Author Topic: Huntsman Help please- (Read 1905 times)

gdog · « **on:** March 04, 2007, 08:40:36 AM »

Traded for a Huntsman. Stainless finish with plastic stock. Wanted to give it a good cleaning. The breech plug won't come out. I have plug wrench but don't know how much torque to apply without doing damage. Will the lug take a lot of torque without damage? I let it soak with WD 40 last night, haven't tried it today. If I can get it out, it will get a dose of anti seize compound. Thanks for any input.

Keith Lewis · « **Reply #1 on:** March 04, 2007, 09:12:54 AM »

If the WD-40 does not loosen it up I would try some boiling water. The water and heat may be the answer. Try to remove after it soaks some but while it is still hot. The stock wrench is a pain to use and be careful to not let it slip as it will ding the end of the barrel where the notch for the carrier is. I know as I bought mine used and the previous owner did just that. I converted mine to the .25ACP plug which uses a standard six point socket to remove. I also recommend the improved ramrod from Hubbardsoutdoors. It is stronger than the stock rod and two inches longer when extended also has the threaded end with the correct threads and the end is relieved for pointed bullets.

gdog · « **Reply #2 on:** March 04, 2007, 09:17:40 AM »

Thanks, Keith. I found the link to the ramrod, where do you get info on the plug?

Busta · « **Reply #3 on:** March 04, 2007, 12:15:34 PM »

gdog,

Don't give up on that Huntsman, it is one of my favorites. I too, use the .25 ACP plug and wont be going back to 209's or that plug removal tool. You could modify your plug tool so a socket would slip over it, or by welding a nut to the top to give you leverage. If you weld a nut on, make sure you only weld on the inside to keep the outside clean for the socket.

Use Keith's method of boiling some water in a tall pan. Set the breech end down into the water geting it good and hot, that should do the trick. It might take a couple attempts, but heat is your friend here. You might need a padded vise to hold the barrel, and use a large Phillips screwdriver for the breaker bar while holding the tool in place. It will get better.

If you ar looking to get the .25 ACP plug, make sure to measure yours (when you get it out, of course). The 2002-2004 24 " barreled Huntsmans used a 7/8" plug, the 2005-2007 26" barreled guns use a 5/8" plug, I think. If the first two letters on your serial # are NS=2002, NT=2003, NU=2004, NV=2005, NW=2006, Huntsmans were discontinued as complete rifles in 2007, but barrels are still offered in the Barrel Program.

I have a 2003 24" SS Huntsman with the 7/8" .25 ACP breech plug, added a synthetic Monte-Carlo stock and scope for Michigan. I use the standard stock, Williams WGRS Peep Sight, Harris bi-pod for Colorado.

.25 ACP Originator (Canada)

http://www.prbullet.com/nef.htm

.25 ACP distributors (U. S.)

http://www.bpbullets.com/thompson%20center%20omega.html

http://www.thebuckskinner.com/breech_plug.html

Keith Lewis · « **Reply #4 on:** March 04, 2007, 12:28:38 PM »

Since I am in Arizona and scopes are legal I added one to mine. If you decide to do that order the mount from H&R (do not buy the aftermarket ones as they don't have a slot far enough to the rear to make the scope correctly placed). I know; I bought the wrong one first. The one from H&R also comes with the hammer extension and the price is good. I put a shotgun scope on first but am considering changing to a 3-9 scope with ballistic plex from Burris as the Huntsman may be my longrange rifle for elk if it shoots the conicals that I want to use from White. They make a conical for normal .500 bore rifles as well as the ones for their .504 bore rifles. My Omega has been giving me fits with moving POI which I think is due to synthetic stock problems that I have not fixed yet. The Huntsman should be less effected by stock removal. Forearm pressure is the only thing to be aware of.

Busta · « **Reply #5 on:** March 04, 2007, 01:12:17 PM »

Keith,

If you buy WHITE bullets for your Huntsman, get the .503's! The .500's will be way too loose. I used an older White .503" 430 grain boat tailed Super Slug (obsolete and I only have 23 left

) to take the elk in the avatar. They shoot outstanding in my Huntsman, with slight engraving when loading (essentially a slip fit), that will still stay put on your charge while hunting in the Rockies. The sad thing is, they do not make the 430 grain Super Slug anymore. They do make a 400, 440, grain Power Punch that are within the legal length limit (2 x diameter) for Colorado. I bought a bunch of the 440's, but they don't shoot quite as well as the 430, even though they are virtually the same bullet sans the boat tail. The 400's are too light for a 1-28 twist IMHO, and dont do as well as the heavier ones. White has a .503" 460 grain Power Punch that I don't have at the moment, but I believe with the smaller meplat, it is too long (over 1.00") for Colorado.

No Excuses .503" 460 grain bullet measures .970 in length, just within the Colorado legal limits and they also shoot excellent in my NEF Huntsman and White Whitetail.

I use 80 grains 777 FFFG, .518" Fiber Gasket Wad, either the .503" White 430 grain Super Slug or the .503" 460 grain No Excuces or Bullshop all lead conical.

Keith Lewis · « **Reply #6 on:** March 04, 2007, 05:28:07 PM »

Already have the .500 White bullets. If they are too loose in my Huntsman, I will try them in my Omega. I slugged the barrel on the Omega and it measures .500 exactly. I have not slugged the barrel on the Huntsman yet.

Busta · « **Reply #7 on:** March 04, 2007, 07:26:46 PM »

Quote from: Keith Lewis on March 04, 2007, 05:28:07 PM

Already have the .500 White bullets. If they are too loose in my Huntsman, I will try them in my Omega. I slugged the barrel on the Omega and it measures .500 exactly. I have not slugged the barrel on the Huntsman yet.

