Author Topic: Buffalo Classic factory loads (Read 1083 times)

duckmorgan · « **on:** October 19, 2008, 11:48:18 AM »

I am probably going to order a BC tommorrow and wanted to find out what factory loads others would reccommend to get started shooting at the range. I do not prefer to have hot ammo that puts a welt on my shoulder. I have read some about the Rem. 405grn factory ammo and that it provided good accuracy but do not know if it is a kicker.

Also is there any factory loaded black powder ammo that is out there that works well too since I know it will be easy on the recoil?

I am planning to hunt deer some this winter with this gun so I will need enough energy to do the job once it hits its mark (I know about any 45/70 ammo that hits a deer will kill it unless the shot is long range, given shot placement was good). I will not be shooting over 150 yds either.

Any info will help, thanks Robert

Badnews Bob · « **Reply #1 on:** October 19, 2008, 12:34:39 PM »

The green box remingtons are trapdoor loads and really very mild to shoot, They are also pretty accurate out of my handie. A couple of companys load black powder but I've no experince with them myself.

The rem 405s are a good starting point thou.

petemi · « **Reply #2 on:** October 19, 2008, 01:28:16 PM »

I have a 22 incher, which likes the Hornady Leverevolutions. They shoot flatter, longer and with minimum recoil. 325 gr. and 2050 fps. It'll dump your whitetail and not cripple your shoulder, or the deer. Take some time and learn it and you'll take deer cleanly at 300 yards. The .45-70 is NOT just a short range gun.

duckmorgan · « **Reply #3 on:** October 19, 2008, 01:54:36 PM »

Thank you guys, I do like Hornady as far as rifle cartridges go so I will try them and some of the Remington 405grns too. I will update of my future endeavors.

petemi · « **Reply #4 on:** October 19, 2008, 02:09:32 PM »

Good luck, and have fun. Pete

tykempster · « **Reply #5 on:** October 19, 2008, 04:21:30 PM »

The Remington factory loads remind me of a 28 gauge or .410...less than a 30-30 I'd estimate.

Smokin Joe · « **Reply #6 on:** October 19, 2008, 04:43:36 PM »

Robert, here's a comparison.

Rifle wt = 8 lbs

300 gn @ 1810 = 20.71 ft/lbs
405 gn @ 1330 = 20.46 ft/lbs
325 gn @ 2050 = 28.37 ft/lbs

The recoil inpulse from the Hornady Leverevolution is about 25% higher, so it feels somewhat "sharper".

duckmorgan · « **Reply #7 on:** October 19, 2008, 05:51:18 PM »

Smokingjoe thanks for the table. It makes sense. I have shot a 257 Roberts Ackley improved for so long and then in the past year a 7mm08 and have gotten acustomed to that recoil if you call it much of a recoil. I did shoot for a few months a Savage 24v combo 3030 and 12 ga 3 1/2" magnum. If you shot a slug magnum down that barrel you were brave. I chose not to shoot it anymore. I have JPSauer drilling 16x16x8x57jr for a combo. I am going to find a new home for the Savage.

What kind of velocity can you get from black powder in the BC and reloads, that is what I will probaly do in the future.

Graybeard · « **Reply #8 on:** October 20, 2008, 02:23:43 AM »

Black Hills makes some really great stuff for CAS shooters. In my BC it was nicely accurate and very mild on recoil. It basically duplicates original BP level loads. If I were gonna stick with factory loads that's likely all I'd shoot.

Smokin Joe · « **Reply #9 on:** October 20, 2008, 05:09:41 AM »

Quote

What kind of velocity can you get from black powder in the BC and reloads, that is what I will probaly do in the future.

With black, you're looking at around 1000-1300 fps. You can duplicate this easily with smokless. It's easy to load down to 900 fps or go up to a shoulder ripping 2200'.
I personally like to load a 350 gn hard cast slug at about 1400-1500.

tykempster · « **Reply #10 on:** October 20, 2008, 01:02:03 PM »

If you could pay someone $20 a box to reload them for you it would be cheaper...factory 45-70 loads are ridiculous if you want good quality.

duckmorgan · « **Reply #11 on:** October 20, 2008, 01:35:30 PM »

I will reload later down the road. I have all the equipment and then, my father keeps giving me stuff. I have presses. powder measures, dies coming etc. I have never reloaded rifle cartridges unlike my father who has a great deal but I do have an extensive amount of experience with shotgun shell reloading. I can go on and on about loads and recipes for old gun and hot new guns and low recoil etc. This said I just need to crawl with my new BC before I run. It is a learning curve, I do have some back ground in black powder for percussion rifles too so I am sure I can learn.

