Buffalo Classic

[brianscott12]

Hello I'm new here and hope this is the right board to post this in. I just recently purchased an 1872 buffalo classic in 45/70 nib and so far i'm lovin it. Just wonderin how many here have one and if so how do you like it? Has any one customized it and how do you like the sights it comes with? I've heard some people say that they can't get it adjusted to 200 yds. How do I know if mine are the same way? ( Haven't tried it at 200 yds yet.) What is the bullet drop compared to a Marlin guide gun? Thanks

[quickdtoo]

Welcome aboard Brian! Spend some time in the FAQs and Help sticky, there's a link on Long Range sights that has lots of links to other related threads that will answer a lot of your questions, the front sight issue is specifically addressed, most come with the .584" or .494" 17A front sight, the .494" is Ok, but the .584" is unacceptable for use with the WGRS sight, will work with the FP or FP-TK sight, the .404" is very desirable for anything over 200yd shooting, I have the FP-TK rear sight w/.404" front on my 45-120 BC, with the rear sight at the bottom, it hits 1½" high at 100yds shooting 405gr bullets at 1600fps, it doesn't take many clicks up to hit dead on at 200yds shooting 525gr bullets at 1700fps.

For velocity comparisons, depending on the powder, you can get 150-200fps out of the 32" barrel over a 22" barrel with 350gr bullets, my tests have been limited to H322 (2027fps vs 1850fps) and IMR4198(2082fps vs 1932fps) with the 350gr Hornady RN and 350gr Speer. I've compared the 300gr Nosler at 2425fps in the 22" barrel using H4198, same load in the 32" barrel gets 2450fps, so powder/bullet combos do make a difference.

Tim

[brianscott12]

Thanks Tim, bigjeepman said you know your stuff. I'll do some reading.

[kitchawan kid]

I did replace the rear sight with a williams FP-H&R-TK to get better adjustments,also a lace-up recoil pad from Cabele's (med) to take a little from the hot loads.Very happy with it so far.

[Westbound]

The Kitchawan Kid does bring up a good point.  A recoil pad is almost a must if you shoot anything more than factory loads.
When you get into warmer loads that steel buttplate becomes an intrument of torture.
I went with the lace on from Cabela's as well, it just keeps up with the classic looks of the gun.

[kevinsmith5]

I also have a lace-on, but I also made a wooden block shaped to the curve of the butt plate to put inside the recoil pad. This, plus 19 ounces of lead in the stock, has made recoil even with very heavy loads comfortable.  I also stripped the stock and re-did it in a Danish oil (this looks more antique to me).  I'm considering either or metal triggerguard or cutting the plastic guard off flush to the frame and mounting a Kentucky rifle triggerguard (saw it in a magzine and it looked COOOOLLLL).

[Westbound]

Kevin, if you go foward with the Kentucky rifle triggerguard be sure to let us know how it works.  That sounds really cool!