New Buffalo Classic and questions

[DanM]

I was lucky enough to fine a local seller on Gun Broker and do a FTF deal for a nice new H&R Buffalo Classic last week. This rifle has been on my wish list for a long time, and I just could not pass up a new one at this price ($290), and a local sale to boot! It does look new, and the wood and colors are even nicer in person. Here are some pictures from the auction:

http://pics.gunbroker.com/GB/192427000/192427716/pix245876941.jpg

http://pics.gunbroker.com/GB/192427000/192427716/pix309565910.jpg

http://pics.gunbroker.com/GB/192427000/192427716/pix435599988.jpg

I have done some research, and think I will start with the lee 405gr FNPB. I have
R7 and 3031, but I am still gathering the tools needed.. I should be able to get the cases at a show in a couple of weeks. I wasn't blessed with the good trigger that many of these rifles come with. Mine breaks at 5lbs. Not a bad pull, but I think it can be improved. I am pretty good at this trigger stuff, but before I start tapping out the pins I thought I would ask if anyone has done this already. The pins look a little wierd, like they are serrated or splined. Maybe I am seeing things, but they sure look like they have little 'teeth' at the ends. Also, I am wondering if the barrel comes off like a Contender, or is there more to it?
Haven't slugged the bore yet, but I assume I will have to hone out the Lee .457" sizer, or buy one from Buckshot. Any suggestions or experiences will be appreciated....

[BCall]

The barrel comes off like a shotgun, when you remove the forearm, just open the action and it will come off. Don't try to remove the hinge pin!

The trigger pins are splined on one side. This webiste has a good tutorial on a trigger job for the H&R/NEF frames. The pins only come out one way.
http://perkloafm.com/

Look in the H&R section. It is a very good tutorial with pictures that explains everything. HTH, Billy

[Shooter]

Add a ziplock bag with a pound of shot in it to the hole under the butt plate where the stock bolt goes. It will improve the balance and help with recoil.

[John Boy]

Any suggestions or experiences will be appreciated....
Dan, you may want to read the FAQ's on Graybeard's HR/NEF group ...
http://www.go2gbo.com/forums/index.php/topic,26264.0.html
This forum group is only for NEF and HR rifles

[DanM]

Thanks guys, I have been to the GBO forum and found a lot of info. One thing is see is that the pins come out right to left only. Looks like a lot of fun ahead!

[RayinNH]

Dan, try the .457 boolits first. That's what mine uses and shoots them superbly...Ray

[bob208]

any one remember the forunner of the the clasic? it cam out in the 70's it was a shakari. i had one in .45-70. it looked almost like the classsic. but had sights and a wiping rod under the barrel.

well that thing would shoot. and it would shoot any thing factory, smokless with cast and bp with all weight bullets. mine had a 30" barrel. widh i still had it.

[Freightman]

When I had mine it would shoot just about anything, the 450/500gr were great if you do not get carried away with the load.

[nicholst55]

Let us know if your front sight is too tall to zero the rifle properly; most are. NEF only stocks one height of the Lyman 17A, and it was intended for the .38-55 Target model. It's quite a bit too tall for the BC. NEF is aware of the problem, and chooses to do nothing about it.

[Tazman1602]

Good find at a good price. I ordered one of those when they first came out and waited two YEARS before I finally gave up.............

Then I found cast boolits............and Marlin 45-70's, and a Gibbs 45-70, and............well, this place is bad for cast boolit addiction.

Like Ray said try the .457's first and see how they shoot. If you get leading some bronze chore boy brand scrubbing pads wrapped around a brush will take it out in minutes. While you're at it get some fishing sinkers and slug the barrel -- it's intimidating at first to think about screwing something up but once you KNOW the barrel diameter it makes a huge difference in accuracy to have a properly sized bullet.

If you do need a custom sizer die Buckshot is the guy to goto, he delivers very quickly and his prices are really reasonable.

................I still want one of those darn guns even though I've heard they boot you pretty good with stout loads and that steel buttplate.............................<GRIN>

Art

[DanM]

Alrighty....I have the basic tools ordered. Best deal on cases was from TOW, and they have starline in stock. Am starting with the Lee 405PB mold. Will of course get others later. I have heard that the BC preferrs hard boolits which is fine by me. Something to do with the shallow rifling. Good to know that they will shoot .457" boolits. Since the barrel is easily removable, will do a chamber and muzzle cast instead of slugging. Need to get that done in the next few days before the orders arrive. I have several custom sizers from Buckshot, and they are fine. I especially like his push rods that are releived for the nose contour. Will post results when I get it right. Later....DanM

[John Boy]

Haven't slugged the bore yet, but I assume I will have to hone out the Lee .457" sizer, or buy one from Buckshot. Any suggestions or experiences will be appreciated..

Model CR1871 - Buffalo Classic Rifle
Specifications
• Action - Color case hardened, break open, side lever release.
• Safety Mechanism - Patented transfer bar system.
• Barrel - 32" with a 1:20 rifling twist
• Bore - 0.450 and 0.456 grooves
• Bore – Actual 0.4525 and 0.454 grooves
• Chamber Diameter and Length - _____________________
• • Sights - Lyman 17AUG .584
• Sight Radius – 36.375” … 0.01”
• Length of Pull - 14" Drop at Comb - 1-3/4" Drop at Heel - 2-5/8"
• Weight - 8 lbs.
• Overall Length - 46"
• Stock - Hand checkered, American Black Walnut with case colored, crescent steel buttplate.
• Forend - Hand checkered, American Black Walnut.
• Ammunition - 45-70 Government. … Factory Winchester 405gr for testing at H&R

