Thoughts on H&R Buffalo Classic

[thx997303]

I am looking at at possibly buying a H&R Buffalo Classic in 45-70, and was wondering what kind of experience others have had with them.

If it's anything like my single shot 12 guage from them, it should be a nice rifle.

Thoughts?

[DennisB]

I've had mine for about a year now and will never part with it! Just got a 535gr Postell mold going and can't wait to see what it does with those.

[redneckdan]

I have one, I like it. Kicks the living snot out of me with hot loads but is very accurate.

[DLCTEX]

Kicks like a mule and that curved butt plate is wicked. It could use a longer throat also. This is from experience with a friend's rifle.

[thx997303]

the curved butts never bothered me, I have small shoulders.

Long as it's accurate and wont break on me.

[Kenny Wasserburger]

Recoil is on the UGLY Side using full house BP loads.

It's not legal in any NRA event, Might be ok in CAS stuff or the gun shoots, But I have never seen anyone ever place or do well with one of them even at Gong Shoots.

KW
The lunger

[SharpsShooter]

I am looking at at possibly buying a H&R Buffalo Classic in 45-70, and was wondering what kind of experience others have had with them.

If it's anything like my single shot 12 guage from them, it should be a nice rifle.

Thoughts?

First off, they are very accurate rifles with a wide variety of bullet weights and types. They are both black powder and paper patch friendly as well.

If you buy one, remove the buttplate to reveal the through bolt hole and fill it with tightly packed #8 shot. This adds to weight to reduce recoil and improves balance too. The sights are "ok" for hunting and plinking those gongs Kenny mentions. But if you want to reach out a bit, plan on sight replacement. Tang types can be installed as well as period correct scopes.



SS

[725]

SharpsShooter,
Just exactly which tang sight is that one in the photo? Have had discussion with other members about tang sights and probably can't afford one, but that looks like a dandy.
725

thx997303,
By the way, they are great rifles. From mild to wild, they do alot. From shooting round balls (.457 RB pushed into a case with small amouts of Unique powder - like 8 or 9 grains of Unique) to 535 Postnells. I love mine. It can do everything from squirrels to bison to target competition. Just depends on what youu feed it.

[nicholst55]

Definitely plan on lengthening the throat a bit if you want to shoot heavyweight bullets. I thoroughly enjoy mine.

I also installed a tang rear sight on mine, although I went about it just a bit differently. I inlaid two (female) threaded brass posts into the stock, and attached the sight to them, with the sight base inletted flush with the wood. Looks good, works well. Track of the Wolf carries many different tang sights; prices range from downright reasonable to quite spendy:

http://www.trackofthewolf.com/(S(3lx...67&styleID=770

[cajun shooter]

They are a fun gun that will give you many fun times. They are as Kenny W noted not legal in certain matches. If you use it for what it was intended you will be pleased. The negative side is the weight of the rifle, which at 8 lbs is not good for cases full of BP and heavy bullets. You can have a leather shop make you a butt pad that ties on and put a shock absorbing material inside. This will increase the LOP. Fill the stock with shot or a Mercury cylinder. The first thing you should do is make sure the forearm is not touching. Place a plastic washer on the bolt to take of this. Last is that the gun can be used for hunting with bullets in the 3-400 range. I also mounted the Marble's tang sight on mine using the brass threaded inserts on the tang.

[thx997303]

Ok, so add shot to the stock, sights are ok, lengthen the throat if I want to shoot 500 gr. Not legal in some competitions.

Sounds good, I intend to hunt with it anyway.

[Junior1942]

Ok, so add shot to the stock, sights are ok, lengthen the throat if I want to shoot 500 gr. Not legal in some competitions.

Sounds good, I intend to hunt with it anyway.

I found the 32" barrel un-Handi for deer hunting in the thickets. The 22" barrel works well in thickets.

Both my 32" & 22" 45-70 barrels much prefer the Lee 450 FP in pure lead over Pyrodex RS and a felt wad. If you have some WC860 you can load it exactly like black powder or Pyrodex except you'll need a heavy crimp for complete powder consumption.

[Dframe]

Good information. Thanks Junior. I may have to try that in my old shikari

[NickSS]

I have several handi rifles but not a buffalo classic. I do have a 38-55 one that shoots just fine and it is similar to the BC. I also have a 22 inch barrel on one in 45-70. This is my hunting rifle as long barrels are hard to lug around in heavy timber. I have shot several BC in 45-70 and they all shot very well. Except for being too light weight for target shooting they are great rifles. By all means fill the butt hole with lead shot. It will improve balance and add weight for those heavy loads.

[SharpsShooter]

SharpsShooter,
Just exactly which tang sight is that one in the photo? Have had discussion with other members about tang sights and probably can't afford one, but that looks like a dandy.
725

IIRC that is a C.S.A. (C Sharps Arms) vernier.

SS

[thx997303]

I feel stupid asking, but I am unfamiliar with the cartridge.

The 45-70 is always loaded with blackpowder right?

[wills]

I feel stupid asking, but I am unfamiliar with the cartridge.

The 45-70 is always loaded with blackpowder right?

No. It is commonly available, loaded with smokeless, to black powder pressures and ballistics, so it is safe to fire in older riles,

[725]

thx997303,
There are many loadings besides black powder in the .45-70. The Buff Classic is capable of many of them. A good reload manual will give you a wide variety to try, smokeless and black powder work well in it.

[azrednek]

With my ageing eyesight with the Buffalo Classic's long barrel I can get the sights in focus. I don't own one or have I shot one. I got a good look at one at the recent NRA Convention and I've been looking to do some horse trading for one since then. I hope to have one some time this year.

[jack19512]

I had a buffalo Classic but sold it. I liked it OK and it shot reasonably well but sold it and bought a Marlin 1895 CB and have never regretted it. For whatever reason the Marlin shoots more accurately than the BC and for me the single shot was a pain.