Oh Gawd, what have I done now?

[Jim Flinchbaugh]

I stopped at Cabelas becasue the primer fairy was there recently.
Managed to find a brick of CCI200, which I use a lot of. Nice.
Then, I made the mistake of perusing the used gun rack. I left a
decent down payment on lay-a-way. Next pay day, a very nice
Buffalo Classic in 45-70 will be following me home
:bigsmyl2: 370 bucks seems like a decent price
I've been drooling for a looong time for one of these.
Lyman globe/disc front sight an Williams rear peep.
Beautiful wood, nice bore no marks any where. :D
Now the hunt for brass and molds begins.
Any recommendations on a mold? The only things I have in 45 cal
is 200rn lee and a 250 grain SWC LBT mold, both for pistols.

the other rifle they had that really tempted me was a very nice
old Remington roller, octogon barrel in 32-20 for 399.
I went for the big bore though, I have a problem with big bores
is there a shooters version of AA? :lol:

[Doc_Stihl]

The Lee 405 HB is a fantastic mold. The lee 500 Postell shoots well in my NEF. The lee 405 is a good all around mold. That's a cheap easy way to get started.
I have 12+ 458 molds and those 3 get used alot. The 405's more than anything.

[725]

Look around and try and get a copy of Paul Mathews' "40 years with the .45-70". Fun book with lots of info about the cartridge. I use a 420 gr (actually with my alloy it's usually around 415 grains) 460420. Stunning. Loaded to top trap door levels, it's a never fail. (If I do my part :-) )

[hickstick_10]

Lymans 500 grain government roundnose will probably give you what your looking for the quickest.

It will stomp you some, but it gives alot back in return.

[singleshot]

Jim, you can paper patch up those .451 boolits for some screamin' fun out of your "Big Gov." Nobade has done it and the smile left creases on his cheeks. Hopefully he'll pipe in soon.

[bikerbeans]

I had a 45-70 BC and I only made a couple of range trips with the factory stock set. The curved steel buttplate is noted for making a bloody mess out of your shoulder. I would look for a slip on recoil pad or better yet a leather lace on pad to save your shoulder.

I shot the Lee 405HBs out of this gun over a light charge of Unique (12g) and it was as accurate I as can shoot with the peep sights.

BB

[PuppetZ]

Mine love the lee 450 grain over 70 gn of FFg. Will make one big ragged hole out of 5 shot at 50 yds.

[Reverend Al]

... if it was me I'd go back and buy the .32-20 RB as well ...
:kidding:

[wgr]

Jim, you can paper patch up those .451 boolits for some screamin' fun out of your "Big Gov." Nobade has done it and the smile left creases on his cheeks. Hopefully he'll pipe in soon.

yes you can pp them and have a ball. i use a 300grain lbt swc

[Jim Flinchbaugh]

... if it was me I'd go back and buy the .32-20 RB as well ...
:kidding:

I wish I had the funds for both. I don't. Reality sucks. I did turn a friend of mine on to it tho
and he is all hot and bothered. He's 80 something, I called dibs if he buys it :D

[Lonegun1894]

Here is another vote for the Lee 450gr FN. Mine casts at .461", and leading disappeared and accuracy improved from g very good to excellent when I quit sizing them.

[Nobade]

Jim, you can paper patch up those .451 boolits for some screamin' fun out of your "Big Gov." Nobade has done it and the smile left creases on his cheeks. Hopefully he'll pipe in soon.

Haha - yep, paper patching pistol bullets in a 45-70 lets you either make it a nice plinker or turn it into something with 444 ballistics if you prefer. Fast and flat, but probably won't hit to the sights with real light boolits. Still, a 45 ACP hollow point boolit at 2400 fps does interesting things to what it hits.

-Nobade

[Yellowhouse]

A #1 RB sporter in virtually any caliber is worth way more than the asking!!!!!

