Range Report on Buffalo Classic 45LC and Trailboss Cast Loads

[wellfedirishman]

Earlier this year I picked up a Buffalo Classic Carbine in 45LC. I only took it to the range once and put a box of cast loads through it to ring a gong, but never tested for accuracy.

http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/mm138/wellfedirishman/Buffalo%20Classic/Carbine.jpg

It has a bead front and buckhorn type rear sight. I have a very hard time seeing the rear sight, I might replace it with a peep or a tang sight.

http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/mm138/wellfedirishman/Buffalo%20Classic/BCCarbinesightpicture.jpg

Today I took it out with several different cowboy loads I worked up, all using 7 grains of Trailboss. Per my load manual, this is about 900 fps approx from a revolver for a 240 grain bullet, so probably 1200 fps from the carbine. I don't own a chrony to test load velocities. Obviously the heavier bullets are slower.

Load 1: 200 grain Bear Creek .452 diameter, hollow base, round nose.
Load 2: 240 grain Cast bullet .454 diameter, flat nose. Unknown mold as I got these in a trade.
Load 3: 330 grain Lee cast from 460 Hammer GB mold .459 diameter flat nose.
Load 4: 340 grain Lee cast from Lee factory mold .457 diameter semi flat nose.

All groups were shot at 25 yards. It was pouring rain and the only other distance at this range was 100 yards, so that wasn't an option. I shot 10 shots for each target, except for #2 (only shot 5 before the cease fire was called).

Load 1: The top two holes were sighters before I adjusted the rear sight down.
http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/mm138/wellfedirishman/Buffalo%20Classic/45LC452200grBearCreek7grTB25ydsBC45.jpg

Load 2:
http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/mm138/wellfedirishman/Buffalo%20Classic/45LC454240grUnknown7grTB25yardsBC45.jpg

Load 3: (this boolit shoots a bit to the right, both on this and another target I shot)
http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/mm138/wellfedirishman/Buffalo%20Classic/45LC459330grHammer7grTB25yardsBC45.jpg

Load 4:
http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/mm138/wellfedirishman/Buffalo%20Classic/45LC457340grLee7grTB25yardsBC45.jpg

Overall it shoots decently enough considering the rear sight and my eyes. With a rear peep it should produce tighter groups. The heavy boolits (especially Load 4: Lee 340 grain shoot better than I initially expected).

Anyone else have one of these?

[canyon-ghost]

Sir, you are surely making me want one of those! #4 load looks great!

[saz]

That trail boss is fun aint it? I have a load that is a 255gr Lee RNFP with 9.5 grs trailboss out of a 454 Puma that runs right at 1100fps from a 16.5" barrel. You should be pretty close with that longer barrel.

[Old Goat Keeper]

WFIM I have one of those Classic Carbines (that's what is on the barrel) in 45 Colt. I could be wrong but I think the Bufflao Classics have a 32" barrel. Your's looks exactly like mine. But I DO know it will shoot way better than I can hold or see anymore with iron sights! For an inexpensive rifle it shoots! I've only shot factory thru it so far. I will also be putting either Williams peeps mounted on the rear of the barrell or a scope. Either way I think it will shoot really well to atleast 100 yards for deer hunting. Just love them light rifles for carrying and a big bore for DRT!

SAZ I have one of them Puma's in 454 and it shoots well too. What I like best about it is it will shoot anything from 45 Russian and 45 Schofield to full blown 454 ammo. Mity versatile sez I!

Tom

[saz]

Yep they sure are fun. Anything from light plinkers to mid 45/70 loads.

[smkummer]

Mild 45/70 load = higher pressure 45 Colt fired from a modern rifle in a more compact combination. Whats not to like?