Huntsman/Scout

[Hammerspur]

Some time back in other posts I spoke of the T/C Scout I once hunted with... how I loved its handling but loathed the range results it produced.
I opined at the time, and still believe, a short fast swinging .58 Huntsman shooting round ball would make a great walking around gun.

Recently I came into possesion of a second .58 Huntsman and am now contemplating putting together a stalker based on the platform.
Here's my "artist's rendition" of the concept:

(Realistically speaking, Photoshop Neanderthal's Rendition would be more accurate!)

Gauging up against the T/C Scout Carbine (the overall length of which I found ideal as a fast handling stalking arm) something like a 4 1/2" bob and wearing Marble's sights would be the ticket.

Any thoughts guys?

[PHATINJUN]

Now ya got me thinking I got a couple of these .58's also. I wonder how much you loose the shorter ya get though. Keep us posted on what you end up doing. Kurt

[Walleye Magnet]

That is a good looking concept gun.  I don’t know about the accuracy question but I like the idea of a 58 with a short barrel for stalking.  Last week I got a nice doe by spot & stalk in the deep snow in Michigan.  H&R Huntsman 45 round ball. 

[Hammerspur]

I don’t know about the accuracy question but I like the idea...

I'm confident it would have to be better to what I got from the T/C!

http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,79483.msg491599.html#msg491599

[Antietamgw]

I can't see the pic since photobucket and a couple other hosting sites are blocked from the free ISP I'm on right now.  I shoot a .58 Huntsman and like it very much as it is.  Years back I did shorten some Shikari's in .45-70 for myself and friends. Other than the obvious loss of velocity, I don't recall that losing 6" of barrel made a difference in accuracy. Muzzleblast? Yes! They didn't "hang" quite as well for offhand shots but I like a little muzzle weight. Certainly, to each his own. I hunt some pretty thick stuff from time to time and I'm not sure how much handier a shorter barrel would be. What were you figuring to do about the ramrod? Without giving it much thought, I'll bet I could shorten the barrel, touch up the crown in the lathe and cut the sight dovetail in the mill in less time than shortening and modifying the ramrod. An interesting project - can't wait to see you pic later.

[PHATINJUN]

Do you think going to a finer powder would help much? I know right now I am on the edge of burning all the powder out of the 26"bbl I use FFG Shockeys Gold 70gr with 460gr Buffalo Ball-et. Kurt

[Hammerspur]

I shoot a .58 Huntsman and like it very much as it is.  Years back I did shorten some...They didn't "hang" quite as well for offhand shots but I like a little muzzle weight. I hunt some pretty thick stuff from time to time and I'm not sure how much handier a shorter barrel would be.

Already have one .58 Huntsman w/OEM bbl... I like it too, and I'm quite partial to long barrels generally BUT sneaking around in the tangle (almost everywhere and all the time up here, unless sitting on stand) was much easier with that T/C Scout than the other, longer muzzleloaders I have.
I sometimes weight the stock in my long barreled rifles to get them to balance and hang the way I prefer.

What were you figuring to do about the ramrod? Without giving it much thought, I'll bet I could shorten the barrel, touch up the crown in the lathe and cut the sight dovetail in the mill in less time than shortening and modifying the ramrod.

Shortening one of these collapsing ramrods is a cinch. 1-Pull the wood handle off (probably ruin it, but they're junk anyway.) 2-cut desired length from the outer brass section. 3-make and install new handle...DONE.


I did this one by simply making and fitting a shorter handle to achieve that "overbite" appearance which I prefer to flush. (Can't see in this pic but the end of the handle is concave for starting a ball.)

I'm not at all concerned with re-fitting a ramrod thimble & rod though. I already usually carry a take apart one in my belt bag for another muzzleloader I have sans thimble, etc.
MUCH stronger than the stocker!