[Ian_1911]

So, I ended up getting a H&R "Huntsman" for free yesterday.

http://img820.imageshack.us/gal.php?g=img3112d.jpg

I've never fired a muzzle loader before though, so I don't know what all I need.
If someone could tell me what primers I need to get or if I need a specific type of blackpowder, or bullets, (.58) I'd appreciate it.

Maybe some do's and don't's with muzzle loaders as well.
Also, is it bad to dry fire these? Just curious.

I read on some other forum that someone was killed with one of these older models of the Huntsman because they used to seal in the breech plug with an O ring instead of making it screw in. Apparently he had a hangfire and he opened it and it fired, the breech plug flew into his head. This one does not screw in. Should I be worried about that?

 

[SFT]

So, I ended up getting a H&R "Huntsman" for free yesterday.

http://img820.imageshack.us/gal.php?g=img3112d.jpg

I've never fired a muzzle loader before though, so I don't know what all I need.
If someone could tell me what primers I need to get or if I need a specific type of blackpowder, or bullets, (.58) I'd appreciate it.

Maybe some do's and don't's with muzzle loaders as well.
Also, is it bad to dry fire these? Just curious.

I read on some other forum that someone was killed with one of these older models of the Huntsman because they used to seal in the breech plug with an O ring instead of making it screw in. Apparently he had a hangfire and he opened it and it fired, the breech plug flew into his head. This one does not screw in. Should I be worried about that?

Please do some research on the O-ring vs. screw in choke. It appears that you have a muzzle loader made in the 1970's that has been discontinued, have a gunsmith check it out first.

 

[Ian_1911]

Ok, I'll have it checked out.

 

[SFT]

Ok, I'll have it checked out.

I can just hear the disappointment in your voice, but it's just better that you invest in a little safety first, don't take a chance. If it's not safe to shoot we'll find one for you, don't worry and if it checks out then we'll help you find the perfect load for it then too.

 

[tacklebury]

I agree it'd be a good idea to get someone to look at it first. However, if a person was killed in that manner, it's because he isn't following proper firearm safety protocol. If you pull the trigger on any gun and it doesn't go off, the proper method of handling it is to keep the gun in the ready position and pointed at the spot you want it to hit for 1 FULL minute or more. IF after 1 minute, the gun hasn't gone off, it is safe to check for issues and unload the firearm. Never crack open an inline until after this time if it happens to you. Same thing goes with centerfire ammunition powered arms. If the person in question had followed this, they probably wouldn't have had an issue. ALWAYS make sure when loading the muzzle loader that the projectile is seated tight to the powder too, because it is a dangerous situation to have an air gap above the powder charge with Blackpowder. This may well have been the issue in your story. 8) Good luck and be safe..

 

[crazyhick]

I have this gun also, but it is the 12gauge version (yes you read that right). the man that used to own it before he passed on had used 80g of powder and a .72 cal roundball. it never seemed to push that round fast enough to get it anywhere.

My questions are can you use salvaged shotgun slugs in it instead of the roundball and what is the max powder charge this gun can handle?

 

[tacklebury]

I think as a muzzle loader, you'd have a tough time getting the slugs to load properly without damaging the skirt/base. That aside, you should put an over powder wad and fiber wad in prior to loading your round ball in a 12 ga. You were probably not getting good power because of the fact that a round ball loaded into a smoothbore that will clear the choke, would most likely be smaller than the inner bore, thereby letting much of the gasses escape. You could get into trouble with this also, if your round ball rolled down ahead of the powder and could easily bulge/burst your barrel. If it were me, I'd want the wads in place and I'd probably push a fiber wad down on top also to keep the ball from rolling/shifting. As for charge, in muzzle loading shotguns, it's typically equal powder to lead in drams or grains by volume. Since you are using the round ball, though, I'm unsure of your starting point. If you get the wads and try them, start at about 60 grains and see how it performs with the wads. Obviously, 80gr isn't overpressuring now, but once the wads seal the bore some, it might, so start safe. Maybe someone else with experience in shotgun/round ball will chime in. 8)

You might want to try 11 ga wads for better seal or 12ga.
http://www.buffaloarms.com/browse.cfm/4,8063.html

These are the over powder wads:
http://www.buffaloarms.com/browse.cfm/4,4964.html