« previous next »
Pages: [1]   Go Down

Author Topic: The Buffalo Hunters/ and Long Distance Shooting  (Read 823 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline Sourdough

  • Trade Count: (1)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 8150
  • Gender: Male
The Buffalo Hunters/ and Long Distance Shooting
« on: October 04, 2009, 08:07:41 AM »
I have read so much about the Buffalo Hunters, and the guns they used.  While the Sharps 50 in it's many variations was popular, and according to some, was the most used gun.  A lot of the Buffalo shooters used Sharps and other makes chambered for the 45-70, 45-90, 45-110, and the 45-120.  If these guns would kill a Buffalo at ranges from 400, to 800 yards, using Black Powder Cartridges, why can we not do the same today?  (OK you guys with Buffalo Classics how are you doing?)

This is the point that got me to thinking about shooting at long distances.  Then when my buddy in 1996 used my Handi Rifle in 30-06 to knock over a wolf at 1000 yards, it got the fire burning in me to learn to shoot like that.  Then I started reading about the Prairie Dog Shoots.

One of the major differences between me and the Buffalo Hunters, was the issue of making a humane kill.  While a spine shot Buff dropped in it's tracks, to many of the Buffalo hunters thinking, a gut shot Buff died the same as a lung shot Buff, it just might walk a little farther.  This is what I wanted to avoid at all cost.  And with the accuracy of my Handi 30-06 I felt I could do that.  I'm now happy with the 30-06, and my shooting ability with it and other guns I own.  Now I am starting to work with my 45-70 Handi to determine it's potential. 

I've killed Moose at 800 yards, and now a Grizzly at 600 yards.  Granted not with a Handi, but now it's time to use the handi.  The 45-70 and the .450 Marlin is the only cartridges chambered in the Handi that I feel have the capability of bringing down a Moose at those ranges. 

Tim: I know you have chambered one of your guns for the 45-110, How does it shoot reaching out beyond 100 yards or have you tried it farther yet?
Logged
Where is old Joe when we really need him?  Alaska Independence    Calling Illegal Immigrants "Undocumented Aliens" is like calling Drug Dealers "Unlicensed Pharmacists"
What Is A Veteran?
A 'Veteran' -- whether active duty, discharged, retired, or reserve -- is someone who, at one point in his life, wrote a blank check made payable to 'The United States of America,' for an amount of 'up to, and including his life.' That is honor, and there are way too many people in this country today who no longer understand that fact.

Offline kevinsmith5

  • Trade Count: (4)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1274
  • Gender: Male
Re: The Buffalo Hunters/ and Long Distance Shooting
« Reply #1 on: October 04, 2009, 08:44:00 AM »
The 45-70 with smokeless will shoot at the same velocity levels, with the same weight bullets, that a BP 45-110 would. And you can get bullets with better ballistics now too. The main thing you have to remember when shooting a rifle like this long ranges is that a modern scope is ussually not designed for bullets with as much drop as a a long range 45-70 shot. This is why long range BP shooters use tang sights and ladder sights for long range shooting.

I would not hesitate to take a 400 yard shot at a moose with a 410 gr 45-70.  Beyond that I might, but if I was going to actually go on a Moose hunt I would probably practice at long range more.  I have gone 3 for three on knocking over the 1000 yard Buffalo at the local range before, but I don't know that any of those would've been quick kills.
Logged
If he's carrying a singleshot, don't expect a warning shot!

Offline quickdtoo

  • Global Moderator
  • Trade Count: (149)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 43304
  • Gender: Male
Re: The Buffalo Hunters/ and Long Distance Shooting
« Reply #2 on: October 04, 2009, 09:26:26 AM »
Mine's a 45-120 Rog, longest I've shot it is 200yds, 525gr Beartooth Piledriver at ~1800fps using a peep sight, the advantage of the 45-120 using smokeless powder is you can go to max 45-70 velocities at about 10-20kpsi less pressure, that load runs about 30kpsi, the same velocity in a 45-70, if you can get there would be close to 50kpsi. At just 40kpsi, the 45-120 will easily push 405gr bullets past 2500fps.

Tim

http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,148995.msg1098618734.html#msg1098618734


I made a sight adjustment after the first shot which is high.
Logged
"Always do right, this will gratify some and astonish the rest" -  Mark Twain

Offline kevinsmith5

  • Trade Count: (4)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1274
  • Gender: Male
Re: The Buffalo Hunters/ and Long Distance Shooting
« Reply #3 on: October 04, 2009, 09:40:08 AM »
How was the recoil on that Tim?

