How do you convert an older Huntsman to 209 Primer setup?

[OldSchoolRanger]

I was browsing the older posts and classifieds, and came across this post:  "I have a 12 ga. Huntsman Muzzle loader barrel, complete with the forearm and ramrod.  It is the older type with the push in breechplug that has the O-ring. ......  Would be easy to convert to a 209 primer set up."
My question is how would you do this? And is it "really easy" to do? I mean for those of us who are not Handi-Engineers,  and can usually only do minor repairs. 

[srussell]

 easy way is have a gumsmith or machinist make one . i had my smith make one for me threaded the Brock and made one that screwed in. be carfull with that slip in breech plug . they have been know to come out and hurt people like on a miss fire a guy opened the rifle and it went boom breech plug hit him in the face

[Busta]

I was browsing the older posts and classifieds, and came across this post:  "I have a 12 ga. Huntsman Muzzle loader barrel, complete with the forearm and ramrod.  It is the older type with the push in breechplug that has the O-ring. ......  Would be easy to convert to a 209 primer set up."
My question is how would you do this? And is it "really easy" to do? I mean for those of us who are not Handi-Engineers,  and can usually only do minor repairs. 

Ben Hubbard is your man for that Huntsman Adapter Conversion. It is basically just a replacement for the 1/4-28 #11 nipple, it screws right in and has a primer pocket for a 209 primer. This is not the same thing as the other Mag-Spark Conversions, as they are for open ignition sidehammers and require a screw on cap with a firing pin inside. The Huntsman adapter uses your standing breech and firing pin. I don't know if Ben is still making them but it would be worth a call or e-mail to find out.

Hubbard's Outdoor Products
7926 Hwy 155
Montevallo, Alabama 35115
205-665-0444 or 1-800-236-7486
bhubbards@charter.net

This is a custom breech plug I got from Ben 3 years ago when I wanted to shoot Blackhorn 209 in my NEWER 2003 NEF Huntsman. It won't look exactly like your breech plug, but the adapter will be the same. I put an o-ring in the bottom of the primer pocket, that makes a waterproof seal (with primer installed) and helps keep blowback to a minimum. I am 99.9% sure Ben is no longer making the breech plugs, as there are too many variables in tolerance from one rifle to the next, but he may still be making the adapters.







And some results of the first range session. I'd say it works.




If Ben is no longer making them, you might try Warren Custom Outdoor, they are/were selling his Mag-Spark conversions. Make sure you ask for the H&R Huntsman 1/4-28 adapter. They also have a Mag-Spark Dealer link in blue near the top of the page that you could try as well. Good luck!

http://www.warrencustomoutdoor.com/mag-spark.html

Direct link with more information and price is only $15, instead of $20 like the other conversions that require a cap. It does say, only for older 45 cal & 58 cal H&R Huntsmans, but I think it will work on the older 12 ga as well.

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

[PHATINJUN]

Tak there are several 209 nipples out there. The #11 should be 1/4-28 do a google search for "209 nipple". It should be just a matter of finding one the right lenght and that you can adjst some if needed and the right thread. Kind of like reversed "easy as pie" 209-#11 conversion that Busta has in the Faq's. It probly won't be as clean with no blow back as some of the threaded plug conversions are but I think it's doable.I still got 3 of my push ins set up for #11 and have not had any issues with any of them but I do not shoot BH209 powder in them either. One of my .45 huntsman's with the threaded plug is converted to BH 209 and works very well. Kurt

[PHATINJUN]

Yea what Busta said Kurt

[OldSchoolRanger]

Thanks guys, but I was under the impression, that the conversion consisted of: threading (tapping) the  breech end of the barrel, and installing a  threaded breech plug, in place of the push in/out plug.
Oh well! So much for my comprehension of you Handi-Engineers. Thanks again for enlightening me.

[whitetailmaniac]

I got a push in 209 plug from ben last year for my 58 and it works great.

     Chris

[Busta]

Thanks guys, but I was under the impression, that the conversion consisted of: threading (tapping) the  breech end of the barrel, and installing a  threaded breech plug, in place of the push in/out plug.
Oh well! So much for my comprehension of you Handi-Engineers. Thanks again for enlightening me.

Well that could be done. But then you would need to make a breech plug to fit it as well. The 209 adapter is as easy as unscrewing your #11 nipple and screwing in the 209 adapter.