Author Topic: 45/70: The 32 inch Barrel, Anyone Shoot IT? (Read 2099 times)

MarkA · « **on:** June 16, 2004, 04:51:33 PM »

Are y'all shootin' the 22 or 32 inch barrel. I have an SB2 and may get a 45/70 barrel. This round is so HEAVY thinking the 32" may be best. Comments???

Ed Hill · « **Reply #1 on:** June 16, 2004, 05:31:23 PM »

I shoot the Buff classic because I wanted to get into loading black powder. Most of the results I see posted from the 22 inch barrel are similiar to what I get at 100 yds. I think the benefit of the longer barrel is in higher velocity with BP and in distances over 200 yds. Several Buff owners have reported ( and posted) very good groups at 300+ yds.
That being said, I wouldn't pick a 45-70 for a long range game rifle, it's hard enough to zero in on a target at 250 yds, and they hold still!
Just my opinion, I know some folks will differ.

E.D.

Wlscott · « **Reply #2 on:** June 17, 2004, 03:43:35 AM »

Mark, I've got the 22" 45-70 barrel on my Ultra. I got it primarily as a short range (100-150 yard max) hunting rifle.

I really like the way this gun handles. It points like a good shotgun in your hands.

I can't really comment on the accuracy because I have been messing with cast bullets lately, and I'm pretty new to loading them. Most of my problem seems to be due to my inexperience loading for these type bullets.

I can comment on the velocity. The velocity I am getting out of the shorter barrel seems to be on par with what most of the books say I should be getting. I'm pretty happy with it. Like I said, I don't plan on using it past 150, so I am mostly just going for accuracy.

Overall, I am pleased with this barrel. It is a blast to shoot.

50 Calshtr · « **Reply #3 on:** June 17, 2004, 05:00:10 AM »

If you are going to hunt or just spend some fun time on the range go with the shorter barrel, it's much "Handier". The longer bbl is like having a phone pole on your rifle. As for accuracy my son's Handi with the 22" bbl is as accurate as most any 45-70 I've owned and I've never not owned a 45-70 in the last 40 years. Inch and a half groups at 100 yds are the norm with a 1.5-4.5 scope on this rifle using 40 gr of IMR 4198 and a 300 gr HP. On handling I'll echo WLscotts comments. If recoil is a concern add weight to the forend or butt or a "Dead Mule" recoil reducer in the butt. Have fun and remember you don't have to use hot loads in a 45-70 to get results down range, either in accuracy or on game.
Best.

handirifle · « **Reply #4 on:** June 17, 2004, 05:01:16 AM »

Mark
I had a BC for a couple years. Found one load that gave me 3 shot 3/4" groups with speer 400gr bullets. That was with a tang mounted sight. These can be VERY accurate rifles.

If you scope it that minimizes the advantage of the longer barrel since it is mostly for open sights. You will get a bit more velocity, maybe 100-200fps over the 22" model.

These guns (45-70) are capable, with mild factory 405gr loads, of easy 300yd kills on deer and black bear. The trajectory is the main issue. They are not like shooting an '06.

sureshot2040 · « **Reply #5 on:** June 17, 2004, 12:07:39 PM »

i got a buff classic and wouldnt take anything for it. i bought it used from a guy that said he only shot it five times, said it kicked to much for him. i got it for 200 bucks! i mounted a creedmore tang sight on it and now that i know my range on it, i can consistently bust 12inch balloons at 475 yards using 38.5 grains of imr 3031 powder behind a remington 405 grain jacketed bullets. im just waiting for the deer to walk out on my range this season

this gun is very accurate. that load i mentioned is mild i dont even use any padding against the steel buttplate
the only thing else i might would do to my rifle is change to a pistol type grip stock just cause i think it would make it look better.
get that 45-70 barrel and hit em and hit em hard!
sureshot

Big Blue · « **Reply #6 on:** June 17, 2004, 03:50:03 PM »

Mark A,
I'd have to agree with the others that said the 32" is a bit too long for woods hunting. I ended up cutting the barrel down to 27", and believe it or not, the shorter barrel is producing less recoil. I had weighted the stock when shooting with the 32" barrel, but now I have no reason to.
Don

handirifle · « **Reply #7 on:** June 21, 2004, 09:06:05 AM »

MarkA
Here is a pic of my 32" BC barrel's groups. This was repeatable too.

Sorry it's so blurry.

Big Blue · « **Reply #8 on:** June 21, 2004, 02:49:01 PM »

Quote from: handirifle

MarkA
Here is a pic of my 32" BC barrel's groups. This was repeatable too.

Sorry it's so blurry.

handirifle,
Nice group! :toast: Could you share your load info?
Don

LibertyShip · « **Reply #9 on:** June 22, 2004, 02:57:26 AM »

Using 405gr Remington Green Box ammo, I shot a good, 10 shot 7-inch group with the BC at 300 yards. Iron sights. No flyers.

handirifle · « **Reply #10 on:** June 22, 2004, 04:08:26 AM »

Quote

Using 405gr Remington Green Box ammo, I shot a good, 10 shot 7-inch group with the BC at 300 yards. Iron sights. No flyers

WoW! Small groups at 100 are one thing but to keep them small at 300 is REALLY good. Nice shooting.

Mac11700 · « **Reply #11 on:** June 22, 2004, 09:20:59 AM »

Handirifle...very nice groups you got there....I think it would be a great project to get one of the Buff Classic barrels mated to my receiver to go along with my 308...this is one project that as soon as I have time will do.Hopefully DJ will still have the chamber reamer available when I do this since I want to be able to shoot all of the .458 bullets thru it.I think a 28" lenght barrel would be plenty and still be managable for me and where I hunt and shoot,I don't think it would hinder me at all...also I have seen a couple of advertisements in Rifle and Handloader magazines of being able to have your barrels reworked into a full octagon or 1/2 octagon 1/2 round type...which would be awsome as well...I'll have to dig those mags out and get some prices on doing this.....man an octagon barrel 28" 45-70 in my Handi...I would be in hog heaven....

Mac

handirifle · « **Reply #12 on:** June 23, 2004, 04:39:24 AM »

Mac
Before you pay to have a barrel made into an octogon one, talk to Lee Shaver at www.egunsmith.com about mounting a Badger FULL octogon barrel on it instead. He cuts the barrel mounting lug off an old barrel and installs it on a barrel of your choice.

Lee was the one I bought my sight from and he installed the false tang in the wrist of my BC for the Soule sight.

First class work and he specializes in single shot rifles. He is in MO. and his prices are reasonable too. Don't know about barrel costs, but shouldn't be more than buying a BC barrel and re-working to octogon. Plus you wouldn't have a barrel that was thinned out in the process.

Getting another BC barrel and having itfitted to my Ultra AND cut to 28" is number one on my to do list.