Author Topic: Need some help choosing a BP rifle. (long post) (Read 731 times)

JimG · « **on:** November 24, 2005, 08:24:57 AM »

New to BP. I've been wanting one for years just never have bought one. I bought a Lyman BP book and a Sam Fadala BP book to read up on whats out there and what to do (and what NOT to do!!). I've been thinking about a rifle along the lines of a CVA Optima/Optima Pro, Wolf, or Beartooth. I think they all are basically the same action but don't now how they differ from there. Then of course is the Sidekick from NEF. I own a 20 gauge Pardner that I can't complain about and a .204 Handi that is seemingly working out ok. I like that the Sidekick is built right here in the US. I also like the fact that the barrels and actions have not been the subject of all of those Spanish barrel blowup rumors. I really wanted a barrel that would handle a patched round ball but of course none of the brands/models I mentioned will do that (at least not well). I suppose I could buy a Lyman GP rifle or a TC Hawken. But there goes $400+. Heck for $400 I could buy one of the fore mentioned "cheap" rifles and some powder/ 209 primers, conicals or sabots, some anti sieze lube for the breech plug, and some solvent and be shooting. But I also know I get what I pay for. I like the looks of a traditional rifle and for a modern BP rifle, the wood/blued Sidekick model does look somewhat traditional. Will the Sidekick or any of the CVA models shoot a cast lead conical very well? Or are they mostly for sabots? I guess I just would like some HONEST facts or strong opinions on what's good when it comes to the 'bottom of the barrel' type BP guns. Many thanks in advance. And Happy Thanksgiving to all!

jbtazgrabber · « **Reply #1 on:** November 24, 2005, 12:55:15 PM »

ok lets get one thing straight to begin with SIDEKICKS ARE NOT BOTTEM OF THE BARREL.......OK THAT SAID LET ME SEE IF I CAN anser some of your questions......been shooting h&r for 24 years...they are good......got a huntsman..killed a lot of deer with it ....illl put it agaist any of those high $$ guns any day of the week......they will shot balls ok <<<just what i read here >>><rb guns that is....i want my deer to die where i shoot them not run off so i even rifle hunt with my huntsman most of the time......90 gr. loose pryo, 240 xtp bullet hornady green sabot.....in all my bp guns now....ok onlt thing i dislike about huntsman is 2 things the ramrod which is ok but only 4 field use........2 reason is its a tad heavy,to me.....they will shoot lead bullets good also........beter half has a bearthooth...is ok see killed a few deer with it....its lighter.has no primer carriers,<which is good and bad>dont think the barrel is as good shooter as huntsman..but its good enough...we carry our guns alot so they get heavy by the end of day.......only had cva 4 2 years no trouble yet but...but the huntsman side kick is a better gun 4 a little more$$.....cva is a faster twist barrel it might not shoot balls as good?? hope this helps jb...

ogo · « **Reply #2 on:** November 24, 2005, 04:36:43 PM »

I ain't looking to start nothing, but I'll put my Huntsman up against any and I mean any price ML on the market. may not out shoot it but I'll hold my own.any day.**********************ogo

jgalar · « **Reply #3 on:** November 24, 2005, 05:57:07 PM »

I have never owned a Huntsman so can't comment on them, but I own a bunch of other muzzleloaders. My Remington 700ML shoots great with home cast conicals and not bad at all with round ball. It has I believe a 1 in 28 twist. My 1 in 48 twist guns will shoot short conicals and round ball very well. Don't be afraid to try an inexpensive gun, even inexpensive muzzleloaders can shoot very accurately. I have bought muzzleloaders for under $100 that shoot very well. The set triggers on the cheap Hawkens type guns (CVA, Traditions) can be adjusted as light as any custom trigger job. The choice of modern or traditional is a personal decision. Have fun.

JimG · « **Reply #4 on:** November 25, 2005, 03:31:32 AM »

Did'nt mean to fuffle any feathers when I used the words 'cheap' and 'bottom of the barrel'. I LIKE inexpensive guns! H-R/NEF, CZ, Hi-Point fall in to this catagory. I also like US made guns. What I ment was 'cheap' compared in price and some features to higher priced guns like Knight and T/C. Will likely buy the .50 cal Sidekick with the wood stock and blued steel.

DanielWGriggs · « **Reply #5 on:** November 25, 2005, 04:59:13 AM »

Jim you are on the opposite side of ths state from me and I have an old huntsman in 58 cal that Shoots prb into cloverleafs with 70 gr of FFFg BP. It shoots a new style minie with 75gr of FFg just a hair left of the prb's and either load drops deer. I mean pull the trigger and get out the knife cause you have work to do. I have had this rifle since 1976 and tracked one old doe about 20yds into the woods. She jumped the fence and fell down a bluff into a creek.

My plans are to get the Combo 12ga TrackerII/and the .50cal ML when tax time comes around this year. I will add a 20ga USH later if possible if not I will get a 20ga Tracker II barrel for it. Wife don't like the punch in the shoulder due to bursitis.

I think you will be well pleased with the Sidekick/Huntsman whichever you decide. Please read up on the Special Charactoristics of the NEF/H&R's, buy some permatex antisieze and let me know how it goes.
Boltaction Lives over in Shawneetown we hunt squirrels in the Southern forests together. See lots of deer/turkey might consider h=unting down there next year....Enjoy whatever decision you make.

slayer · « **Reply #6 on:** November 25, 2005, 01:28:26 PM »

I try to buy American made stuff first, and the NEF Sidekick for $159.99 is the best money spent in my opinion for the Blue/Wood model, my preferance for looks anyways. I shoots everything quite well and the trigger awsome!! I use either a RB in front of 80 grains of goex 2F or a Buffalo Bullet Ball-Et in front of 90 grains of Goex 2F. I shot a big Doe at 40 yeard right in the neck with the Ball-Et and that was that. The breechplug is the only thing I really can`t stand on the Sidekick. I use the Veriflame system and use Small Pistol Primers instead of 209 primers. Jack.

mt_jeep · « **Reply #7 on:** November 27, 2005, 03:38:34 AM »

When I started researching muzzleloading I found this site and a site called chuckhawks.com to be a big help. If you've not been over to Chuck Hawks, then I'd advise you to give it a read.

All said and done... I "wanted" an Encore, but the practical side of me said "NEF Sidekick." My goal was a 200 yard rifle... last week I shot a 4" group at 200 yards with the Sidekick in prep for my illinois hunt. I don't think an Encore could have done any better... I think I made the right decision.

Good Luck

Tcallbuilder · « **Reply #8 on:** November 27, 2005, 05:25:47 AM »

If you are looking for a good gun at a reasonable price...i just dont see how you can go wrong with a huntsman or sidekick.
I have owned mz's made by T/C, Knight, CVA, and now NEF.and have loaded and shot a few more makes.

I still have a T/C (sidelock) and a Knight (inline) that never come out of the closet....except for cleaning.
The huntsman is my goto gun.

It will shoot anything I stuff down the barrel farily well and with a load it likes It will out shoot my others hands down.

TCB