New to me Huntsman Barrel!

[quickdtoo]

I bought a .50 cal Huntsman barrel in the classifieds last week(thanks Garbhead!  ) fits my Pardner frame perfect, so no work needed there!! I do need to make it Washington state legal, so today I worked on that, I modified the 7/8" breech plug to accept a shortened ¼"-28 #11 nipple(for now), but I didn't just drill the existing hole out, I used an 1/8" end mill offset by .050" so the firing pin, which hits dead center, would hit offcenter on the anvil part of the nipple instead of in the center of the hole in the nipple, drilled and tapped it for the ¼-28, then tested a bunch of CCI caps on it and got 100% ignition!    I also called Ben Hubbard to order a ramrod, he said he'd get it right out!!

Range report some day!! 

Tim

[bikerbeans]

Tim,
 
Sounds like you have been busy!  Since WA makes you have an "open" ignition system on your MZ what other hoops do you have to jump through?  No Sabots?  Black Powder no BP subs?  Loose powder, no pellets?  Bullet length restrictions?  I love our countrie's wildlife officials.  All those little biologists getting together to craft game laws just for our benefit and enjoyment.

BB

[quickdtoo]

Sabots are fine, even jacketed bullets now that they changed it a couple years ago, BP subs are fine as are pellets, although I'd never use em, prefer 3F Goex or T7, must use traditional caps, no 209,  no smokeless, no glass optics either, fiber optic sights are ok tho. Just need to open the primer carrier port up a little at the slot in the breech plug to make it a little more "open to the elements". 

Tim

[Busta]

I bought a .50 cal Huntsman barrel in the classifieds last week(thanks Garbhead!  ) fits my Pardner frame perfect, so no work needed there!! I do need to make it Washington state legal, so today I worked on that, I modified the 7/8" breech plug to accept a shortened ¼"-28 #11 nipple(for now), but I didn't just drill the existing hole out, I used an 1/8" end mill offset by .050" so the firing pin, which hits dead center, would hit offcenter on the anvil part of the nipple instead of in the center of the hole in the nipple, drilled and tapped it for the ¼-28, then tested a bunch of CCI caps on it and got 100% ignition!    I also called Ben Hubbard to order a ramrod, he said he'd get it right out!!

Range report some day!! 

Tim

It's about time you got with the program! Congratulations on your Huntsman, they are very accurate rifles, and not very fussy about what you want to shoot out of them.
 
I did a "easy as pie" conversion on here a few years back, and I had not problem with the firing pin hitting dead center, but you WILL want to pay attention to the firing pin every few shots at the range. For hunting you should be ok with less than 5 shots before it would be a must. I understand that that type of conversion would not be WA friendly, but it would work in a pinch elsewhere.
 
I would think that the primer carrier slot would be "open to the elements" enough, but WA may think differently, I guess?
 
What bullet/s do you plan to shoot? Mine love saboted bullets (200 gr to 300 gr), and heavy lead (400+ gr) conicals alike. Just need to get the powder right for your application.
 
Good luck, and enjoy your new Huntsman.

[quickdtoo]

I have some .50 cal 405gr all lead Powerbelts that I'll probably start with, they shoot good in my .50 Black Diamond, I have a bunch of Precision Rifle .45 stuff for my Super XR Black Diamond, but not a lot of .50, the only other thing I have on hand is a bunch of  Hornady 250gr and 300gr SSTs, some with the low drag sabots left over from the 460 S&W project.

I cut a small opening in the top of the barrel which is where I've seen other manufacturers of Washington legal MLs place the openings to make them legal, when I get the forend from H&R, I'll post some pics.

Thanks Busta,

Tim

[stimpylu32]

Tim
 
My 50 likes the 250g Hornady's but for some reason didn't care much for the 300's , I'm not sure , maybe its the powder I use ( Pyrodex RS ) I never liked the T7 much , too messy for me , if I wanted all that I'd just use true PB . 
 
That and my 45/70 loves the RS ! 
 
stimpy

[quickdtoo]

Never used Pyrodex, always used Goex in traditional BP guns, tried 3f T7 in my both my Black Diamonds and CVA inlines,  love it, much cleaner burning the Goex, dunno what mess you're referring to, but it's never been a problem for me, I can get away with using less of it, so it costs less and Goex is all but impossible to buy here(40 miles away nearest.... when they have it  ), the local Bimart sells T7 along with their smokeless powder, so it's an easy choice to make, they even had it on sale this week for $2 off the regular price!! 

Thanks,

Tim

[KIMBER45]

I also use Goex. Great stuff, but it's hard to get where I live. Anyone have any knowledge as to where I can purchase Goex powder ?

[Swampman]

Bass Pro Shop usually has it, but you have to ask for it.

[KIMBER45]

Bass Pro Shop usually has it, but you have to ask for it.

Thanks. There is a Bass Pro near me. I'll check it out. Thanks again.

[KIMBER45]

Bass Pro has it- thanks for the info.
 

[Swampman]

Glad to help!!

[muznut 54]

Google Maine Powder House they will ship any kind of BP you want and if you order enough shipping and Hazmat is free.