New owner of a new to me H&R Buffalo Classic

[mwk1975]

So I've been fighting the 45/70 bug for a while now, when lo an behold yesterday I see and offer to trade a H&R Buffalo Classic for a Ruger 10/22. I'm happy to say that it went down, and that both of us seem happier for the trade. WOO HOO, can't wait to shoot it!

[nhrifle]

Load it up with black powder like they used to, the experience can't be beat!

[school of mines]

I really enjoy mine! I use 5744 powder with either 457125 or 457132 boolits at trapdoor levels. I did put lead shot in the butt stock hole to add a little weight to reduce the recoil! I am sure you will enjoy yours as well.

[mwk1975]

Thanks for the ideas/info, as I say, can't wait to get out there and burn some powder.

[tacklebury]

Reloader 7 is a great .45-70 powder. I use it from 34 gr. with 350 gr. RNFP for trap door level loads to 52 gr. for real barn burners. Lot of flexibility. my go to is 48 gr. with the 350 as it kicks a bit less. ;)

[mwk1975]

Thanks for the info Tacklebury. I'll see if I can pick up some reloader 7 and give it a shot.

[DukeInFlorida]

Don't forget that the H&R single shot rifles have the ability to INTERCHANGE barrels easily.
I also started with a 45-70 barrel for mine, but quickly started adding additional barrels to my case.
I currently have the following, all factory fitted:
45-70
45 Long Colt , which I reamed out to 454 Casull length. easy to do, and shoots great
500 S&W Magnum (I have the handgun, and wanted to also have a long gun that hoots same caliber)
270 Win

When I am able to, I am also looking to add: 410 shotgun barrel, .223 Rem bull barrel, .17 hmr, 22 mag, and perhaps a few others.......

greaybeards outdoors has a H&R section, and there's always guys there, selling barrels. http://www.go2gbo.com/forums/index.php/board,142.0.html
You can also order the barrels directly from H&R: http://www.hr1871.com/support/accessoryprogram.asp
They are much cheaper than buying the whole gun.
NOTE: The barrels need fitting, and I strongly recommend that you have the factory do the fitting, even on a used barrel. Inexpensive, and fast turnaround.

[TCLouis]

45-70

Loaded mild to wild the gun will handle it with aplomb.

The shooter, well, maybe not so much so.

350 grain RD boolit, 10.5 grains of Unique (1100 fps).

350 grain RD boolit 18.2-19.2 grains of 10B101.

So many great powder choices with it depending on what you are doing with it and how much recoil you want to absorb!

[Texantothecore]

You are going to have a blast with that BC. I spent the yesterday afternoon with mine shooting .457 round ball with 70 grains BP. Most fun I have had at the range in years.

That trade you made was awesome.

[Jim]

Just thought I'd mention one thing about the H&R BC. I bought one last summer and had problems with it opening on firing. After asking around, I found out this is a typical problem. If there's even just a trace of oil on the locking lug or latch, the latch kicks back on recoil causing the action to open. Keep the latch and lug bone dry.

[Texantothecore]

Don't forget that the H&R single shot rifles have the ability to INTERCHANGE barrels easily.
I also started with a 45-70 barrel for mine, but quickly started adding additional barrels to my case.
I currently have the following, all factory fitted:
45-70
45 Long Colt , which I reamed out to 454 Casull length. easy to do, and shoots great
500 S&W Magnum (I have the handgun, and wanted to also have a long gun that hoots same caliber)
270 Win

When I am able to, I am also looking to add: 410 shotgun barrel, .223 Rem bull barrel, .17 hmr, 22 mag, and perhaps a few others.......

greaybeards outdoors has a H&R section, and there's always guys there, selling barrels. http://www.go2gbo.com/forums/index.php/board,142.0.html
You can also order the barrels directly from H&R: http://www.hr1871.com/support/accessoryprogram.asp
They are much cheaper than buying the whole gun.
NOTE: The barrels need fitting, and I strongly recommend that you have the factory do the fitting, even on a used barrel. Inexpensive, and fast turnaround.

