Author Topic: New Buffalo Classic (Read 1111 times)

Don_K · « **on:** February 25, 2009, 07:50:35 AM »

Well, after reading everything here concerning the Buffalo Classic I finally purchased one. I have to tell you I can see why all of you that own one are so enthusiastic about them. The wood and bluing are beautiful. It seems to be put together much better than the price would indicate. It really has the look of a classic single shot rifle.
Dies, bullets and brass are on the way from Midway and I can't wait to shoot it. I'll start with trapdoor loads (to get used to the metal butt plate!!) Any one have an accurate load for me to start with? Thanks in advance. - Don

Jimbo47 · « **Reply #1 on:** February 25, 2009, 09:43:55 AM »

I pretty much did the same when reading all the responses and praise of the 45-70 just wondering why all the fuss.

I bought a used barrel, and after shooting it I found out why all the fuss!

You'll have a hard time trying to decribe it, but it's just a great round, and a fun gun to shoot.

Nuff said!

Here is a good starting point, and just remember to back off from these loads by 10% and work your way up!

http://www.reloadammo.com/4570load.htm

Buster95 · « **Reply #2 on:** February 25, 2009, 10:13:36 AM »

hey hey hey another happy customer

Badnews Bob · « **Reply #3 on:** February 25, 2009, 10:43:32 AM »

The only loads i've had trouble with outta mine was with bevel based bullets everything else shoot so close its hard to tell a diffrence.

petemi · « **Reply #4 on:** February 25, 2009, 11:06:48 AM »

While you're waiting around for your reloading goodies, try the Hornady Leverevolutions. They work great in my 22 inch barrel. The gun and I am both happy and I'll be reloading them soon.

Pete

kevinsmith5 · « **Reply #5 on:** February 25, 2009, 02:32:42 PM »

Fair warning, the LE will give you a serious intro to the crescent but plate on that rifle. I put 19 ounces of lead in my BC stock bolt hole pretty quick. You didn't say what bullets or brass you ordered. How heavy a bullet are you looking at shooting and in what profile? Who'd you order from? (Western Bullet has become my special friend, but there is also a fellow by the name of Jae Bok Young who has made me pretty happy too.)

quickdtoo · « **Reply #6 on:** February 25, 2009, 02:45:02 PM »

Kevin, if you're gonna drop names, how about leaving some links for those that are interested!!

http://westernbullet.com/

http://www.competitor-pistol.com/jb%20Hunting%20Trophies.html

And for those interested in some big bullets and their performance, there's a great video at the bottom of the Pile-Driver page ...

Tim

http://beartoothbullets.com/open_sight/archive_open_sight.htm/21

Dustyvance · « **Reply #7 on:** February 25, 2009, 03:08:01 PM »

Tim are the Beartooth 525grainers safe to shoot in the BC? My Brother-n-law realoads for the 45-70 in his Guide Gun and would load me up some also. He has 25+ years experience with that kinda thing and does a real nice job on all his reloads( I have shot his 45-70, 300Win. Mag. and all guage shotgun shells and 25-06 all of these were loaded for what I called "mild to wild) Bench shooting sessions

kevinsmith5 · « **Reply #8 on:** February 25, 2009, 03:10:16 PM »

Sorry Tim, I thought both those were in the FAQ's.

quickdtoo · « **Reply #9 on:** February 25, 2009, 04:27:18 PM »

Dusty, it just depends on the throat depth on your 45-70, most have a real short throat, but not all of em do, I throated all of mine except the 45-120 and the SS Ultra Hunter, the Ultra is the only one of my five 45-70s with a decent throat on it from the factory. As far as the 40kpsi loads, that's no problem, the 500S&W has a bigger casehead and is loaded to well over 50kpsi and is factory chambered from H&R in the Handi which uses the same SB2 frame as modern Buffalo Classics. I shoot ruger level loads in my Ultra using Barnes data to 55kpsi.

Quote

Sorry Tim, I thought both those were in the FAQ's.

That's probably news to most members here, Kevin.

Tim

Dustyvance · « **Reply #10 on:** February 25, 2009, 05:11:24 PM »

Thanks a lot Tim, I will have a smith/friend look at it for me because I know nothing when it comes to that( he and I have known each other for a long time and I trust him + he won't charge me

).

Don_K · « **Reply #11 on:** February 25, 2009, 05:24:32 PM »

kevinsmith5
I ordered Starline brass and Oregon Trail 405gr LRNFP. I was at a shop today and picked up some Precision Cast (Local Michigan caster) 300gr LRNFP and 405 LRNFP. I really want to use the 405gr bullets, but I've read here that I may have to use a shorter front sight to get them to shoot to POA. I'm also planning to get a Williams FPTK for the rear sight. (Williams is only 35 minutes from my house.)
As far as powders go, I have Varget on hand and thought I'd pick up some H4198 also. I should have the brass and dies by Friday. - Don

quickdtoo · « **Reply #12 on:** February 25, 2009, 05:32:49 PM »

Don, congrats on the new BC!! You might want to check with H&R on the FP-HR-TK sight, they used to sell it a lot cheaper than anyone else, $60. It's more now I'm sure, but seems to me it's over $80 from Williams. They sold the WGRS for $18 just last year, it's was double that anywhere else.