If you have the Buckbusters? I think they are actually sized at .499", and weigh 445 grains IIRC. I have never tried them, but the Huntsman bore is supposed to be .501" land to land and .510 groove to groove. I have never actually measured mine, but think it is in the .502" ballpark like the Knights. The .503's engrave easily, stay put on the charge, and most importantly are accurate in the 430 to 460 grain range.

Keith Lewis · « **Reply #8 on:** March 05, 2007, 06:05:21 AM »

I have the Buckbusters and they do measure .499. I just slugged my Huntsman and it measures .501 land to land and .509 groove to groove. The Buckbusters would definately just slide down the barrel (maybe like in a White with their bullets sized for them). I will try them in the Huntsman and also in my Omega if I can drive them down the barrel asThe Omega is much smaller. I would be afraid in a clean barrel the bullets would just fall back out in the Huntsman. It is nice to know that the Huntsman measures what it is supposed to.

Keith Lewis · « **Reply #9 on:** March 05, 2007, 01:00:58 PM »

GDOG: Sorry about sort of stealing the post. Did the breechplug come out? We sort of got off subject but some of the information could be of use to you also.

gdog · « **Reply #10 on:** March 05, 2007, 01:43:30 PM »

That is no problem. Always good reading here. I haven't tried the boiling water yet, probably be this weekend before I get a chance. Thanks for the info.

MSP Ret · « **Reply #11 on:** March 06, 2007, 03:50:38 AM »

WD40 will not dissolve the crap that comes from firing BP and using a petroleum based product for lube. As was suggested you need hot water. Try a little dish soap in the boiling water, something like Dawn that cuts grease well. Put the chamber end of the barrel in the bucket with about at least 6" of boiling water with a little soap in it, then with the barrel upright pour boiling water (with a little soap mixed in) down the muzzle and let it sit for a 1/2 hour minimum, repeat as needed and then try to remove the breech plug. Good luck and keeo us advised, it should work....<><....

gdog · « **Reply #12 on:** March 06, 2007, 01:12:05 PM »

Thanks, I believe that plug is coming out this weekend!

millwright · « **Reply #13 on:** March 06, 2007, 01:20:58 PM »

It will not hurt to use some force, I had to on mine the first time. I welded my breech plug tool inside a socket so I could use a ratchet and extension to get beyond the scope. I also use superlube 1000 on the breech plug threads and do not overtighten. No more problems. Also check the rear screw on the scope mounting hole to make sure it is not too long and binding the breech plug. All these things work for me. lol

quickdtoo · « **Reply #14 on:** March 06, 2007, 02:02:45 PM »

I use Teflon tape on breech plugs, they never stick even using max 777 loads which were a real bear before I started using the tape. The tape seals the breech plug threads so absolutely no fouling gets in them, grease just doesn't work well to do that, it helps, but keep the fouling out in the first place and you got it made. Inline breech plugs need to be removed and cleaned at each cleaning, don't skip it, or you may regret it.

Tim

http://www.graybeardoutdoors.com/smf/index.php/topic,39309.msg223146.html#msg223146

gdog · « **Reply #15 on:** March 17, 2007, 10:38:43 AM »

Well, I've thrown in the towel. I tried the hot, soapy water to no avail. Got the breach plug and wrench mangled up and the gun would not close and completely lock. The USPS has it now, taking it to Gardner. And you can bet when it gets back, it will get some Teflon tape on the the threads before a shot is fired.

Hammerspur · « **Reply #16 on:** March 18, 2007, 01:47:18 PM »

WOW! All the stuff I've read about difficulty with the Huntsman breechplug and removal tool... never seen either one so it's just 'words' to me, the descriptions of them I mean.

Never had any problem at all with the Hubbard's item in my Shikari conversion. Are there any pics of the Huntsman plug and wrench on here somewhere?

Keith Lewis · « **Reply #17 on:** March 19, 2007, 05:59:57 AM »

Quote from: Hammerspur on March 18, 2007, 01:47:18 PM

WOW! All the stuff I've read about difficulty with the Huntsman breechplug and removal tool... never seen either one so it's just 'words' to me, the descriptions of them I mean.

Never had any problem at all with the Hubbard's item in my Shikari conversion. Are there any pics of the Huntsman plug and wrench on here somewhere?

Can't supply a picture but the breechplug has a large hole in the center and two wide slots cut across the plug face to allow the plastic carriers to be inserted and one of the slots allows a tab on the insert to show at he outside of the barrel where it meets the breechface (I guess to indicate that the rifle is loaded). This means that to make a removal tool it has to look like a big wide screwdriver but can't be too wide or it will not fit down into the barrel. Consequently the tool is weird. It is also very short which makes use with a scope practically impossible. Many have reworked the tool by welding on stuff or machining it to accept a socket. Someone told me that Sears sell a tool that will fit (can't remember what it was designed for). The real solution for me was to get the .25ACP conversion breechplug which I prefer anyway and it has a socket friendly design so I can use a socket with an extension to remove the plug.

gdog · « **Reply #18 on:** April 09, 2007, 09:19:43 AM »

Well, Big Brown dropped my Huntsman off at the house this morning. Now to get some range time. BTW- NEF did not charge anything to remove the breechplug and put in a new one. They did not even charge to return it to me. I like that customer service, especially since it was not their fault.

Jal5 · « **Reply #19 on:** April 09, 2007, 11:38:13 AM »

Gordon,
the breech plug removal tool I found was a socket from Sears with a slotted screw driver on the face that just fits into the plug. it is called a drag link socket I think. I posted something on it here a while back you might be able to find the link. good luck with the huntsman they usually are good shooters.

Joe

gdog · « **Reply #20 on:** April 12, 2007, 12:55:03 PM »

Joe-thanks. I will look for one of those.