[kootne]

If it's the one that was in Kalispell Cabellas a couple weeks ago, it does have a fair amount of finish but it was not a #1. The one I saw was a #4 and I think it was a takedown , caliber was 32 sumthin', thought it was a RF but don't remember exactly. doesn't mean they couldn't have got another one in since.
kootne

[Jim Flinchbaugh]

WE have a gun show this weekend, brass and loading die shopping commencing tomorrow at 11 AM :)

[bikerbeans]

If you really want to step on the accelerator with a 45-70 try using Harvestor or MMP 45/40 sabots and 180 to 200g 40S&W boolits. I was able to get on the big side of 3,000 fps with this combo and 32" barrel. Almost forget, the gun was a 45-70 that I reamed to 45-120, but I think you could get a light saboted bullet to 3K fps in a 45-70. Getting it to shoot accurately would be the hard part.


BB

[waksupi]

WE have a gun show this weekend, brass and loading die shopping commencing tomorrow at 11 AM :)

Gun show this weekend? No body ever tells me these things!

[tacklebury]

You'll love it. I know I do mine. 8)

93161

[Jim Flinchbaugh]

Gun show was a bust, everything 20% over retail :(

Taklebury, I've seen that pic before, here and Graybeard, I am excited.

I have borrowed a copy of Mathews 40 years w/ the 45-70, friend owns a used book store, its like a library for me :)
'nother friend has a 500 grain mold I can borrow, and dies. All I need is brass

[Jim Flinchbaugh]

BTW, for you Buffalo Classic owners, what alloy has proven best for you,
and what size did your barrel slug out to?
Shallow rifling, I assume something medium hard, around #2?

[Lonegun1894]

My BCs bore is .456" groove diameter, I don't remember the bore diameter, but I use almost exclusively range scrap, which while harder than pure lead, is just barely harder and I can still scratch it with a fingernail. My Lee 450gr FNPB casts at .461", and I lube with LLA and drive them about 1350-1400fps, which is enough for anything I need with this gun, but have driven them to a bit over 2K fps (won't give the load but the powder was 3031, and no pressure signs whatsoever) and no leading, so I wouldn't eliminate the "soft" alloys without giving them a chance first.

[rexherring]

Just loaded some of the Lee 405HB with 25 grs of 5744. My alloy is 50/50 WW Pb sized .459.

[Jim Flinchbaugh]

My BCs bore is .456" groove diameter, I don't remember the bore diameter, but I use almost exclusively range scrap, .
I shoulda ask for groove dia, which you gave me, my bad on the terminology.
I got ~2500 pounds of range scrap (~8bhn) this makes me happy :D

[Lonegun1894]

You have no idea how happy it made me too! I have quite a bit of WW, and a couple other alloys, but I have far more range scrap than anything else, so tend to use it where I can, while saving the harder alloys for where they are truly needed. For example, I use more .357 Mag and .45 (both ACP and Colt) than anything else, and a lot of the .357 and .45 Colt goes through rifles, and the soft range scrap is no handicap at all, and my levergun loads for these guns tend to vary between 1400-1850fps, and I get no leading at all. Just make sure the bullet fits the throat, as it will swage down to fit the bore when you give it that swift kick in the rear, and also that your lube is good, and I bet you will be fine. My BC shoots great, but just doesn't get used as much anymore as it should since I started hunting hogs with a .22LR or a .54 flintlock, but I need to remedy that, and soon.

