What kind of huntsman is it please?

[mannyrock]

Dear Guys,

   I am looking on the internet, at a used muzzleloader, described as a .50 caliber NEF Huntsman.  It is break action, it has a wooden stock, which is proud in the grip at the receiver connection, and it has a fairly short barrel. It is drilled and tapped for a scope, with a weaver style mount on it.

  I asked the seller a couple of questions about it, and he says-

   1.  It is set up with a breech plug that takes no. 11 percussion caps, not 201 shotgun primers, but that a nipple for shotgun primers could be easily found and installed.

   2.  It does not use the orange plastic inserts, that some NEFs and H&Rs use to hold the cap or primer in the breech against the nipple.

   3.  Since it is black powder rifle, no FFL transfer is needed.

   I am pretty confused by all of  this.  I thought that all of the NEF break action muzzleloaders used shotgun primers, and used an orange plastic insert, and had a receiver that could be used to hold a shotgun or rifle barrel if shipped back to NEF for fitting (thus you would need an FFL transfer even for selling the muzzleloader alone.)

   Can anyone give me any guidance or advice here? What kind of NEF is this?

   All I want is a muzzleloader, that will use the 201 shotgun primers, and will shoot saboted bullets and powerbelts.  It is fine if it uses the orange plastic inserts. (I don't care either way).

     I have no interest in ever using the receiver with other barrels or calibers.   It is no problem for me to tell him to send it to my FFL guy.

   
   Thanks for all information, replies, advice.

Best Regards,

Mannyrock

[Keith Lewis]

It is obviously one of the older ones. Likely had the larger diameter breechplug which is available but difficult to find. Personally unless it is very cheap (around $50-$75) I would pass on that one and look at one of the newer break action rifles from CVA that take the new Bergara barrels. The Huntsman will also require replacing the goofy ramrod with one from HubbardOutdoors for another $30 plus the breechplug for probably another $30-$35 with shipping so now you have a short barreled used muzzleloader that cost about $150 which is about what you can buy new and more up to date on sale at seasons end. Even might consider a CVA Wolf that sells for about $150 at Wallyworld. Does not have the Bergara barrel but from what I have read it is a good shooter.

[Busta]

mannyrock,

Like Kieth said, that has to be one of the old H&R Huntsmans from the 70's. They only made those in .45 cal, .58 cal, and 12 ga. The only other explanation would be an aftermarket barrel such as the Hubbard's drop-in, if it is indeed a .50 caliber.

The 2001 to 2007 Huntsmans use the 209 primers and orange plastic carriers. If you just want a NEF muzzleloader, get the shorter framed Sidekick, no FFL required for that one. The NEF Huntsman needs to go to a FFL because it is on a SB1 frame.