I was fortunate enough to have drawn a Buffalo tag for the National Elk Refuge here in Wyoming( Actually I think all who applied got one).I can think of no finer place to be in late October with the Tetons in the background and with my son.I do not know what sex/age I will be shooting as they will assign that when I show up for the orientation the day before the hunt.
It appears there are 900 Buffalo on the refuge and managers want to reduce the population to 500.Animals rights groups effectively shut down last years hunt but it is back on the books and will happen.
I have always wanted to shoot a Buffalo with one of my two 1874 Shiloh Sharps.
#1 rifle #1 Sporter fancy wood/bells whistles,my prized posession in 45-70-30" octogon barrel. I have shot this rifle alot, it shoots 69grs of Swiss 1.5 540gr PJ 45001 into 1 ragged hole @100 yds. and has been known to clear the ram line at the Sacto range in CA. The rifle and I, are at one with each other.
#2 rifle #1 Sporter with one Shiloh option, shotgun butt plate other wise very plain jane( for Shiloh) 32" half round half octogon in 40-70 SS. I have this rifle shooting nearly as well as rifle #1 with 410 gr Lyman Snover 65grs Swiss 1.5. I have been playing with a Steve Brooks adjustable paper patch mold and load development is in the works.Preliminary results have been promising with groups2-3" @ 100yds with full case of Swiss 1.5 and 360 gr. pure lead bullet wrapped to bore dia. and onion skin paper.
Rifle #1 does not have barrel sights rifle #2 has Shiloh's full buckhorn,Rifle #1 has MVA aperature front sight rifle #2 has the full blown fancy windage adjustable aperature front sight, I thought this necessary with the .40 cal bullet, I have never moved it off zero. I have 2 MVA Soule sights medium and long range fitted with MVA Magum eye cup.
The 40-70 SS with the barrel sights and small round aperature wil keep every thing inside 4-5" with the paper patch bullets ,half that with 410gr Snovers.
With the information here what rifle would you use,If given a choice I would like to a shoot a medium bull,dang there big.
All of my shots will be in the <150yd range