NEF Huntsman muzzleloading barrel?

[bigbore442001]

My father had bought an accessory barrel a while back for his NEF Pardner Shotgun. He is rather disatisfied with it. According to the literature provided by NEF, the Huntsman barrel is limited to powder charges of 100 grains of Pyrodex or 80 grains of H777.

Needless to say, he isn't thrilled with that news. He asked me if I could find out on the 'net if there are any barrels that can use 100 to 150 grains of H777? This information would be appreciated.

[MSP Ret]

All the new H&R ML barrels are rated for 150 grains on BP or approved substitute and are 26" long, they come in blue or stainless and all come with a forearm, loading rod and a package of primer carriers standard. If you or your father wants to sell that older style 100 grain max barrel (it's most likely 24" also) I would be interested in buying it, I myself only use 80-90 grains of powder anyway and would prefer the 24" barrel anyway since I don't need long distance shots where I hunt in the the thick stuff anyway. If interested send me a PM....<><....

[blackplague14]

I just got a used muzzle loader w/ a 24" barrel.  How do I know if it is an older one, or if I can use 150 grains in it?  The serial # starts with NL.

Thanks,
Jon

[MSP Ret]

Hi Jon, I must start by saying I do not know why anyone would want to shoot 150 grains of BP unless they are hunting elephants or Rhinos, but if you do, and each to his own, I do believe all 24" H&R barrels were made for 100 grains of BP as a max load and all the 26" barrels can be loaded to 150 grains. The best way to know for sure is to call the factory. NL indicates a reciever that was manufactured in 1997 and that leads me to believe you can use a max load of 100 grains of BP in that barrel. Before you get concerned or upset about the 100 grain max load, think about it. I don't think you need any more than that and your most accurate load will most likely be somewhere just below you max load anyway. Good Luck....<><....

[blackplague14]

I grew up hunting and have shot guns all of my life, but I have never even fired a muzzleloader.  I am not familiar enough with the ballistics to compare the 100 to 150 grain loads yet.  So, I like learning new stuff and appreciate your input.

I have had to learn to shoot left handed, due to an eye injury, and I don't handle recoil as well as when was able to shoot right handed, so the 100 gr load will probably be better for my shooting anyway.

Thanks,
Jon

[MSP Ret]

I have shot ML's for quite a few years and teach it as a specialty (primitive weapons) in the state run Hunter Safety program. I think you will enjoy ML's and the expierence. Although ML's are known for their lack of substantial recoil (it is more of a strong push instead of a slam against your shoulder) I think the 150 grain loads would really get your attention. I suggest you try loose powder and start somewhere around 80 grains and work up a grain or 2 at a time to get your most accurate load. Most ML's shoot thier best accuracy at less than full power loads, as do many smokeless powder calibers. Good luck, have fun, and stay safe. Since you are new to ML's if you have any questions just ask, I am sure someone here will be happy to help....<><....

[blackplague14]

Thanks, I appreciate the advice.  The Huntsman came with some .44cal sabot rounds and 50 grain Pyrodex pellets.  Like I said, I have lots of experience with ARs, AKs, and bolt guns, but just recently purchased my first lever action and this muzzleloader.  I welcome any suggestions in learning how to shoot this type of firearm.

When I was blinded in my right eye from a work accident, I quit shooting long guns for about 5 years and just shot handguns, because I could still shoot them right handed.  I mainly carry a Kimber Custom II with the Clark Custom .460 Rowland conversion or a Browning Hi-Power.  I've shot the Air Marshal's qualification course with the Hi-Power, but I still have alot to learn about shooting long guns left handed.  I look forward to learning more about this type of shooting, and I really do appreciate any help you guys can offer.

Thanks,
Jon

[Busta]

I just got a used muzzle loader w/ a 24" barrel.  How do I know if it is an older one, or if I can use 150 grains in it?  The serial # starts with NL.

Thanks,
Jon

Jon,

I think your muzzleloader started out life as a shotgun or a rifle, and must have had a barrel fitted to it. NL is a 1997 receiver, and I think the NEF Huntsman was reintroduced in 2002. Might have been 2001, but I don't think it was before that. The old H&R Huntsmans were made back in the 70's. So if you call Customer Service, ask them if you have a SB1 or SB2 receiver. The NEF Huntsmans have ~Huntsman~ stamped on the left side of the receiver.

I have a 2003 24" NEF Huntsman that I really like. It has the 100 gr recommended load max too, but in the manual, it says these are recommended for best accuracy. In 2004, when they introduced the 26" barrels, they had the same 7/8" breech plug and barrel, just added  2" and called them "Magnums". They made 24" standard & 26" magnum barrels for both the Huntsman and "NEW Sidekick. The longer barrels give you more tube to burn more powder. In 2005 they started using 5/8" breech plugs, 2006 did away with the 24" barrels (except barrel program), and in 2007 discontinued the Huntsman as a complete rifle (still available in the barrel program). Now we are left with just the 26" Sidekick in blue or stainless, and 26" Huntsman barrels in the barrel program. Have heard conflicting reports on new old stock 24" barrels (some 24" barrels may or may not be available in the barrel program), but don't know if they were blued or stainless.