I figured I will just shoot some factory ammo this season and start reloading after the first of the year as long as we can still get powder and primers (this will only be if McCain gets elected). sorry I do not know if you can speak up politically on this site but we all should b/c we all, I am sure, support the right to bare arms. Thanks to all that have spoke up.

Troyboy · « **Reply #12 on:** October 20, 2008, 03:21:12 PM »

I like your ideas. Welcome

Troy

petemi · « **Reply #13 on:** October 21, 2008, 04:36:43 AM »

I like both you guys ideas. Pete

BBF · « **Reply #14 on:** October 21, 2008, 01:05:12 PM »

I have only shot the 405 gr Rem's as factory fodder. Recol is not an issue but it does leave a very messy bore in my NEF.
I have loaded the 405's with 2400 and get the same velocity as the factory loads with a very clean looking bore.

Calgarynorm · « **Reply #15 on:** October 23, 2008, 09:08:56 AM »

I just noticed in the Cabelas catalog that they are selling .45-70 Gov factory loaded GOEX black powder rounds at $26.99 for 405 grain and $30.49 for 500 grain, for 20 per box.

I am paying about $28.95 here in Calgary for Hornady 325 gr LEVERevolution for 20 rounds. The BP has much lower recoil and still shoots about the same ballistics out to 150 yards. Extra cleaning of the BP afterwards is the only difference.

After I shoot about 30 rounds of factory smokeless my H&R Buffalo gun gets so hot the forestock screw burns my left hand when I am aiming. The BP does not seem to get the barrel as hot.

I have gotten crazy with a new reloading hobby the last few months and spent about $1500 (according to my wife) on reloading equipment, bullets, casings, etc. I typically stock about 400 rounds of .45-70 BP with 405 gr lead bullets.

If you shoot only 100 rounds a year I would buy the Cabelas factory BP loads. BP shoots a lot nicer than the smokeless.

Now does anybody have a long range tang rear sight for an H&R Buffalo gun? They all seem to be back-ordered in the on-line stores unless you pay $450 for them (as much as this H&R gun cost me new). My local Pro-Line Shooters store does not have any in-stock either. Also Homeland Security will not let gun items over $100 exit the USA without an export license. It is hard to shoot over 150 yards without one.

kevinsmith5 · « **Reply #16 on:** October 23, 2008, 01:30:31 PM »

Try Track of the wolf (www.trackofthewolf.com) and look under sights. I got mine there.

The only real issue I have with Lever Evolution loads is the case length, my one and only box shot well but the cases were impossible to reload. If you don't mind single use loads there good I suppose.

Calgarynorm · « **Reply #17 on:** October 26, 2008, 09:47:17 AM »

Kevin,
Thanks for the tip on the tang sight. I expect mine in a few days from Track the Wolf.

I have Hornady and Winchester 45-70 casings and they still seem to be fine after about 3 or 4 reloads. Casing lenagth has not been an issue as they still seem to go in the gun. I also seat the 405 grain lead bullets down to the last lub ring. This crushes the BP a bit but they keep coming out of the barrel fine. What caused you problems?

I tried a few 255 grain bullets but I also tried the post insert in my front peep site (instead of the small circle) and all the 255 bullets went into the mud in front of the target at 100 yards. The post was not lined up with the barrel and caused the barrel to shoot low. I am back to the small circle in the sight. I may try the 255 gr lead again some time in the future just for kicks.

jacksrbtr46 · « **Reply #18 on:** October 26, 2008, 11:12:29 AM »

My hunting partner and I are using the Hornady LEVERevolution's 325 gr in his BC and his Handi, and I am using them my Ultra Hunter SS and love them. The longest a deer has run, so far after the shot, is 30 yards, the longest shot has been at 210 yards.

Jack

kevinsmith5 · « **Reply #19 on:** October 26, 2008, 01:38:51 PM »

I didn't know you were talking BP loads In Smokeless loads the shortened case increases pressure and increases the risk of damage to you or the weapon. In BP loads it reduces teh max load by reducing case space. I also had problems with them flaring at the base when fired. And the shortened case meant I couldn't use my case trimmer to insure uniform case lenght on reload.

Smokin Joe · « **Reply #20 on:** October 26, 2008, 02:21:08 PM »

You can use and reload the Leverevolution case just fine. See my post:

http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,149754.msg1098628370.html#msg1098628370

Troyboy · « **Reply #21 on:** October 26, 2008, 03:00:21 PM »

Thanks smokin joe good read now we know about the le brass. Don't know how i missed that post

Troy