 shotgun action. 
H&R will put a shotgun barrel on a Huntsman and vise versa as long as they are on the SB1 shotgun action.  kylongbeards 10 ga is built on the SB2 shotgun action thus H&R will not fit the Huntsman barrel to it.  I think you can buy the complete gun from Wally World for about the same money as having a barrel fit or close to it.

[kylongbeard]

Wow!!! You guys all seem to know your stuff when it comes to H&R guns.  I had no idea all of this should be considered.  I appreciate everyone's input and I think I'll just purchase the whole gun from Cabellas (I kind of like the camo on stainless). 

Thanks again.  This is a great site.

Longbeard

[Busta]

kylongbeard,

The gun at Cabelas is a NEF Heritage, it is exactly like the NEF Sidekick except it has the Mossy Oak Break-Up camo and sells for $259.99. The Stainless/Black Sidekick goes for $239.99, and the blued/Wood goes for $169.99. These rifles are not classified as "Firearms" and are muzzleloaders only, so no 4473 to fill out.

[Keith Lewis]

If you go to a Cabalas check the clearance department. The one in Peoria Arizona has an NEF Heritage stainless camo on closeout for $219. I almost bought it but already have a Huntsman blue with synthetic stock that I have not even shot yet.