2500 fps on a 405 gr load...hmmmmm.....

My wife may be mad at you in a bit Tim....
Logged
If he's carrying a singleshot, don't expect a warning shot!

Offline quickdtoo

  • Global Moderator
  • Trade Count: (149)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 43304
  • Gender: Male
Re: The Buffalo Hunters/ and Long Distance Shooting
« Reply #4 on: October 04, 2009, 09:49:46 AM »
I shot the 525gr Piledriver at 1800fps from the bench seated from a very upright position, wearing a Past Magnum shoulder pad, with a Galco slip-on over the steel butt plate with a lead filled pipe in the stock bolt hole, that's what I used before I got a Leadsled DFT.  ;)

Tyler is a recoil junky, so you'll have to ask him, but here's a video of him shooting his 2500fps 405gr load, he doesn't shoot it from the bench to say the least!!  ;D

Tim

http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,146019.msg1098612473.html#msg1098612473

Logged
"Always do right, this will gratify some and astonish the rest" -  Mark Twain

Offline kevinsmith5

  • Trade Count: (4)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1274
  • Gender: Male
Re: The Buffalo Hunters/ and Long Distance Shooting
« Reply #5 on: October 04, 2009, 09:53:54 AM »
Yeah, but I outweigh Tyler by a good 100 pounds (probably more like 125).  And I put 19 ounces of lead in my stock long ago....will have to give getting another BC barrel to take out to 45-120 some more thought, no way I'm tinkering with my current one- I've got it RIGHT the way I want and would hate to ruin it.
Logged
If he's carrying a singleshot, don't expect a warning shot!

Offline quickdtoo

  • Global Moderator
  • Trade Count: (149)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 43304
  • Gender: Male
Re: The Buffalo Hunters/ and Long Distance Shooting
« Reply #6 on: October 04, 2009, 09:58:36 AM »
That's why I have two BCs, one is still a 45-70 tho.  ;)

Tim
Logged
"Always do right, this will gratify some and astonish the rest" -  Mark Twain

Offline kevinsmith5

  • Trade Count: (4)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1274
  • Gender: Male
Re: The Buffalo Hunters/ and Long Distance Shooting
« Reply #7 on: October 04, 2009, 10:10:15 AM »
I've put a lot of work in to the stock too.  Hate to take a chance on that....might need the whole BC....

Wife will be very mad at you Tim......
Logged
If he's carrying a singleshot, don't expect a warning shot!

Offline quickdtoo

  • Global Moderator
  • Trade Count: (149)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 43304
  • Gender: Male
Re: The Buffalo Hunters/ and Long Distance Shooting
« Reply #8 on: October 04, 2009, 10:10:55 AM »
 ;D ;D ;D
Logged
"Always do right, this will gratify some and astonish the rest" -  Mark Twain

Offline tykempster

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • A Real Regular
  • ****
  • Posts: 798
  • I enjoy long range shooting and big guns.
Re: The Buffalo Hunters/ and Long Distance Shooting
« Reply #9 on: October 04, 2009, 12:10:40 PM »
Recoil on 405 grainers at 2550 is stout.
Logged

Offline dpe.ahoy

  • GBO Supporter
  • Trade Count: (7)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3363
  • Gender: Male
Re: The Buffalo Hunters/ and Long Distance Shooting
« Reply #10 on: October 04, 2009, 01:29:32 PM »
I think you just said the understatement of the week, tyke. ;D  DP
Logged
RIP Oct 27, 2017

Handi's:22Shot, 22LR, 2-22Mag, 22Hornet, 5-223, 2-357Max, 44 mag, 2-45LC, 7-30 Waters, 7mm-08, 280, 25-06, 30-30, 30-30AI, 444Marlin, 45-70, AND 2-38-55s, 158 Topper 22 Hornet/20ga. combo;  Levers-Marlins:Two 357's, 44 mag, 4-30-30s, RC-Glenfields 36G-30A & XLR, 3-35 Rem, M-375, 2-444P's, 444SS, 308 MX, 338Marlin MXLR, 38-55 CB, 45-70 GS, XS7 22-250 and 7mm08;  BLR's:7mm08, 358Win;  Rossi: 3-357mag, 44mag, 2-454 Casull; Winchesters: 7-30 Waters, 45Colt Trapper; Bolt actions, too many;  22's, way too many.  Who says it's an addiction?

