Sidekick, what next?
 

I haven't been able to get good groups with my new sidekick. Here is what I've tried: American Pioneer FFF 80gr, 90gr, 100gr, 110gr with 250 red hots (expanders) with sabots that came with it and harvester crushed ribs. Tried hornady 240 XTP with harverster crush rib sabots. Tried 245gr Ball-ets with lube removed (no lube because of APP). I shot the ball-ets first.

80grains got me down to the 4 inch group. The other loads had me around 5 or 6. I was shooting 50 yards. No bullet shot better than the other.

Shot my .22 to see if it was just me and I could hit a quarter size everytime with it. I thought I was holding rock steady.

The sidekick has a scope. I got my shots on the paper and didn't try to set it. I figured, what's the point until I get good groups.

I tried letting the barrel cool and swabbing every three shots--no difference.

Any and all suggestions are welcome and appreciated.

RE: Sidekick, what next?
 

250gr shockwave and 120gr FFG have always been good group givers for my inlines :)

RE: Sidekick, what next?
 

It might be the APP. I would suggest trying some Triple Se7en 2f 100 grains and a projectile or some Pyrodex with the same charge. Some rifles just do not like APP.

RE: Sidekick, what next?
 

The only other powder that I've used is pyrodex (but not with this rifle). I've never tried Triple seven. You think I should try that before another powder? What are the characteristics of that compared to pyrodex and APP?

RE: Sidekick, what next?
 

jojotater, I know a lot of people here advocate using P or fff but I had the same experance and pistol powder just would not group with anything I could consider a hunting load. I now shoot APP-FF and it will shoot any SW and all the commen XTP's I also have good luck with several sabots.
Try all powders especally the recommended granulations.I found some loads that will tear a ragged hole at 100yd.None of the FFF granulations work well enough to be a hunting load in my 50cal or larger rifles. I do use FFF in my Rugar revolver and two of my 45 cal rifles. Lee

RE: Sidekick, what next?
 

Try using a 300gr XTP with a MMP short black sabot, starting at 80gns of T-7 ff, alcohol patch & 2 dry patches between shots, take your time shooting and try it with 6 shots 3&3 on different targets. Then go to 85 grns, then 90. be consistent on your load measuring.

RE: Sidekick, what next?
 

My son owns a MDM Quikshooter which looks like it came off the same assembly line as an NEF. His rifle loves Pyrodex and he proved it again this weekend up at camp. 2 or 3 of the 50g pellets or 120g loose RS and he was tearing up the joint with his rifle.

He was stuffing anything down the bore as well I was feeding him old mag express sabots with 300g Nosler bullets and he hit as good as with the 250g shockwaves. Granted we were only shooting 50yds but that gun was shooting mighty fine. He has some bonded shockwaves and Triple Se7en but he did not want to shoot them. He has the scope dialed in with a 120g load of that stuff for hunting season.

RE: Sidekick, what next?
 

I think cayugad is correct. My sidekick doesn't like APP either. Using 80 grains and 385 I get velocities ranging from 975 fps to 1500 fps. And of course, the just spray in the vertical with such a broad range of velocity and recoil.

I don't know why APP refuses to burn consistentlyin my Sidekick. I suggest pyro P which I have had luck with using light projectiles or maybe 777 which I want to try.

Phil

RE: Sidekick, what next?
 

Seems most opinions lean toward the powder. I think I'm going to try the APP ff as Lee suggests (I used fff), then try 777.

Phil did you try APP ff or fff? What powder and bullet shoots best in your sidekick, and how good are your groups? Thank y'all. John

RE: Sidekick, what next?
 

John, I tried the fff. Still got almost a pound of it, later i'm gonna try using it in my hawken rifle. My groups were horrible with it. Even with lighter bullets. Some shots were duds and they wouldimpact high and completely off the target at 50 yards.

Since I'm in Colorado, I use full bore conicals. I am having good luck with the 385 GP by Hornady and the Buffalo Bullet 270 Ballet. 3f Black powder works very goodat 80-90 grains with the 385 GP. I've had some three shot groups under 2 inches at 100 yardsbut if I keep shooting the groups are generally 4 1/2 inches with 5 or 6 shots, (shootingopen sights). The 270 ballet really likes Pyro P. 60 grains propells it to 1490 fpsbut I haven't shot it beyond 50 yards. Probably 70 to 75 grains is ideal and should propell the ballet to 1630 fps or so. I think both loads I mentioned could be beefed up (more powder) without losing much, if any, accuracy.

RE: Sidekick, what next?
 

ill use between 100 and 110 grains of pyrodex with a 240 or 300 grain either dead center or qt bullet from precision rifle(i believe thats the name) with excellent results. i have, however, had other barrels from nef that just wouldnt shoot. after trying everything i could think of- and nearly throwing it in the creek- i sent it back to em. they sent me a replacement, and it was like night vs day.
tim

RE: Sidekick, what next?
 

I will go another direction first, I say scope. Something you have tried should shoot. What are you using?

MZs are hard on scopes.

RE: Sidekick, what next?
 

I think you would like 777. I used it in a Sidekick and it shot very well. 777 is about 15% to 20% more powerful than Pyrodex and APP. using loose powder of the same volume. Pyrodex usually shoots well but is more dirty and more corossive than either 777 or APP.

RE: Sidekick, what next?
 

Found the right combination with 110 gr APP FFG instead of FFFG. I used 250 Barnes Expanders with Harvester Crush Rib sabots.

RE: Sidekick, what next?
 

That load should be deadly on deer. Good luck.