Huntsman Plug?

2004 , and 7/8" breech plug for sure. Great shooting barrels, just need a good plug to shoot Blackhorn.

The OEM ramrod and jag is another thing you will probably want to upgrade, especially if you shoot pointed bullets. If you shoot flat points or hollow points, you can get by using it to load in the field, but either way you will want a range rod for shooting and cleaning.

These rifles, Huntsman/Sidekick would have been far more popular had they addressed the breech plug and ramrod themselves. At the price they were selling for, They were still s steal even after the breech plug and ramrod/jag upgrades. I only paid $202 for my 2003 stainless steel Huntsman, and $175ish for me 2004 stainless steel Sidekick. The 2008 sidekick was a bit more, but cannot remember the exact price.

I had several custom breech plugs made for these rifles, and my favorites were a one time deal with 5/32" flame channels, and a removable vent-liner installed.





I guess it will only key me post 3 pics in a post. Continued in next post.

Continued.

I still use the OEM ramrods for loading a follow-up shot in the field, but I had custom jags made for loading pointed bullets, and that would also hold a cleaning patch if needed. Still use a range rod for all other loading and cleaning.

Anybody else having issues removing Winchester 209 primers from MU plug after firing?
I have to plier mine out every time... fortunately I keep a multi-tool on my belt all deer season and bring one to the range too.
Outside of that huge pain in the rear, seems to shoot good with the carrier... I shot 2" lower at 50 and 100 yds with new carrier but that was a quick fix.
Anyways, please advise if you have similar issue with MU 5/8th plug and/or if there is a fix for that (haven't tried diff brand of primer yet).

Try Federal 209A or CCI 209M primers. How old is your plug? Are you using the o-ring in the primer pocket?

IIRC, Nick used a 6.2mm (.244") tapered bit to bore the primer pocket. The larger diameter European made Nobel Sport primers will also fit in the primer pocket. I use them in my CVA breech plugs with Blackhorn 209.


I've had the Winchester W209 primers actually split wide open and ruin the original Orange primer carriers. Glad those days are long gone!


Give another primer a try.

I ordered the plug at the end of last deer season but didn't actually shoot it until this Sept when sighting in. About 6 rounds at the range, one on the deer I dropped and one discharging round at end of muzzle loader season. All had to be removed with pliers.
I will try out the other primers as you've suggested...won't be till next season though.

Thanks for the quick reply.
:yeah:

Also, yes I do use the o-ring. Though when I close the breach it looks like the primer is tight on the plug.
Is anybody not using the o-ring.
I love the lack of blow back, cuts cleaning time way down.

I leave the Lowe's number 60 O ring in. I use all the ML primers and none stick in the pocket at all. My most recent MU plug hasn't been used yet.I'm still using the ones from when they were first invented .

I use the stock ram rod but have a Hubbard's also.

Busta, do you know how long Cabelas sold the Heritage model, which is a SS sidekick with camo synthetic stock to my knowledge. If I recall I paid 249.00 in or about 2005??.

Not positive how long Cabelas sold the NEF Heritage, but they started the same year as the Sidekick, 2004 with the 7/8" breech plug. They went to the 5/8" breech plug in 2005.They continued them for another couple years or so. Then Remington took over H&R/NEF production, and it was all down hill from there.

Nevermind, I can't read. Thanks all.

I picked it up today, excellent condition. It looks like i will need the 5/8” MU plug.

Bcoulter said:

I picked it up today, excellent condition. It looks like i will need the 5/8” MU plug.

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Click to expand...

You have an anomaly!

What is the length of your barrel? 24" or 26"?

Can you take a picture of the rifle opened just like that, only flipped over? Is there a 3 digit (last 3 of serial#) number inscribed on the left side of the barrel locking lug?

I'm guessing that someone sent your 2004 Huntsman receiver in to the "H&R/NEF Barrel Program" during the 2005 or later model year, and had that barrel installed? Or, someone simply put that 2005 or later Huntsman barrel on that receiver? On Graybeard Outdoors, the H&R/NEF Classifieds are an outstanding way to purchase compatable barrels, stocks, receivers, or whole rifles.

I guess it is also possible, but very unlikely, that your rifle (NU is the 2004 serial number prefix) was one of the last manufactured in the 2004 model year, and that was the transition point where they ran out of the 7/8" breech plug barrels? If so, it is the first and only one I've ever heard of, or seen.

I'm going to go with either the barrel program, or someone simply swapped it for the original barrel, either because the original had a warranty issue, or the owner simply wanted a barrel with the 5/8" breech plug?

Either way, if the barrel locks up tight on the receiver, you should be good to go.

To answer your question, yes, you'll need a 5/8" breech plug. Enjoy!

24” bbl. the guy i bought it from didn’t mention having the barrel changed. No numbers where you mentioned,picture attached.

Strange one for sure. I would have bet my life that it would have a 7/8" breech plug. Exception, rather than the rule. Either way, it will make a great rifle, with the breech plug change. Enjoy!

Thanks for all the help Busta! I we been reading Huntsman threads all evening, excited to shoot this thing!

My NEF heritage will shoot anything I put down the barrel. My favorite is the 350gr FPB with 80-90 grains of T7 or bh209.
That said it shoots pellets very well with that said bullet too.
Nice looking gun
Steve

Did someone say 350 grain Hornady FPB's in a Huntsman? :mrgreen:




The 440 grain White Power Punch's ain't to shabby either.




Like Steve said, these NEF's will shoot anything you can stuff down the barrel, and well! Sabots, conicals, loose powder, pellets, you name it. Least finicky muzzleloaders that I've ever owned, or shot. Just need a good breech plug, and you're golden.

Great shooting. I ordered the MU Breech plug today. Since I’m prepping for next years CO elk hunt i think I’ll start with 460g no excuses bullets and T7. Been doing a lot of reading here and this seems like s good load to start with.

I called MU last Wednesday, put a check in the mail the same day. The Breech plug showed up today with 3 o rings, fast turnaround IMO. I guess the o ring goes under the primer, seems like it would get fried.

I think I change my O ring out every thirty shots .I have plenty of the lowes #60 and haven't had an issue to date . The O ring goes in the primer pocket , you got it right .

Have you shot it yet

Steve