45-70 buffalo classic
10-02-2007, 01:40 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location:
Posts: 12
45-70 buffalo classic
I know a lot of folks will shoot out there to 400 yards etc. Just not me, not into it. Been looking for a very old school gun with lots of knockdown to it. Been told the New England 45-70 bufflo classic is a good inexpensive gun with lots of punch at 100 yards or less when used with the .405 government load. True? False? Anyone shooting this? Hunting with it?
I know you can't believe everything you read in a magazine when they are trying to sell you something so I thought I'd ask.
Thanks,
Joe
I know you can't believe everything you read in a magazine when they are trying to sell you something so I thought I'd ask.
Thanks,
Joe
10-02-2007, 04:26 PM
#2
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Spokane Washington
Posts: 1,042
RE: 45-70 buffalo classic
45/70 ought to take care of just about anything you point it at out to 200 yards or so. They can even be made to shoot to the 400 yards with lot of practice and some know how.
10-02-2007, 08:38 PM
#3
Typical Buck
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 882
RE: 45-70 buffalo classic
Joe: I had a 45-70 BC excellent rifle but if your hunting will keep you in a 100 yard target why not look into the Handi 45-70 I think they are 22" barrel and you will have a choice of iron sight or scope. I loaded the BC using the 405 grain bullet with black powder loads also tried the 525 postal lead bullet with 65 grains of black but the light rifle will shatter your teeth with heavy lead bullets.
I made a bad choice when I purcahsed the 45-70 I should of went with the 38-55 I am not a fan for recoil
I made a bad choice when I purcahsed the 45-70 I should of went with the 38-55 I am not a fan for recoil
10-02-2007, 08:38 PM
#4
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: MISSOURI
Posts: 1,157
RE: 45-70 buffalo classic
I have one and I can tell you it is a great rifle.With the buffalo bore or garrett rounds it will flatten just about anything.I reload for mine and it will shoot 1in groups ok.
10-03-2007, 09:29 AM
#5
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location:
Posts: 12
RE: 45-70 buffalo classic
I had heard about the beartooth bullets that are 525 for this gun but only heard of them being run through the BC not the shorter handi gun. Not being the biggest guy in the world I figured the heavier gun would have less recoil.
Not sure that all my hunting will be within 100 yards but definately not out beyond 200 for certain. I know there are a lot of guns out there that are accurate far beyond that, just never been my hunting style.
I appreciate the input from folks that have actually used this gun, makes me feel better about ordering one. Apparently they are allocated and only dealers that sell a certain amount of the companies other firearms are able to get them. I'm lucky I have a dealer in the area who has a very good sized allocation and can get them pretty easy.
Might have to put a shock absorber on the butt of it though.
Thanks again to all.
Joe
Not sure that all my hunting will be within 100 yards but definately not out beyond 200 for certain. I know there are a lot of guns out there that are accurate far beyond that, just never been my hunting style.
I appreciate the input from folks that have actually used this gun, makes me feel better about ordering one. Apparently they are allocated and only dealers that sell a certain amount of the companies other firearms are able to get them. I'm lucky I have a dealer in the area who has a very good sized allocation and can get them pretty easy.
Might have to put a shock absorber on the butt of it though.
Thanks again to all.
Joe
10-03-2007, 03:09 PM
#6
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Rivesville, WV
Posts: 3,192
RE: 45-70 buffalo classic
The beauty of the 45-70 is that high velocity and recoil is not necessary to be an effective killing machine. Any velocity from 1200 to 1600 fps is very adequate. My two favorite loads are simple-40 grains of RL7 and a 405 grain cast(mine) bullet. Or just fill the case up with BP and lop off the excess with a butter knife, and seat the bullet.
At 1600 fps with a 405 grain pill, the only thingthat restricts your"killing range", is your ability to shoot your rifle. 200 yards is a piece of cake. All you need to do is practice. If you are willing to practice then the 45-70 is the greatest round there is. If you are not willing to practice, then stay away from it. It is really that simple.
Buy500 inexpensive cast bullet's and shoot away.405 grain lead pill's of just about any make up will be effectice on deer or most any other game short of dangerous game. Tom.
At 1600 fps with a 405 grain pill, the only thingthat restricts your"killing range", is your ability to shoot your rifle. 200 yards is a piece of cake. All you need to do is practice. If you are willing to practice then the 45-70 is the greatest round there is. If you are not willing to practice, then stay away from it. It is really that simple.
Buy500 inexpensive cast bullet's and shoot away.405 grain lead pill's of just about any make up will be effectice on deer or most any other game short of dangerous game. Tom.
10-03-2007, 08:44 PM
#7
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Spokane Washington
Posts: 1,042
RE: 45-70 buffalo classic
ORIGINAL: HEAD0001
The beauty of the 45-70 is that high velocity and recoil is not necessary to be an effective killing machine. Any velocity from 1200 to 1600 fps is very adequate. My two favorite loads are simple-40 grains of RL7 and a 405 grain cast(mine) bullet. Or just fill the case up with BP and lop off the excess with a butter knife, and seat the bullet.
At 1600 fps with a 405 grain pill, the only thingthat restricts your"killing range", is your ability to shoot your rifle. 200 yards is a piece of cake. All you need to do is practice. If you are willing to practice then the 45-70 is the greatest round there is. If you are not willing to practice, then stay away from it. It is really that simple.
Buy500 inexpensive cast bullet's and shoot away.405 grain lead pill's of just about any make up will be effectice on deer or most any other game short of dangerous game. Tom.
The beauty of the 45-70 is that high velocity and recoil is not necessary to be an effective killing machine. Any velocity from 1200 to 1600 fps is very adequate. My two favorite loads are simple-40 grains of RL7 and a 405 grain cast(mine) bullet. Or just fill the case up with BP and lop off the excess with a butter knife, and seat the bullet.
At 1600 fps with a 405 grain pill, the only thingthat restricts your"killing range", is your ability to shoot your rifle. 200 yards is a piece of cake. All you need to do is practice. If you are willing to practice then the 45-70 is the greatest round there is. If you are not willing to practice, then stay away from it. It is really that simple.
Buy500 inexpensive cast bullet's and shoot away.405 grain lead pill's of just about any make up will be effectice on deer or most any other game short of dangerous game. Tom.
10-04-2007, 09:56 PM
#9
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Big Sky Country
Posts: 100
RE: 45-70 buffalo classic
I own the Buffalo Classic 45/70 and love it. The last time I shot I used the Buffalo Bore 405 gr. J.F.N. (2000 fps / M.E. 3597 ft. lbs.) out to 300 yards because that was all the distance I had to shoot. I started out traditional with a Harrington and Wesson rear sight, but changed to a Leupold VXIII 2.6x8x36 scope for hunting. I had my rifle refinished by Robar with a Roguard barrel and NP3 receiver. I am looking to get a buffalo engraved on the side after hunting season.
This rifle is a shooter. The recoil is more of a push than a slam and not as bad as the leverguns in my opinion. It is one of my favorite rifles. MV out!
This rifle is a shooter. The recoil is more of a push than a slam and not as bad as the leverguns in my opinion. It is one of my favorite rifles. MV out!
