H&R Muzzleloader 12 gauge Questions

[wilded]

I found a 12 gauge in excellent conditon.  Were there any issues with this shotgun?  Why did they quit making it?  Can the ignition system be changed to 209 primer? Thanks for your opinion and information in advance. ET

[Keith Lewis]

I found a 12 gauge in excellent conditon.  Were there any issues with this shotgun?  Why did they quit making it?  Can the ignition system be changed to 209 primer? Thanks for your opinion and information in advance. ET

A 209 primer is a shotgun primer so there is no issue on setting up for a ML barrel using the 209 primer. If you send for a ML barrel you should also get one of the MU breechplugs so that you will not have to deal with the primer carriers that are stock with the sidekick and huntsman barrels.

[Busta]

I found a 12 gauge in excellent conditon.  Were there any issues with this shotgun?  Why did they quit making it?  Can the ignition system be changed to 209 primer? Thanks for your opinion and information in advance. ET

wilded,

The issues were the push-in breech plug with o-ring versus the screw in breech plugs on thos 1970's Huntsmans. They all had the #11 ignition, were available in .45 cal, .58 cal, and 12 ga. They made them from about 1973 to 1979 IIRC, and there was a incident with a push-in plug that resulted in the old H&R being sued.

Ben Hubbard made a "Mag Spark" 209 conversion for the old Huntsman and it may still be available. It is a 209 primer pocket that screws into the plug in place of the #11 nipple. This ad says "HR Huntsman Adapter... $15.00 (NOTE: Fits only old style Huntsman 45 & 58 caliber rifles)", so you may want to call and see about the 12 ga also.

http://www.warrencustomoutdoor.com/pl-spark-start.html#mag-spark

[wild willy]

The danger with the push in breech plugs is if you have a hang fire and the gun fires when you open it.The breech plug can become a projectile

[Keith Lewis]

I found a 12 gauge in excellent conditon.  Were there any issues with this shotgun?  Why did they quit making it?  Can the ignition system be changed to 209 primer? Thanks for your opinion and information in advance. ET

A 209 primer is a shotgun primer so there is no issue on setting up for a ML barrel using the 209 primer. If you send for a ML barrel you should also get one of the MU breechplugs so that you will not have to deal with the primer carriers that are stock with the sidekick and huntsman barrels.

I guess I misunderstood the situation. I thought you had a 12ga shotgun not a 12ga ml shotgun and wanted to get a muzzleloading barrel for it. If it is a muzzleloading shotgun I think it has already been covered by the other posts.

[wilded]

Thanks guys.  ET

[PHATINJUN]

Mine all work just fine with the #11 caps just follow the rules of safe MLing and don't stick your nose in the breech area if you do happen to have a misfire. Lots of fun to shoot . Kurt