Thinking of trying the muzzle loader

[crarnold65]

I am considering sending my reciever in to get a .50 barrel. Can anybody give me any pros or cons? Just looking for some advice as I am a little worried about sending all but my barrel to somebody I have never dealt with before.

[Jal5]

Why not shop around and try to find a SideKick or Huntsman used, and keep that as the ML platform exclusively? You are likely to use a different scope for the ML than the one used for your other barrel anyway so why not keep a dedicated gun for ML.  I did the ML first then picked up various shotgun barrels that I swap on the SB1 frame, the same with rifle barrels on the SB2 frame. I now have 16 and 20 ga. and 243 and 270.

[OBXPilgrim]

Well, the pro's would be to have one gun that you could use for more than one hunting season - one trigger to get used to, one sight set-up to get used to (if you use the same set-up).  I like having a ML barrel for each of my Handi's.  I started with a Sidekick & bought a 22 hornet Handi to long after that.  I'd just about sell the Sidekick & just rely on the Handi/Huntsmans if the Sidekick didn't have such a nice trigger (it is sweet), plus it's stainless/nickel. 

The con could probably very well be getting the ML barral from Remington.  Mine has been in for extra barrels since June 18th.  The folks at Rem CS say it's got the barrels fitted, just waiting for the forearm.  They will not ship my rifle without the forearm either (unless I cancel the order for the forearm).  So, if you want it soon, tough luck, go buy a seperate gun.  If you want a nice package that you can keep all packed up in a double gun locking case with both barrels, better plan on not getting it until after all the ML seasons are over this year.

[quickdtoo]

Order turn around time for orders that are shipped direct to Ilion NY instead of Gardner MA is 4-5 weeks for in stock barrels and stock sets.

Tim

http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,154055.msg1098659758.html#msg1098659758

http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,150911.msg1098633956.html#msg1098633956

[OBXPilgrim]

Sorry Tim, the man asked about .50 ML, not a .357 or a factory repair job (which is what the links are that you posted).

I gotta call "BS" on ya on this one.

If he sends it in now, he ain't ganna get one anytime soon.

I'm here to tell anyone that wants to know - and until I get my stuff out of them, anybody that's going to send their receiver in should know the score. 

Guess your gonna tell us that they've been out of ML barrels since June?

[quickdtoo]

If crarnold65 reads the entire thread, he'll see that Natty Bumpo got his back in 4½ weeks, it doesn't matter what he's asking for, any barrel could be out of stock, and as striker525 said, barrels were still being made in Gardner. There are several others that have received their accessory barrel orders back from Ilion with no problems, in late September they were taking a bit longer tho. 223dog just talked to them on the 14th about Huntsman barrel availability, they had them in stock at that time.

Tim

I sent my BC receiver in on Aug 22 for a .38-55 barrel.  Didn't call them for about 2 weeks due to my being activated for Hurricane Gustav.  When I called, they told me they weren't making the .38-55 barrel any more, so I told them to fit a 7mm-08 barrel.  The receiver and barrel arrived about ten days ago, in perfect condition (other than the barrel being dirty from being fired).  I finally shot it (as well as the original .45-70 barrel this past Sunday, with good results.  With approximately one week of lag time due to my not calling them to tell them what to do about the barrels, it only took 4 1/2 weeks for them to fit the barrel and get it back to me.  The web site says 6-8 weeks, so anything less is gravy (I got gravy  ).  100+ days is ridiculous, though.

Just got off the phone with customer service. I guess the waiting is due to the barrels still being in and made in Gardner MA., then shipped to Ilion. Hopefully I will get mine this week or next from what they told me.

Got mine back today .  It was accepted on August 1 so that makes it about 7 weeks.  Just as promised.

BTW..I had a .308 bull barel fitted to my .223 fluted varmit.  So far it looks good.  I added the 1 1/2 lbs of lead in the butt-end of the stock and put the scope on it.  I will clean it up and take it to the range ina couple of days. I will post range report ASAP.

I called to see if they still had the muzzeloader barrels avalible.  They do and said that they plan on having them for a while.  I was told that it would be $120 for the barrel $30 for fitting and shipping $15 for primer carriers plus about 15 for me to ship it there.  This was for and 26'' stainless barrel.  So my next question is should i do it?  Or is there a better muzzelloader for $180.  I think that the original sidekick was only like $170 new.  Should have bought one then.  If i do do it I'll wait until after the fall rush to send it in.

[OBXPilgrim]

223dog just talked to them on the 14th about Huntsman barrel availability, they had them in stock at that time.

If he sends it in now, he ain't ganna get one anytime soon.

Well, I very happy to say that I'm wrong. 

As of today when I called, they had a huge lot of ML forearms come in.  Looks like if you put in for that ML barrel now, you probably will get it in 4-5 weeks or maybe less.

I guess timing is everything, huh?

[quickdtoo]

I'm glad for ya, it's about time, eh!!

Tim

[petemi]

I'd just call first, see if it's in stock and order.  If they have it, it should be back to you in 3 -4 weeks, on the outside.  I called Gardner about a year ago and inquired about 3 barrels.  All were in stock and I got it all back, perfectly fit in 21 days.  But, that was NEF, not Rem.

[OBXPilgrim]

I'm glad for ya, it's about time, eh!!

Tim

That's the truth!!  They've had my receiver 127 days now.  I bought the rifle new a week before I sent it in & I haven't even shot it yet (.30-06).  Bought it mainly to hurry & beat the deadline & get some barrels back from Gardner before the move - good one!!

Looks like my ML barrel will make it here just in time for Muzzleloading season --- Next Year.  Our season ended two weeks ago.  I can still use it during gun season & in my hunting area, it wouldn't be a disadvantage in the least.