This is for my 2003 24" barreled .50 caliber Huntsman (Non-Magnum), and these are the recommended loads for best accuracy. Disregard the .45 caliber part on top, they never released any NEF .45 cal Huntsmans, and this load information should "not" be used with the older H&R Huntsmans from the 70's.

[blackplague14]

I just got a used muzzle loader w/ a 24" barrel.  How do I know if it is an older one, or if I can use 150 grains in it?  The serial # starts with NL.

Thanks,
Jon

Jon,

I think your muzzleloader started out life as a shotgun or a rifle, and must have had a barrel fitted to it.

That makes sense.  The butt stock has a type of speed feed shell holder.   Spring and follower are in the stock that allow for two 12 ga rounds to be carried in the stock.  I took that stock off and replaced it with one off of a 20 ga.  I recently found a 12 ga, full choke, camo laminated stock Turkey Federation that I will probably get and put the speed feed type stock on it.

Jon

[Busta]

Jon,

If you call CS, and they fitted the barrel, they could tell you what year it is. If the barrel was just purchased and installed by the previous owner it might not be so easy.

I could help you date it, if you give me some information.

2002-2003 = Plastic sights, 7/8" breech plug, and brass ramrod. Only 24" blued and SS rifles available.
Sights like on this 2002 model.
http://www.graybeardoutdoors.com/smf/index.php/topic,112825.0.html

2004 = Williams Fire-Sights (aluminum alloy), 7/8" breech plug, and brass ramrod. Introduced 26" barrels and Sidekick.

2005 = Williams Fire-Sights, 5/8" breech plug, and blackened brass ramrod. 24" and 26" blued or SS available.

2006 = Williams Fire-Sights, 5/8" breech plug, and blackened brass ramrod. Discontinued 24" barreled rifles (except in barrel program and blued Huntsman Combo's).

2007 = No more Huntsman rifles or Huntsman Combo's (except barrel program). Only 26" blued or SS Sidekicks.

I have upgraded my 24" 2003 SS Huntsman with the Williams Fire-Sights, Williams Peep Sight (for Colorado), blackened brass ramrod, .25 ACP breech plug, Scope and synthetic Monte-Carlo stock for Michigan. I have shot 200 to 300 grain saboted bullets with 85-100 grains of 777 FFG or Black Mag '3, and 430 to 460 grain all lead conicals with 80 grains 777 FFFG.

With 777 powder, you don't need any more than 100 grains. I only use 80 grains of 777 FFFG powder (equal to about 100 grains of black powder or pyrodex), and a 430 grain conical for elk. Kills 'em dead!  Works pretty good on whitetails out to 170 yards too.

[snicker]

For the life of me I can not figure out why anyone would want to use 150 grains of powder, other than that's what they use on the Outdoor Channel.  Last fall I watched a guy with an Encore line up his scope.  He was using a 300 grain sabot and three Pyrodex pellets.  First shot scoped him and cut his eyebrow.  Second shot bloodied his nose.  After that he went to two pellets and did just fine.  My Huntman is rated for 100 grains and I only use 85 grains.  Pleasant to shoot and does real well on deer.  Just my .02

[bigbore442001]

I appreciate all of the information on this topic. I'll let my Dad know what has been posted here and let him make the decision.

[fast*eddie]

I shoot a TC sabot with a 240 gr hornaday bullet using 90 gr of loose 777 powder . If I go higher , I start to loose accuracy . Why do guys think they need to shoot with 150 gr of powder . Are they a bunch of Tim the Toolman Taylors needing "more power" . These guys should try this test with a ML - use a load of 100 gr of powder and lay in the prone position in the snow & shoot . Then do the same thing with 150 gr of powder (but not in a Huntsman) . You will see a lot of UNBURNED powder on the snow with the 150 gr load as it won't burn all of it !

[.308 Win.]

I have had a couple of T/C rifles capable of handling the 150 gr. load and in both instances the accuracy dropped off dramatically after 110 grains.  A 150 gr. load wasn't comfortable for me  and at that time I weighed 270 pounds. Most every deer I've shot over 23 years has been with 95 grains of Pyrodex or good ol' Goex pushing T/C Maxi Ball bullets.  Plows a great big old hole through them and they pump blood like water through a hose. They don't go far, if at all.  I tried the magnum loads with the pointed bullets but I never was happy with that setup. You don't need a magnum load to put backstraps on the smoker. 

[JerryKo]

Wouldn't the barrel have the last three digits of SN of frame if fitted by H&R scribed or stamped on it?  At least its a start if it was fitted at factory.