I bought a new Sidekick 6 or 7 years ago. I don't shoot it a lot, I only have it for deer and don't hunt with it every year, although I do always sight it in. My loads are 80-100 grains of loose Triple 7. I used the same carrier for at least 80 times on the range, used another one for hunting. I use the Triple 7 primers too, they clean up easier than the shotgun Primers. Stay away from the hot shotgun primers, they will blow the carriers apart.
I don't shoot mine enough to justify upgrading from the carrier plug, and by this point I've bought enough carriers for nothing from people getting rid of them I'll never run out. You will find them on Gunbroker and Ebay and other sites if you look around. The plug tool is what sucks about the factory plug. There are a couple improvements in the FAQ. I came up with my own that I think works better. I took a 3/8" drive 1/2" socket and JB welded a bolt and nut in the socket to make a platform for more JB weld, about an 1/8" deep. Then I JB welded the carrier plug tool to the socket. This way I can use a 3/8" ratchet if the plug is stuck or for normal use I use the 3/8" adapter hex bit for a screwdriver.
You'll learn real quick you want to loosen the plug every other shot, or I just do it every shot now. I didn't know that when I first got the rifle and had a heck of a time getting the plug out after a long day at the range. NEVER again.
I cut mine down to 20" and I don't carry the ramrod on the gun, I carry it in my muzzle loading bag that is in the truck when I hunt. I carry another rod in my pack when I hunt. The ramrod that came with the rifle is better than a stick, but that's about it.
I've used Power belts and the Hornady FPB with more than acceptable accuracy for hunting. The past year I started playing with sabots, link below. They worked well with .452 bullets another member gave me. I have a bunch of 240 grain 44 cal bullets so that's whet I'm going to work up this year.
http://mmpsabots.com/Good luck with it.
