Hey Guys I bought a NEF Huntsman BP rifle & so far I'm getting lousy accuracy. I have tried Hornady Sabots with a .452 xtp. I tried T/C sabots with .430 240 Grain xtp. Patched ball & Hornady Great plains bullet & so far nothing is very consistant best groups about 4" at 100 Yards. I 've been using 777 Powder.



So My question is what are you guys shooting out of these rifles & what kind of accuracy should I be able to get ??

How many grains of 777 have you tried? If you're using two pellets, switch to loose powder. Just five grains plus or minus can narrow those groups. Another option is to try a couple more sabot/bullet brands or purchase a better grade rifle by Knight, T/C or Austin/Halleck.



Both CVA and Tradition Rifle companies, which NEF competes with, will tell you over the phone that 4" at 100 yards is acceptable to them. Sometimes, you get what you pay for... but there are times a $139 ML will outshot a much better crafted $439 one at 100 yards, but not very often & when they do, it's usually only a limited time.

Rich,
I've been wondering how those things shot. You didn't say if you were using a scope or not. I hope you are!

If it were me, here's what I'd do:
1. Clean the CRAP out of your barrel. Maybe even use 50-100 strokes of JB paste after cleaning throughly with black powder solvent. Let's start out with a barrel as clean as possible.
2. Make SURE all stock/action/scope mount screws are tight.
3. Use a sturdy/steady rest such as a Caldwell "The Rock" or better with a rear bag.
4. Buy some loose Triple Se7en ffg.
5. Go back to the XTPs. No way of knowing which your rifle will like best so you'll want to try both. I'd start out with 70gr by volume of 777 and shoot a 3 shot group with .429 240gr XTPs. Next try the .452 XTPs with the same charge. 70-90gr of 777 SHOULD give you some good groups.
6. Be SURE to swab the bore with a clean spit patch between shots. I give the barrel a couple of up/downs with the spit side and reverse the patch and down and up one more time. Very important.
7. I don't shoot groups with the ramrod on the gun. Leave it on the bench.
8. It's summer so barrels get hot and group size increase. Allow the gun to cool off between three shot groups. I always take a couple of extra guns to shoot during the cool down period.
9. Go to the range by yourself so you can concentrate on what you're doing. Worst thing I can do is see a "buddy" and all he wants to do is TALK!

Good luck and let us know how you do.

Thanks I'll Give that a try. I have another problem as well even though I put never seize on the threads I can't get the breach plug out. I have the Huntsman package that Had a Simmons 3X9 on it. That is also part of the problem with the breach plug it gets in the way using the screw driver through the plug as shown in the instructions.

I started at 70 & went to 90 of 777 ffg with the .429 xtps & sabots. The .452 xtp & sabots were so so tight I had to stop as I was having troubles getting them down the barrel.

"I have another problem as well even though I put never seize on the threads I can't get the breach plug out."

Oh, oh!

First try some of your black powder solvent. Squirt some down the barrel so there's plenty on the breech plug. Let it soak a while and then try to get it out. VERY hot soapy water down the bore and soak is the sure fire method. Some even use a hair dryer to get the breech hot and them back the plug out.

During extended shooting sessions, expecially during the summer, I take the breech plug out after 10-15 shots and re-coat with Never Seize. Also, don't forget to use a Q-tip to coat the breech threads with Never Seize. Just coating the breech threads will probably take care of future problems.

Thanks Chuck
I have it soaking in a hot bucket of soapy water now. I put never seize on the threads of the plug before shooting. I didn't put any on the threads in the barrel. I didn't think about that. I also found rear scope mount loose could explain poor groups. Hopefully I can get the plug out & remount it for next time. First I have to get the plug out.

Rich Jake,

I dont own a Huntsman. But 348grn Powerbelts might not be a bad Bullet to try. They alway's seem to be accurate.

Hey Grouse!

Yeah...Most rifles will shoot either the 295gr or 348gr Powerbelt well.

Jake,
Did you get your breech plug out?

No sir I didn't. I have mailed it back to H&R as per their instructions. They said since it is under warantee they would remove it retrace the threads & replace the breach plug. I am thankful for that. I hope to be back in business shortly.

Man, I HATE that! Just getting into the groove of shooting and all. I've come CLOSE...but I've never had a breech plug stick.

A couple of things I do to keep from having this problem. As I said I get a Q-Tip and coat the breech threads and well as the breech plug threads with Never-Seize. Next, I'll screw it down tight and back is out 1/8 to 1/4 of a turn. If it's REALLY hot outside and I'm doing a LOT of shooting..I'll take the plug out and recoat and screw back in. Never had a problem when doing that and I've had some 50 shot days on a muzzleloader. Probably MORE.

I'd be interested in seeing how that Huntsman shoots for you when you get it back!

Rich Jake, so long as they have it anyway you might as well let them know you were having accuracy woes and ask for a barrel check and recommendations.

Mine loves 400 grain PRBullet Ultimate 1 conicals - but you probably already know that if you read through the whole thread someone linked for you.

They Suggested 240 Grain 44 caliber XTP's with a 100 Grains of pyrodex with a Hornady sabot. So I bought some to try upon it's return.

"They Suggested 240 Grain 44 caliber XTP's with a 100 Grains of pyrodex with a Hornady sabot."

The .430 240gr XTPs shoot good in everything I've tried them in. I can't see why they wouldn't work with Triple Se7en as well.