Author Topic: Shooting the Buffalo Classic (Read 556 times)

Dr. A · « **on:** July 21, 2005, 11:54:16 AM »

Got one on a lark the other day, and had some fun last night. Conditions are terrible for shooting here, (103 degrees with 25mph winds) but it didn't seem to make much difference. I had some pretty good luck shooting last night. I am used to a Ruger #1, and an 1895 Marlin in this caliber, so I tried some of their loads. I rarely shoot pure Ruger #1 loads, so that doesn't come to play here. I used stock sights last night, although that may soon end.

Tried 400gr. Lyman 457643 with 25gr. of 2400. Gives me 1480 in my Marlin. I didn't chrony, but got 1 inch a couple of times at 50 yards. Other groups were in the 1.5 to 3 inch range.

Tried 405gr. Mountain Mold bullet (gas checked) with 52gr. of H322. Got 1 inch twice also. Hard to concentrate for long periods with this load...

Tried Lyman 457122 with H4198 (37gr), and XMP 5744 and 32gr. Both of these did very well, and in the Marlin will push the accuracy of a plain based bullet, but did well with this rifle. Best was about 1.5 inch.

Used my 10gr. of Titegroup load, but the sights would be a challenge if I moved off to 100 yards. Best was 1/2 inch.

In all, I shot about 100 rounds, and felt like I was shooting a completely different style. The gun is obviously much longer than my levers, and has a funny kind of balance. I got a lot of muzzle rise with that long barrel. That really suprised me. I'l just have to hold down a bit more. I am putting laminate stocks on soon, and may consider a mercury recoil reducer, although not totally convinced I need one.

Does anyone ever lapp their BC's barrels? I had pretty good luck, and don't really think I need to.

Has anyone slugged one? I would guess it slugs a bit smaller than my Marlin and Ruger.

Finally, are there any pet loads anyone wants to share? I guess I will probably just borrow the ones I have made up in my other rifles. I'm frankly surprised it was so easy to get to shoot!

quickdtoo · « **Reply #1 on:** July 21, 2005, 12:08:51 PM »

Sounds like ya had fun!!! I put a lead filled pipe in the stock of both my 45-70 and 45-120 BCs, and put a slip on Limbsaver recoil pad on em for bench work, I value my old shoulder more than I do traditionalism!!

I think you'll find that most of us lap the bores of all our H&R/NEF rifles, just makes a lot of sense to get the best accuracy soonest.

http://www.graybeardoutdoors.com/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?t=67669

Tim

Steelbanger · « **Reply #2 on:** July 21, 2005, 01:14:32 PM »

Hello Dr. A,

Four 45-70's eh? You have me beat by one! And like you, my last was the H & R BC. I had to change to a lower front sight because mine printed everything way too low, and the rear sight works fine as long as you haven't the need to keep changing settings. Mine is sighted for 50 yds right now and although I haven't tried many combinations, the Lee 500 gr. semi-spitzer and 23.5 gr of XMP 5744 wants to put 5 into one hole @ 50 yds. almost all the time. I truly believe that my eyesight is the weak link in this shooting process. Heavier loads in the BC make it hard, at least for me, to hold onto the dang rifle because of that thick grip area. As I've said somewhere, it's like trying to hold onto the business end of a baseball bat!

Last year I cast up a few handfuls of these Lee bullets with a pure lead front section, as was detailed by Ross Siefried in a "Handloader" magazine a few years ago. Ugly bullets to be sure but they shoot to the same point as the hard cast. If we can find a hunting spot for this season, I'd like to try one of these during our early antlerless season in October.

As for heavy loads, I too will save them for my Ruger No. 1, although they're not necessary for what I hunt here in PA.

Our weather has been hot too, but only in the 90's. I shot a match last month and it was 95Âº. After 10 shots in 5 minutes or so even the forend was hot! Better weather will be coming.

Best regards,

Dr. A · « **Reply #3 on:** July 21, 2005, 04:33:06 PM »

Hey Frank,

Interesting you should bring that up. I noticed the POA is needing all the height that can be provided by the Williams at 50 yards. It still prints fine, but won't probably farther on out. What size front is stock and what did you get to replace it with?

quickdtoo · « **Reply #4 on:** July 21, 2005, 04:45:08 PM »

The front sight is a .584" Lyman 17A, I had to change to a .404" tall to get on at 100yds, have since dumped the WGRS for the FP target sight...

http://www.buffaloarms.com/browse.cfm/4,1727.htm

I also added a Lee Shaver sight insert set which made a big difference for my old eyes...

http://www.buffaloarms.com/browse.cfm/4,49.htm

Tim

Dr. A · « **Reply #5 on:** July 23, 2005, 06:37:06 AM »

Thanks for all the help guys. I slugged the bore, and found the dovetail to be the smaller part of the barrel. Looks like .4578 for most of it, and .4575 at the dovetail. I am firelapping today. As I leave work, it appears to be 106!