lead conicals in a huntsman

[DCRthe3rd]

Hello, I have a huntsman barrel coming and I do not wish to use any saboted bullets and do not want to use the powerbelts , I do have some lead conicals of 270 grains from T/C , the name of which escapes me right now , but I wanted to know if anyone here has any comments regarding these or others of the like in a huntsman

[Busta]

DCR,

If you really want to shoot conicals in the Huntsman, don't mess around (waste your time and money) with the light weights. Get some in the 400 grain to 490 grain range. The 460 grain No Excuses or Bullshop are some of the best conicals available. Bullshop has a much wider selection, can size them from .499" to .5045" and are very reasonable. You will want pure lead, # 2 lube, sized at .503" for a slip fit. You will get slight engraving, the bullet will stay seated, and will obturate fully into the grooves upon ignition. You can load and shoot these bullets all day long without swabbing between shots. Bullshop also has a new bullet that a very savvy gentleman in Missouri designed called a UC Short, it is in the 440-445 grain range, I haven't tried it yet but should be about the perfect bullet for the 1:28 twist. I have read some good reports on that bullet performing well out of the Knight which is virtually the same barrel as my Huntsman (same rifling), both being made by Green Mountain.

You will only need about 70-80 grains of powder (I use 80 grains 777 FFFG) with these bullets, and I also use a .518"x.60" fiber gasket wad (not necessary) for better accuracy. With a scoped barrel I have shot these under MOA, with a peep sight 1.5" - 2" groups at 100 yards with the right conditions. I will try to PM you the information for Bullshop (Dan) and No Excuses (Dave), either one of these guys are great to do business with. Bullshop uses the flat rate shipping from USPS, so you can get alot of lead shipped (several boxes) for the same rate. He can send you a sample pack for a very reasonable price to if you ask.

[Keith Lewis]

Busta:  I also have an NEF Huntsman (blue barrel) which I picked up used for $100 and have not done much with it as I got off on the White find and buy program. Now that I also have a KRB7 I guess the Huntsman might be a good second gun to take with it since I was not aware that the Huntsman barrel was made by Green Mountain. I have always liked the Huntsman as I was brought up with break barrel single shot shotguns. Did all the Huntsmans have GM barrels?? The Huntsman must be pretty heavy in recoil with those big conicals as it is awfully light compared with the KRB7. Mine is set up with the black synthetic stock (needed for the rise to scope it) and a Burris Fullfield II with the ballistic plex. I have not shot it since I added the scope. Appreciate the information.

[DCRthe3rd]

Thanks for the info , if possible please do send the info for the other bullet maker.

[Busta]

Busta:  I also have an NEF Huntsman (blue barrel) which I picked up used for $100 and have not done much with it as I got off on the White find and buy program. Now that I also have a KRB7 I guess the Huntsman might be a good second gun to take with it since I was not aware that the Huntsman barrel was made by Green Mountain. I have always liked the Huntsman as I was brought up with break barrel single shot shotguns. Did all the Huntsmans have GM barrels?? The Huntsman must be pretty heavy in recoil with those big conicals as it is awfully light compared with the KRB7. Mine is set up with the black synthetic stock (needed for the rise to scope it) and a Burris Fullfield II with the ballistic plex. I have not shot it since I added the scope. Appreciate the information.

Keith,

Most of the NEF barrels were made by GM prior to 2007, they are made by Marlin now and probably why the Huntsman/Sidekick was discontinued. I am sure GM is too busy building the new barrels for the Knight KP1 to mess with other contracts. I slugged one of my new Knight's the other day, the slug fit right into the 2003 NEF Huntsman barrel. I tried to measure the lands and grooves on both and they are real close to .075" (L) and .125" (G), give or take a few thousandths. The slug was .5015" (L), .5095 (G) at the muzzle.

I have a 24" SS Huntsman with the synthetic stock (Monte-Carlo w/scope, regular w/peep) and it handles recoil extremely well, as good as my Whites. You will be amazed at how well they shoot conicals, my Huntsman is the least finicky muzzleloader I have ever shot, and shoots saboted bullets and conicals extremely well. I use the .25 ACP plug in the Huntsman, in case you were wondering.

[Keith Lewis]

I have the .25ACP conversion also. I have never shot the rifle with the plastic carriers. With the Blackhorn 209 comming I may have to try them as they are saying that the .25ACP may not be hot enough to set off the powder. Actually I have not shot the Huntsman much as it was just a whim when I found it on the used rack and the dealer wanted to get rid of the "black powder stuff".  I have not tried any conicals in it and probably should have before I bought so many Whites.

[petemi]

I shoot two 777 50 gr pellets and Thompson Center 470 gr. Maxi Hunters.  Yeah, they come back on you a bit, but they're where I want them at 300 yards.  Yes, I Know what the drop is, and they arrive where expected.  I've shot them in fairly stiff cross winds without really noticeable deflection.  I was really quite surprised.  The Deer I took last December was shot in the chest at 60 yards and flipped over backward dead.  I like a heavy conical, it is a long bullet and again, I may be wrong, but it seems to perform better.