Tim

Don_K · « **Reply #13 on:** February 25, 2009, 05:39:47 PM »

Tim,
Your right it is over $80 from Williams. Thanks for the tip, I'll check with H&R and see what their current price is.
I also want replace the elevation locking screw with a knob that matches the target knobs. Someone on here did that and it looked good.
I just can't wait to get this thing to the range!! - Don

quickdtoo · « **Reply #14 on:** February 25, 2009, 05:50:30 PM »

The knob is called a target elevation gib lock knob, it's available from Brownell's too, part number 962-000-079, $8.50.

Tim

http://www.brownells.com/aspx/NS/store/ProductDetail.aspx?p=18423

Don_K · « **Reply #15 on:** March 06, 2009, 08:09:53 AM »

Guy's,
Finally got some 405gr hard cast (Oregon Trail) loaded using Starline brass (27gr H4198 to start) and discovered if they aren't all the way into the crimp groove they will touch the rifling. As it is they must only clear by a couple thousands when I'm at the groove. I kept seating it further in until the breech would close and ended up at the groove before it would lock up. You can clearly see rifling marks on the bullet. Is this OK or will I see pressure issues?
I've read here I may need to increase the free bore area to shoot the big fat bullets

, but by how much? I want to be able to shoot any of the 300-500gr cast and jacketed that are available. As always, thanks for any info. - Don

quickdtoo · « **Reply #16 on:** March 06, 2009, 10:21:58 AM »

As long as you work the load up using the same COL, you'll be fine, 27gr H4198 with a COL of 2.540" for a 405gr cast LFP is Hodgdon's trapdoor start load, if you're just a tad shorter than that, you'll still likely be in their trapdoor data, what is the COL you ended up at? In any event, unless it's not on an SB2 frame, going into levergun pressures isn't a problem...... if the recoil is tolerable, that is.

Tim

kitchawan kid · « **Reply #17 on:** March 06, 2009, 10:43:24 AM »

Have heard before that BB bullets are no good as far as accuracy is concerned,is this true?I have 500 I just bought.

Buster95 · « **Reply #18 on:** March 06, 2009, 10:48:20 AM »

Quote from: quickdtoo on February 25, 2009, 04:27:18 PM

Dusty, it just depends on the throat depth on your 45-70, most have a real short throat, but not all of em do, I throated all of mine except the 45-120 and the SS Ultra Hunter, the Ultra is the only one of my five 45-70s with a decent throat on it from the factory. As far as the 40kpsi loads, that's no problem, the 500S&W has a bigger casehead and is loaded to well over 50kpsi and is factory chambered from H&R in the Handi which uses the same SB2 frame as modern Buffalo Classics. I shoot ruger level loads in my Ultra using Barnes data to 55kpsi

Tim

What is considered a short throat in decimal?

Quote from: quickdtoo on February 25, 2009, 05:32:49 PM

Don, congrats on the new BC!! You might want to check with H&R on the FP-HR-TK sight, they used to sell it a lot cheaper than anyone else, $60. It's more now I'm sure, but seems to me it's over $80 from Williams. They sold the WGRS for $18 just last year, it's was double that anywhere else.

Tim

Where are the sights on H&R site I can't find them.

kitchawan kid · « **Reply #19 on:** March 06, 2009, 11:10:55 AM »

I never could find any parts at H&R site,went to williams for sight,$91.00 w/shipping,great sight lined up fine,you my find some lock-tite in screw holes to clean out.Also think about a set of Lee Shaver inserts for front sight.

quickdtoo · « **Reply #20 on:** March 06, 2009, 11:29:40 AM »

Part numbers are in the FAQs and Help sticky, most are in the Peep and Firesights link, the WGRS is listed on the retail parts price list page. The FP and FP-TK used to be in the H&R store, but it's gone, you just have to call and ask for it, the FP-TK was $60, dunno how much Remington wants for it now, but it was always less there, the $36 WGRS was $18 thru Gardner, the FP-TK is $82 at Midway now.

Tim

Don_K · « **Reply #21 on:** March 06, 2009, 05:03:18 PM »

Quick,
The 405gr COL ended up 2.524 crimped in the groove, any longer would not chamber. Anyway, I'm off to Texas on a hunting trip and won't be back until Thursday. I'll load a few and get to the range next weekend and see how it shoots. With 27gr of H4198 as a starting load I don't think there will be a problem. I was just concerned about jamming the bullet into the rifling, but after re-checking it looks like I'm a couple of thousands off the lands. - Don

quickdtoo · « **Reply #22 on:** March 06, 2009, 05:06:04 PM »

Sounds like it should work fine.

Tim