I have one I bought new back the last year they sold them. I will not ever sell this gun I love it. They were built for long range shooting. The papers that came with the gun guarantee I think a 1inch group at 200 yrds. It is a great gun but might be a little on the heavy side for a first time hunter.
http://www.topratedadventures.com/Newsl ... arch05.htm
Design
The overall appearance of Austin & Halleck 420 in-line is extremely pleasing. The synthetic stock (and curly maple stock) are of a modern straight comb design. Interesting detail for the synthetic stock - the trigger guard is part of the stock mold, and the checkering features the same fleur-de-lis on both stocks giving a classic continuity when the two stocks are switched.
The massive 26" octagonal-to-round barrel make an early statement about A&H proverbial accuracy and balances the rifle general appearance linking the heart of this rifle to the traditional muzzleloader design. It seemed to be saying, " I am modern, but I have not totally forgotten my past". This traditional link is also reinforced in the 420 models by the choice of the manufacturer in providing an additional beautiful wood stock, which will look great next
Stock Ergonomics
The stock design of the "Classic" was modeled from the pre-64 Winchester master-grade and features a satin finish on the wood. Both stocks have a straight design with a full pistol grip, a rubber recoil pad and wrap-around fleur-de-lis checkering. There are some small differences in the way the pistol grip is shaped in the wood stock. However, scoped or not, the Classic style is a great all around stock design for any kind of shooting. The "Monte Carlo" stock was modeled after the Weatherby Mark V and features: a high gloss finish, 20 lines to the inch checkering, curly maple wood and a raised comb so that the shooter's eye is perfectly aligned for a scope with low to medium rings. If you plan to scope and like the feel and design of the Weatherby, Monte Carlo is probably the best choice.
Assembly
The only assembly required is the sliding of the bolt in position, which is accomplished by the familiar pressing of the trigger while a forward motion is applied to the bolt unit to fit into the receiver.
Functionalities & Features
The Austin & Halleck has an electroless nickel-plated finishes
Action
In-line percussion with removable weather shroud
Receiver and barrel - high polish blue or electroless nickel-plated finishes
Material: Bolt - 440 stainless steel
Hammer Throw - .199"
Bolt Release - No tool required - just pull the bolt backward and lower the bolt handle once you reach the � position to allow the bolt to slide completely out.
Drilled and tapped for #50032 Leupold or A & H SB-N or SB-B Scope bases
Trigger
Is a fully adjustable match grade trigger with a trigger block safety - it is regulated at the factory to break at a crisp 3 �.
Barrel
26" overall - 1" octagon to 3/4" tapered round
.50 caliber
8 lands and grooves (.007" depth)
One turn in 28"
All Austin & Halleck rifle barrels are manufactured in Spain. They are made using a cold-draw process that creates rifling, finished bored diameter and outside dimensions in a single operation. Following the cold-draw process, the barrels are stress relieved to approximately 75RB (Rockwell Hardness). This process provides a smooth, concentric accurate barrel that is free of inherent defects found in barrels made using a multi-operation process.
Stock
- Black synthetic resin, Checkered with fleur-de-lis, 1 inch recoil pad, weight 2 � lbs.
- American Curly Maple Checkered with fleur-de-lis, � inch recoil pad, weight 2 � lbs.
Sights
Marble's fully adjustable steel rear sight and front site are topped with orange and green pipes which are furnished by Truglo. The second option that we recommend is aperture sights made by AO Sight Systems, Inc (formerly Ashley). These sights were made specifically for our rifles.
General
Overall - Length 47 1/2"
Overall Weight - 7 lb. 14 oz. Factory declared (our test rifle measured 9 lbs. with synthetic stock and rod)
Barrelled action with bolt (without stock) - weight 6 � lbs.
How did it work for us?
I took my test 50 cal. A&H the rifle to the range were I met with Buddy Ebell, one of the Junior shooters of our Youth Hunter Education Challenge (YHEC) program. In the YHEC muzzlelaoding event the kids shoot at targets up to 75 yards from standing, kneeling, sitting and prone position. They are allowed to use a maximum of 60 grains of powder or powder equivalent.
Thus we started practicing with 60 grains Pyrodex (two 30 grains pellets from Hodgdon) for they are very convenient to use and especially working with young shooters they help keeping the whole operation safe. We used 209 Remington primers (the 209 ignition nipple comes set up standard from the factory). For our first test we used Rainier Ballistics Hex Hollow Point from Harverster - a 260 grain sabot of 45 caliber. The first shot at 25 yards was �" inch high from the bullseye. We moved at 50 yards, were the next two shots landed 1 inch apart and 3 inches to the left and 1 inch low. We adjusted the rear sight (remember move the rear sight where you want the bullet to go, move the front the opposite way). The next two shots touched each other one inch to far to the right. By now the wind was really blowing from the north creating a crosswind effect which made the shooting unpleasant and quite possibly less accurate. The next shot hit the bullseye perfectly. Although the weather conditions were deteriorating fast we wanted to experiment with another bullet before quitting. We decided to use a heavier TC Maxi Hunter 350 grain bullet with Remington wad and 100 grains of powder (2 50 grains pellets). Surprisingly the point of impact was just 1 inch higher with the same windage. We shot another couple of shots at 50 yds, then we moved to 100 yards. The first two shots landed 2 inches left of the bullseye, with good elevation. By now the rain added to the substantial wind and we decided to quit. But we are not done with our field test and we intend to go out again and report the results at 100 yds and maybe 200 yds. With different bullets and 100 / 150 grain of powder.
First field impressions
The A&H is a very comfortable sweet rifle to shoot. The stock design seems to damper the recoil to almost a non-existing factor, especially when we shot only 60 grains of powder equivalent. The bolt operates fast and smoothly, this is really not a great advantage in a ML, for the speed of the second shot is not dictated by the speed of the bolt, but by many other factors. However, this tells us that the people at A&H know how to build a good bolt. During the shooting test we run a wet patch with a cleaner after each shot we took. I like to break-in a new barrel this way. The 209 ignition functioned flawlessly and did not require cleaning but we kept a close eye to its condition. There was a bit of blowback but it was never dangerous or too noticeable. An interesting fact is that the primer was "self extracted' and remained attached to the face of the striker bolt. The trigger broke around 3.7 lbs with almost no take-up, no grit and a consistent and crisp pull. Oh yes, one thing we did not like. The brass ramrod tip. I understand that this has only a pushing function but it is too wide. It barely fits trough a very clean barrel, and it becomes increasingly harder to push after shot 2 and 3. I never tried shot 4 with a dirty barrel. However it is a standard thread and it can be easily replaced. [there is always something we don't like - but this is very small potatoes indeed].
One word will summarize our initial filed test: we must own one of these beauties.
FINAL COMMENT
I truly love this rifle. It is a mix of good looks and solid performance. I love its massive octagonal to round barrel. The trigger is a true 'shooting aid' - simply it helps the shooter shoot well. The wood stock makes it very elegant and the synthetic stock is rugged and very practical. It comes with its own rifle case, no need to spend additional money here and best of all, it shoots like a dream. Well, we tip our hats to Austin & Halleck Gun Crafters for an outstanding all-American product.
