Your best Bullet and Load for the Buffalo Classic

[GrampaMike]

Since this is the most popular H&R/NEF rifle.  We as a group should come up with a list of best loads.

I have only shot cast bullets thru mine, so my contribution will be cast.

My 1st most accurate bullet is the Beartooth 525gr .459 dia WLNGC with 31.7gr of Reloder 7, velocity 1522fps.
My 2nd most accurate bullet is the Beartooth 450gr .459 dia LFNGC with 36.5gr of VihtaVuori N120, velocity 1665fps.

To put this in context, I have tried 136 combinations so far.

Mike

[GrampaMike]

This does not look like one of my better ideas...

[Tencubed]

Quite the contrary I would think.  I'm interested in what comes up here but have nothing to contribute but encouragement.  I hadn't  had my BC that long when I broke some ribs and can't handle the recoil yet.  Looking forward to what others have to say.

Mike

[quickdtoo]

Give it some time Mike, it's summer time, everyone is out playing.  My most accurate load so far is with the 350gr Hornady RN and 52.5gr H322, velocity is 2027fps.

Tim

[GrampaMike]

Thanks Mike & Tim

[BBF]

I am still playing with my Handi, so far I am only looking at powders that leave a clean looking  bore.
None of the  regular rifle powders in the velocity range I like qualify for clean.
In the cast bullet selection, 350, 405 and 500  the following powders that I have at hand burn clean. Trail Boss, Blue Dot, 2400 and SR 4759 isn't bad either. I don't have a chrony so V is unknown.
 I loaded a few jacketed types in 300,350,400 and 405 gr,    RL -7 looks good.

[stuffit]

I've shot innumerable cast bullet combinations with several different powders.  Bottom line is, properly cast bullets between the weights of 300 gr and 520, bullets sized .459" or .460", between BHN 10 and 15, all shoot well from 1200 to 1750 fps.  Gas checks are helpful but not required. 27 gr of 5744 or 40 gr Rx 7 are the magic levels for me for a variety of cast bullet weights for accuracy and reasonable .45-70 mvls.   

I kinda altered my BC by changing the stock and some other things to make the recoil more tolerable.  Shooting something that is beating you to death is the best formula I know of for not having any fun shooting.  It is avoidable, and, I think, should be.
Best Regards,
stuffit

[dpe.ahoy]

I'm with you stuffit, getting bruised and bloody isn't really my idea of fun.  For some people, I guess it is though.   Enjoy watching a good fight, but don't want to try to do it myself.   I like to think my mother raised a smarter kid than that!   Only load I've run through mine is the PMC +P factory load, wind was to strong to shoot for groups, was movin me and the table around pretty good.  I would like to thank Limbsaver for their product, they really do work.   DP.

[dpe.ahoy]

PS.  GrampaMike, Thanks, to you.  I'll be watching this thread for some good loads to try.  Ya done good!

[stimpylu32]

For someone looking for a light recoiling load , a 405 cast bullet over 14 grains of Unique does very well in both the 22" and 36" 45/70 barrels .

These loads run around 1140 FPS in the 22" and around 1190 FPS in the 36" ( +/- 5 fps ) both will group at 1" or better @ 100 yards for 3 shots if I do my part . 

stimpy

[GrampaMike]

Bullet                     Weight      Powder                           Velocity                                Recoil
                  
Beartooth WLNGC   525          Reloder 7                31.7    1522           GrampaMike          36
Beartooth LFNGC    450          VihtaVuori N120       36.5    1665           GrampaMike          34
Hornady RN            350          H322                      52.5    2027           quickdtoo            36
Cast                      405          Unique                    14.0    1190           stimpylu32           12
                  
Cast                      350         TrailBoss                                              45-70 Govt.   
Cast                      405         TrailBoss                                              45-70 Govt.   
Cast                      500         TrailBoss                                              45-70 Govt.   
Cast                      350         BlueDot                                               45-70 Govt.   
Cast                      405         BlueDot                                               45-70 Govt.   
Cast                      500         BlueDot                                               45-70 Govt.   
Cast                      350         2400                                                   45-70 Govt.   
Cast                      405         2400                                                   45-70 Govt.   
Cast                      500         2400                                                   45-70 Govt.   
Jacketed               300          Reloder 7                                            45-70 Govt.   
Jacketed               350          Reloder 7                                            45-70 Govt.   
Jacketed               400          Reloder 7                                            45-70 Govt.   
Jacketed               405          Reloder 7                                            45-70 Govt.   
Cast BHN 10-15      300-520   Accurate 5744       27.0   1200-1750      stuffit   
Cast BHN 10-15      300-520   Reloder 7              40.0   1200-1750      stuffit