Offline kevinsmith5

  • Trade Count: (4)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1274
  • Gender: Male
Re: The Buffalo Hunters/ and Long Distance Shooting
« Reply #11 on: October 04, 2009, 01:47:55 PM »
More than on a 550 at 1900 fps?
Logged
If he's carrying a singleshot, don't expect a warning shot!

Offline quickdtoo

  • Global Moderator
  • Trade Count: (149)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 43304
  • Gender: Male
Re: The Buffalo Hunters/ and Long Distance Shooting
« Reply #12 on: October 04, 2009, 02:06:37 PM »
Seems to me Tyler's load is about 75lbs recoil, the 550gr @ 1900fps is probably about the same.

Tim

http://www.handloads.com/calc/recoil.asp
Logged
"Always do right, this will gratify some and astonish the rest" -  Mark Twain

Offline kevinsmith5

  • Trade Count: (4)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1274
  • Gender: Male
Re: The Buffalo Hunters/ and Long Distance Shooting
« Reply #13 on: October 04, 2009, 02:47:28 PM »
Oh, a new toy! Now I have to go weigh my BC...
Logged
If he's carrying a singleshot, don't expect a warning shot!

Offline tykempster

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • A Real Regular
  • ****
  • Posts: 798
  • I enjoy long range shooting and big guns.
Re: The Buffalo Hunters/ and Long Distance Shooting
« Reply #14 on: October 04, 2009, 03:32:24 PM »
I found that 500 grain bullets at 2250ish kick the most, followed by the 720's, and way on down the line, the 405s.  The hot 500 grain loads have a sharp and forceful recoil, can't explain it unless you shoot them.  I'm sure a better stock design would help.  Whenever I have some spare money I want a bigger gun...
Logged

Offline kevinsmith5

  • Trade Count: (4)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1274
  • Gender: Male
Re: The Buffalo Hunters/ and Long Distance Shooting
« Reply #15 on: October 04, 2009, 03:45:40 PM »
Tye needs a T. Rex.
Logged
If he's carrying a singleshot, don't expect a warning shot!

Offline mechanic

  • GBO Supporter
  • Trade Count: (32)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 5112
  • Gender: Male
Re: The Buffalo Hunters/ and Long Distance Shooting
« Reply #16 on: October 04, 2009, 04:44:14 PM »
Sourdough,

I've shot some 800 yd. targets with the 45-70, and with moderate loadings.  While I can hold "minute of dinner plate" at that distance, I would not feel comfortable trying to kill game that far.  The rifle is certainly capable of it however.  Using a ladder sight, thats about as far as I can hold in a cross legged sitting position. 

It seems like a long time from detonation to that plate of steel ringing out.  You actually have time to bring the rifle down.

If a man were to practice enough, 1000 yd.s is doable IMO.

Ben
Logged
Molon Labe, (King Leonidas of the Spartan Army)

Offline Sourdough

  • Trade Count: (1)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 8150
  • Gender: Male
Re: The Buffalo Hunters/ and Long Distance Shooting
« Reply #17 on: October 04, 2009, 09:29:31 PM »
The kill zone on an Alaskan Moose is about 12"X18".  That's a pretty big area.  I'll see how it goes.
Logged
Where is old Joe when we really need him?  Alaska Independence    Calling Illegal Immigrants "Undocumented Aliens" is like calling Drug Dealers "Unlicensed Pharmacists"
What Is A Veteran?
A 'Veteran' -- whether active duty, discharged, retired, or reserve -- is someone who, at one point in his life, wrote a blank check made payable to 'The United States of America,' for an amount of 'up to, and including his life.' That is honor, and there are way too many people in this country today who no longer understand that fact.

Offline Chas.

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Contributor
  • ***
  • Posts: 256
Re: The Buffalo Hunters/ and Long Distance Shooting
« Reply #18 on: October 05, 2009, 01:22:44 AM »
Quote from: Sourdough on October 04, 2009, 09:29:31 PM
The kill zone on an Alaskan Moose is about 12"X18".  That's a pretty big area.  I'll see how it goes.

That would probably make it a bit larger than the bucket Quigley was shooting.  ;D ;D
Logged

Offline kevinsmith5

  • Trade Count: (4)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1274
  • Gender: Male
Re: The Buffalo Hunters/ and Long Distance Shooting
« Reply #19 on: October 05, 2009, 11:53:35 AM »
Ahh....to have a Shiloh Quigley in 45-110.....perhaps when I hithe lottery?
Logged
If he's carrying a singleshot, don't expect a warning shot!
Pages: [1]   Go Up
« previous next »