[Jim Flinchbaugh]

BTW< my range lead water dropped jumps right up to 15 bhn, no fuss no muss :)

I got the Lee 405 hollow base mold coming as well as a set of dies. Brass is proving to be a challenge.
I found some local (private feller) but it is nickel plated.
I got lots of 5744, SR4759, Unique, 2400 & Varget, loads shown for them all

BOOM! :bigsmyl2:

[kootne]

Jim, I will be in Kalispell tues afternoon and wednesday this next week, my wife is having a medical proceedure at the surgical center. I've got exactly 9 once fired .45/70 Remington cases I'll donate to your project if you're interested. Not a big score but say the word and they're yours.
kootne

[nicholst55]

Be aware that the Buffalo CLassic is a relatively light rifle for the .45-70. The action will accommodate loads for the Ruger #1 and Siamese Mauser; your shoulder, not so much. Also, H&R installed front sights that are too tall on a bunch of these rifles, simply because they had them on hand. If you have trouble zeroing your rifle, that's probably why. They also have very short throats, and are best suited to bullets lighter than 500 grains, unless you ream the throat a bit longer. The 1:20" twist barrel makes using extremely heavy-for-caliber bullets problematic, as well.

[Jim Flinchbaugh]

They also have very short throats, and are best suited to bullets lighter than 500 grains, unless you ream the throat a bit longer. The 1:20" twist barrel makes using extremely heavy-for-caliber bullets problematic, as well.

Hmmm, I've jsut the opposite with the throats being very generous

kootne, PM sent

[tacklebury]

My throat wouldn't take over a 350gr bullet as delivered. I rented the gbo throating reamer and took her out about 1/4". In other calibers like .357 and 44, the throats do tend to be longer. I throated my 22" and the BC at the same time.

[helice]

Jim,
I recommend you contact Mike Whyte (Springfield) for a leather butt cuff. You'll value the workmanship and enjoy the rifle more once it stops hurting you.
They are pretty guns tho, aren't they.

[Jim Flinchbaugh]

Met up with Mr Kootne last evening.
Not only did he donate some brass, he brought a sample baggie of boolits to try as well
The folks on this forum are unbelievable.
Thank you sir :)

[Jim Flinchbaugh]

Yippie! I found new brass!!!!!
Of all places, Amazon.com has new Remington nickel plated for $55/50.
I ordered 1 bag, cause I really wanted brass brass.
They say they have 12 bags left if anyone wants some

there was 15 last night when I found it

[Jim Flinchbaugh]

Hmm, I was back in Cabelas today, the little rolling block I mentioned in the OP
has magically jumped from 399 to $499. the thing is appreciating sittin' in the rack at the store!
dirtbags

[Springfield]

Can be made with padding inside. Bullet loops optional. 45.00 for basic cover. www.whyteleatherworks.com

93995

[Jim Flinchbaugh]

Can be made with padding inside. Bullet loops optional. 45.00 for basic cover. www.whyteleatherworks.com

93995

PM Sent Mark

[badgeredd]

Yippie! I found new brass!!!!!
Of all places, Amazon.com has new Remington nickel plated for $55/50.
I ordered 1 bag, cause I really wanted brass brass.
They say they have 12 bags left if anyone wants some

there was 15 last night when I found it

I picked up a H&R Trapdoor last year and decided that since I have a 1895 Marlin in 45-70 it would be prudent to load nickled cases for the trapdoor to preclude shooting HOT 45-70 loads in the trapdoor.


Hmm, I was back in Cabelas today, the little rolling block I mentioned in the OP
has magically jumped from 399 to $499. the thing is appreciating sittin' in the rack at the store!
dirtbags

If one had the money to buy it, it would be FUN to confront the sleeze-bags with the original price cash in hand. I'm afraid "dirtbags" is being far too generous to them. [smilie=1:

Edd

[biggc1]

I want one of those for my buffalo classic!
Can be made with padding inside. Bullet loops optional. 45.00 for basic cover. www.whyteleatherworks.com

93995

[tacklebury]

I definitely book marked that! ;)

[NVScouter]

I cut my butt flush and put on a small front to fit. That 1/2 moon brass plate looks like junk and was nasty. If your down in Cody you can have all the LEE 450s you can cast

[Jim Flinchbaugh]

Mold is here and I cast a pile with it :)
My new Remington brass showed up yesterday, only it said Starline on the keester end.
I need to count them now to make sure of the quantity.
10 more days & I can bring the Buff home :mrgreen: