Best scope for a Buffalo Classic?

[wellfedirishman]

Hi All,

Quick question here. I have the opportunity to get a used Buffalo Classic (without sights). Its the older model before they included sights with the gun.

What do you all recommend as a scope for it, for use to 300 and maybe 500 yards? I already have my iron sight Trapdoor, so I would like to try a scope on this.

I don't want to stick a big ignorant modern hunting scope on it, I'd like something that looks a bit more vintage. The Malcolm scopes are cool, but cost more than the gun, the cheapest I see is about $300.

Does anyone know of a cheaper but authentic looking scope for this gun? Thanks!

If there is nothing vintage-looking in the price range (sub $100) I am considering, I was thinking about putting a older US Weaver 4x steel tube on it.

[Hurricane]

A fixed power Weaver, in your choice of power, is always a good choice.

[Dframe]

Thats what I would do. A 4X Weaver fixed power.

[wiljen]

within your $100 price range, I'd stick with the weaver.

[Kenny Wasserburger]

Good luck getting enough Elevation for 500 yards with the Weaver.

KW

[Dframe]

I don't know what irishmen's planned uses are but I know VERY few people who shoot a 45/70 (or much of anything else) at 500 yards.
I doubt I could see the target at that range even through a scope.

[IcerUSA]

For an athentic looking scope for the late 1800's the Wm. Malcolm is the cheapest out there . Does your barrel have a dovetail for a front site ? If not you may be limited to the short scope .
Check Natchez for a good price on the scopes also , check the web to see if someone has them on sale also .

Keith

[Kenny Wasserburger]

Dframe,

No offenese you need to get out more we shoot to 500 meters with our 45-70 all the time, and to 1 Mile with the 45-110. Irons and Scope both. On Silhouettes at 500 meters the ram is not but 32 inches wide and some 13 inches deep. Touch over 2 MOA in depth and 5 MOA or so wide.

KW
The Lunger

PS and we do it with Black Powder and 500+ grain Bullets.

[wellfedirishman]

Thanks Guys for the valuable suggestions.

My local range has gongs as 100, 200, 300 yards. I can usually hit the 300 with iron sights pretty well with a regular milsurp rifle.

Another range I shoot at has silhouettes from 200 to 500 yards.

That's why I am interested at shooting these distances. I am hoping that with a scope on top of a BC would allow me to hit out to 500.

I don't plan on hunting with this at anything over 100 yards, in case anyone was thinking I was planning on shooting ground squirrels at a quarter mile with a 45-70 ;-)

Thanks for all the info, this a great site.

[pietro]

If you can swing the $$$, I'd go for the short Malcolm - If it doesn't work out or you ever decide to sell the rifle, I would think you'd get most, if not all your $$$ back by selling the scope separately (since it'll work on so many other rifles, like a 1903 Sniper)

.

[water bug]

Can anyone gve the exact specs for the scope mount for this H&R? I have one I would like to put a scope on and use the holes from the iron sight on the breech. How do I sepecify the hole distances ? Any mount model numbers? for a 1" dia 4X32 fixed scope. Thanks, Art

[pietro]

water bug - You just might get wider reading/consideration of your question, and maybe even an answer, if you started your own thread about it, ILO hi-jacking this one.

.

[water bug]

Pietro, Thanks for the advice. Not trying to hi jack, Just my inexperience. Sorry for any mistake here. Art

[pietro]

N.P. - I'm glad to see you got both an answer, and an offer of a correct base, the same day you posted your question separately.

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?t=64100

.

[dk17hmr]

EGW offers scope base for the Handi rifle with a 20 MOA cant to it. That would give you enough elevation to hit 500 yards without topping you scope out. I dont know if you would be able to zero at 100 though, it might be a few inches or a foot high.

http://egw-guns.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=39_128&products_id=290

I use thier scope mounts on my long range rifle, I have a 15 and a 25 moa mount. The different MOA's allow me to have my turrets set almost as low as they will go so there is only up adjustment on the scope.

[Idaho Sharpshooter]

DFrame,

you should get out more. There are a couple thousand of us shooting Sharps, Winchesters, Stevens, Ballards, etc out to and past 1000 yards. Scoped and Vernier Tang sights.
Then there's the Billy Dixon 1571yd shoot and "Lunger's" mile shoot, and several more I have forgotten.

Rich
Sharps Shooter

[texasmac]

wellfedirishman,

If you change your mind and start leaning towards a Leatherwood WM Malcolm style, you might want to first read the article at the link below. Also, keep in mind, with externally adjustable scopes, a shorter scope increases the elevation & windage adjustment range.

http://www.texas-mac.com/Searching_for_a_Cost_Effective_BPCR_Scope_Solution .html

Wayne

[wellfedirishman]

Thanks Wayne for the info, much appreciated.

I bought a BC last week and am waiting to get it out of CA mandated 10 day hold (stupid).

I think I will get a scope base for my weaver and see how it goes.

[SharpsShooter]

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r255/SharpsShooter_photos/BCLeathjerwood.jpg

SS

[BPCR Bill]

Dframe,

No offenese you need to get out more we shoot to 500 meters with our 45-70 all the time, and to 1 Mile with the 45-110. Irons and Scope both. On Silhouettes at 500 meters the ram is not but 32 inches wide and some 13 inches deep. Touch over 2 MOA in depth and 5 MOA or so wide.

KW
The Lunger

PS and we do it with Black Powder and 500+ grain Bullets.

I would add to Kennys post that we also shoot silhouette chickens at 200 meters, offhand, scope and irons, 45-70, 40-65, 40-70SS, 45-90.

Regards,
Bill