(super-noob question) which brand to start?
 

Hello all-
I've done some muzzleloader shooting, with an old Lyman inline that was built to Yugo stadards. Never hunted with it because I seriously doubted that it would fire if I saw a deer (quite accurate when it did manage to fire, though)

Now, I want to buy a new muzzleloader. It will be for general pleasure shooting until whitetail season, where I plan to hunt woods and cornfields with a practical range of 100-150 yards. It'll almost certainly be an inline .50 with a 209 and a scope. It will certainly be at the lower end of the price range... I can afford around $200 for ML and scope.

What brand, model, color, flavor etc would you suggest?

RE: (super-noob question) which brand to start?
 

Unless you find a nice sale on this, this is a bargain at regular price. The gun-alone is around $169. So go borrow around $50 for this complete package with shipping to your door.

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jsp?_DARGS=/cabelas/en/common/catalog/item-link.jsp_A&_DAV=null-cat20815&id=0027233215448a&navCount=2& podId=0027233&parentId=cat20815&masterpath id=&navAction=push&catalogCode=XF&rid= &parentType=index&indexId=cat20815&has JS=true

RE: (super-noob question) which brand to start?
 

I'd second Triple Se7en's recommendation... For a scope get a Bushnell Banner Dusk to Dawn scope. They are about $69.00 and some B-Square mounts and you should be all set... It will run you a little over $200.00 but you have a set up that technically is all you need for the rest of your life..

RE: (super-noob question) which brand to start?
 

I was in fact looking at that gun... thank you for verifying its potential.

is 2x7 a good range for the scope, considering my New England underbrush, or should I try to find a lower range?

RE: (super-noob question) which brand to start?
 

I have an Omega and an NEF both with Simmons 1.5-5 prodiamond shotgun scopes. I really like the scope and the prodiamond crosshair helps me with a limited sight problem with my right eye. I have a blind spot exactly on the focal point of the eye so the diamond helps to center the crosshairs. I have had shots in the woods and with it on 1.5 it is as good as iron sights for me. The price is all over the map but you can usually find a sale for around $60. I searched several sites and finally landed on Sportsmans Guide for $39but the scope turned out to be the one with illuminated reticle and the rear of the scope is too large to work without going to maximum high rings on the Huntsman to clear the hammer. I sent it back and paid a little more but got the correct one finally. I think it was about $56.00.

RE: (super-noob question) which brand to start?
 

Unless you wait till the end of the season and get an Omega on sale at walmart you can't do better than the one Triple Se7enrecommended.
He got it right this time. Lee

RE: (super-noob question) which brand to start?
 

I have a Nikon Pro Staff 2-7x32mm on my White Ultra Mag and love the scope. Although if you're trying to stay in a budget, it will put you over a little as they run about $129.00

Actually there is nothing wrong with a 3-9x40mm just make sure to check the eye relief. You want to find one with about 4" of eye relief. I have a 1.5-4.5x32mm Bushnell Banner Dusk to Dawn on my Black Diamond XR and it would be a good 150 yard rifle. The advantage of the higher power would be on the target range. I havea Sightron S1 and a Millet Buck on a different one. Both of them are 3-9x40mm and they are great scopes as well.

RE: (super-noob question) which brand to start?
 

Is the NEF Sidekick one of the ones that can accept another barrel to become a single-shot .308 for instance?

RE: (super-noob question) which brand to start?
 

Yes, you can get another barrel for it but you have to send it in to NEF and it 6-8 weeks turn around. Lee

RE: (super-noob question) which brand to start?
 

Once I have done that, can I swap barrels at home, or is changing barrels always six weeks at NEF?

I'm picturing getting a 12ga barrel for duck, a .308 or 7mm for rifle season, and of course the .50 ML. Would I be able to swap things around with relative ease, or should I plan to buy three firearms (one a year or so, with my budget)

RE: (super-noob question) which brand to start?
 

I think you had better check on whether the Sidekick will allow instalation of another barrel. The NEF Huntsman will and is sold as a firearm. The Sidekick is sold as a muzzleloader and does not have to have the papers like a firearm. If they installed a barrel for centerfire on a Sidekick it would likely be illegal since the action was never sold as a firearm. The Sidekick and Huntsman actions have a different location of the pin that the barrels hinge on and that is to eliminate the possiblility that a centerfire barrel or a shotgun barrel could be installed on the Sidekick. Check first before spending money and finding out you can not do what you intend. Once the barrel is fitted to the Huntsman it can be interchanged at will. It just has to be qualified for correct headspace by NEF the first time it is fitted.

RE: (super-noob question) which brand to start?
 

You have to have an SB2 Frame to put high power rifle barrels with a muzzleloader barrel the Sidekick is only a muzzleloader frame and no other barrels are available for it. The huntsman will take shotgun barrels. H&R did sell a SB 2 frame with 243 and muzzloader barrel check thgere we site

RE: (super-noob question) which brand to start?
 

here ya a couple of other places to look at prices..

http://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/deptsearch1x.asp?dept=%4D%75%7A%7A%6C%65%6C%6F%61% 64%69%6E%67

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/index.php/cPath/36_451

RE: (super-noob question) which brand to start?
 

That NEF sidekick from cabelas is over priced. I find them at local gun shops for anywhere from $169-179 brand new.

RE: (super-noob question) which brand to start?
 

Did you notice that the one at Cabelas had a variable power scope with it for $229.00. Thats a pretty good price wit a veri. scope.

RE: (super-noob question) which brand to start?
 

The Sidekick is a muzzleloader only, the Huntsman is the only one youcan swap out barrels on.

I have a NEF Sidekick, great gun. purchased from dallas tactical almost 2 yrs ago

RE: (super-noob question) which brand to start?
 

It is $169 at Cabelas. You were probably only looking at the page where the upper-tier NEF Sidekicks are. There are two webpages for Sidekicks at Cabelas.com

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jsp?_DARGS=/cabelas/en/common/catalog/item-link.jsp_A&_DAV=null-cat20815&id=0027233215447a&navCount=2& podId=0027233&parentId=cat20815&masterpath id=&navAction=push&catalogCode=XF&rid= &parentType=index&indexId=cat20815&has JS=true

RE: (super-noob question) which brand to start?
 

The die is cast. I've purchased an NEF Hunstman with the stainless barrel. It should arrive next week. $206 from Wal-mart. I'll hunt over iron this season and buy a decent scope next year.

Thank you all for the advice!