I wish you hadn't mentioned that. Its going to cost me some dough.

[mongoosesnipe]

I have a few hr guns 450 marlin, 243, 20 gauge shot, 12 gauge ultra slug thumb hole, I did have a problem with the ultra slug popping open with stout loads I marked the lug with a sharpie and and opened and closed the action until I could see the whiteness and the latch was only engaging only about 10% of the lug so I stoned of maybe .001 of the laugh an it got full latch engagement and haven't had a problem with it opening since

[jason f]

I had fun with the Bc for a while. Then I stepped it up a notch and reamed it to a 45-120. Now it shoots 300 grain hornady Hp at 2800 fps.

[tomf52]

jIM SAID - "Just thought I'd mention one thing about the H&R BC. I bought one last summer and had problems with it opening on firing. After asking around, I found out this is a typical problem. If there's even just a trace of oil on the locking lug or latch, the latch kicks back on recoil causing the action to open. Keep the latch and lug bone dry".

First question:Was that a factory fit barrel? If so send it and the gun back and get it fit correctly. Oil isn't the whole problem, misfit of the latch to the barrel shelf latch is. IIRC, you need a minimum of .040 engagement. Test it with some carbon black.

[oldrodder]

I had fun with the Bc for a while. Then I stepped it up a notch and reamed it to a 45-120. Now it shoots 300 grain hornady Hp at 2800 fps.

Can I ask what you used for a load??
Thanks,
Mike

[jason f]

85 grains of 3031 with bullet touching rifling. 45 basic brass lrm primers

[rush1886]

85 grains of 3031 with bullet touching rifling. 45 basic brass lrm primers

??????? would that be 35 grains of 3031??????

[jason f]

No 85 grains is correct. A friend of mine has loaded up to 95 grains of i4350 in his 45-120. Another guy over on graybeard shoots his with 85 grains of I think i4320 and a 405 Remington. He has it posted on ammoguide in the 45-120 nitro express list. I am gonna check and see.

[jason f]

350 Speer IMR-3031 71.0 2207 3787 26.0 View jeffeosso 350 Speer IMR-3031 77.0 2387 4430 26.0 View jeffeosso 350 Hornady IMR-3031 80.0M 2634 5394 32.0 View pandero 400 378 grain L… IMR-3031 71.0 2185 4242 32.0 View pandero 405 Remington Alliant/Herc Reloder-25 99.0 1785 2866 24.0 View jeffeosso 405 Remington Hodgdon H-335 74.5 2114 4020 22.0 View jeffeosso 405 Remington IMR-4320 75.0 2350 4968 32.0 View tykempster 405 Remington IMR-4320 81.0 2385 5117 26.0 View jeffeosso 405 Remington IMR-4320 83.0 2393 5152 26.0 View jeffeosso 405 Remington IMR-4320 80.0 2450 5400 32.0 View tykempster 405 Remington IMR-4320 85.0 2550 5850 32.0 View tykempster 485 Home Cast IMR-4831 90.0 2250 5454 32.0 View tykempster 500 Hornady IMR-4831 88.0 2037 4609 26.0 View jeffeosso 500 Hornady Alliant/Herc Reloder-22 96.5 2100 4898 24.0 View jeffeosso 500 Hornady IMR-4831 90.0 2121 4997 26.0 View jeffeosso 535 lyman poste… Hodgdon H-4895 61.0 1818 3928 32.0 View pandero 720 Ranger Rick IMR-4320 60.0 1750 4898 32.0 View tykempster

Here is some listed loads from ammoguide

[Gtek]

I did twenty through one of my BC's. 52gr. of 3031 with a 300 Hornady- Put in truck. I shoot a lot of big boys and this combo was not good in jacket and sitting straight. That is one of my levers loads and I could shoot all day. That crescent steel is an animal. I love a thump, but that was a wee bit much. Gtek