My rifle with 457 and 459's will shoot every bullet I have reloaded for: 385gr to 540gr. Might note - black powder reloads only

My very 1st range test was with the Big Lube Original 500gr bullet and 52gr volume of Triple7. At 600yds, a 5 shot group in the 7 ring measured 2.25 x 7" and 3 holes one could cover with a silver dollar

[wgr]

tasman is right about the gun it will thump you with heavy loads

[dangerranger]

Im just starting to reload for mine. so far the best load for mine has been 26 gr of h 4198 under a lee 405 bullit. Im just starting to play with seating depths. next Ill try some harder bullits. mine really pounded my shoulder in its stock trim with the Hornaday lever evolutions. so Ive added all the weight I could to the rear, and started with trapdoor loads and been much happier. I found that a copper 3/4" pipe would just fit in the buttstock so I filled one with soft lead and gained 6 oz over shot in a plastic bag. [ no air space]. Im not real recoil sensitive but I take blood thinners, and they make me bruise easily. my first go around left me in many colors not found in nature. by dropping from 2200 fps to 1400fps and adding over 2lbs of weight its become a pleasure to shoot. DR

[HiVelocity]

I've never shot the H&R 45-70 but I was thinking [dangerous sometimes, I know], why not install one of the "100 STRAIGHT DEAD MULE RECOIL REDUCER's" that Brownells sells; maybe that will work on the recoil idea.

Just a thought, kind of expensive, but an option.

HV:drinks:

[Tazman1602]

Hey man how does it shoot? Like I said I've wanted one of those for a few years now..................even done the trigger research. Everything you always wanted to know about Handi-Rifle triggers but were afaid to ask:

http://perkloafm.com/pdf/Handi_instr_one.pdf

Art

[Catshooter]

The .45-70 is a wonderful cartridge. Just wonderful. And it's like the H&R's were just made for it. I've got a 22 incher, and I just recently bought another 22 inch off of Graybeards that I think I just cut to 16.5 inches.

Drink the koolaid Tazman!


Cat

[dangerranger]

Hey man how does it shoot? Like I said I've wanted one of those for a few years now..................even done the trigger research. Everything you always wanted to know about Handi-Rifle triggers but were afaid to ask:

http://perkloafm.com/pdf/Handi_instr_one.pdf

Art

my truigger came from the factory breaking clean at 3lbs. not all my handis are as nice. DR

[mroliver77]

Even my stiff triggers break pretty nice. It does seem like they get better with use also. No 45-70 barrel for thr NEF/H&R's yet. I better get on that!
Jay

[Tom-ADC]

I'm looking at one in 45-70 waiting to hear back from the local FFL dealer to see what charges are involved.
I wish I could find one in 38-55 but so far no luck.

[DanM]

Well you guys were right about the front sight being too high. The loads I have tried hit way low. Using the Lee 405gr FN bullet with 26gr A2400, which is a 1400fps load, I had to push the rear sight slider all the way forward to get them on target at 50-100yds. The front of the slider is hanging half off the channel it rides on. Seems to be OK like that, but will never elevate much further. Accuracy was fair to good, 2-4" at 100yds with that load. Another load I tried was 38grs R7 with the same bullet. Judging from the bigger thump, this load was obviously hotter, but the light fell off too much for my chrono to read them. They were hitting too low for the sights, and I did not get much of a group. I like the front sight a lot, but wish it was lower. I may end up changing the rear sight for one with more elevation. That nice Pachmeyer leather slip on recoil pad will no doubt see some use on this rifle....
Does look like big fun ahead!

[onondaga]

I have a Handi SB2 in .500 S&W mag and really like it. Here is some good info on the rifle:

http://www.varminthunters.com/tech/nef.html

gary

[Old Goat Keeper]

Tom those H&R BCs in 38-55 ARE quite hard ot find. I looked for ra long time and finally settled for a Classic carbine in 45 Colt. Also a Lil Sharps in 38-55. The sharps was WAY mor emoney and I don't think it shoots any better. Those H&Rs amaze me with how they shoot!

Tom

[Tom-ADC]

Tom those H&R BCs in 38-55 ARE quite hard ot find. I looked for ra long time and finally settled for a Classic carbine in 45 Colt. Also a Lil Sharps in 38-55. The sharps was WAY mor emoney and I don't think it shoots any better. Those H&Rs amaze me with how they shoot!

Tom

Found one on another board, as they say "Checks in the mail", figured I got lucky.
Now I need to stock up on 38-55 stuff, going to start with BP 1st and cast boolits:bigsmyl2:

[Old Goat Keeper]

Tom-ADC afore you buys any boolit/bullets/molds please size your barrel and throat. Them 38-55's vary a lot in bore an throat size. Don't ask me how I know! lol

Tom who love eot shoot either the classic carbine or the lil Sharps

[lonewolf5347]

a good year for the b.c. barrel 38-55 when marlin took the spec: over I have one that will shoot outstanding using .379 or .380
sarco mould 255 FP

[Tom-ADC]

Tom who love to shoot either the classic carbine or the lil Sharps

What brass do you recommend? the long or the short? I see Starline sells both sizes?

Tom who loves to shoot either the Smith Carbine or big Sharps :bigsmyl2:

[358wcf]

Tom- I use both lengths in my two 38-55s- Short stuff, W-W and normal Starline in the Win 94 rifle, and the longer Starline in the Win 1885 Hiwall- Using different boolits as well, one for each rifle.

Chuck
358wcf [smilie=1:[smilie=1:

[Texantothecore]

Thanks for the trigger info and links. I have been looking for that a good while.