Author Topic: New member with a new Buffalo Classic 45 Colt... (Read 1296 times)

Roper1952 · « **on:** April 22, 2009, 12:06:01 PM »

Hello,

Roper here, I just picked up my BC last week. Nice enough piece for the money, except one nagging issue. The rear sight is skewed/bent to the right about 1/8th of an inch. Boy, does that play hell with the POI. Groups are great on elevation, but a bit off on windage...

Needless to say I'll be talking with H&R about getting a new rear sight.

It looks like this group is fairly heavy into these rifles and that's good because I'm not much of a rifle guy. Scatterguns and wheelguns are my favorites. I picked this up because some of my handloads are a handfull in my Blackhawks. So far they are much milder in the BC. I just couldn't see spending a grand or more for a Low Wall or Sharps, so the H&R fit my wallet much better.

I'll quit gabbing for now and do some more reading. Nice to meet Ya'll so far...

Roper

quickdtoo · « **Reply #1 on:** April 22, 2009, 12:24:09 PM »

Welcome aboard from a fellow Washingtonian!!

Don't fret too much about the rear sight, mine was the same way before I removed it, I just use a Williams WGRS peep sight, or more often, a scope which is how I set my 45LC Carbine up, my old eyes just don't work on open sights very well. $:-\$ You'll love the BC Carbine, I shot 2 jacketed loads thru mine before I rechambered it to 460S&W, the 250gr Speer GDHP and the 250gr Hornady SST, both on top of Lil'gun using Hodgdon Ruger/TC data for the 250gr XTP, I got 1½-2" groups or better at a little over 1900fps with max loads with it at 100yds.

Tim

cwlongshot · « **Reply #2 on:** April 22, 2009, 01:28:05 PM »

I have one too and loved it in long colt. (One of my all time favorite calibers) Like Tim, I choose to re-chamber it, only I choose 454 Cassull. I have only shot it once re-chambering. the loads that shot good in it as a long colt where not as good in the new chamber, but a different load shot pretty good. Now the 454s I loaded up, shot far better than I could have hoped! One hole about an inch @ 50 yards.

Remington should make good on your rear site. But the addition of a scope will really show how well your CR can shoot.

CW

dpe.ahoy · « **Reply #3 on:** April 22, 2009, 01:44:00 PM »

Howdy, Roper and welcome. I haven't reamed mine out yet, still 45 Colt and had the issue of one of the screws in the rear sight was busted so you can't tighten it up. Since I can't see it that well, took the blade out and just shot it with out the insert. I will be putting a scope on mine as well since Old Fartitis has hit my eyes also.

Had to work on the extractor to get the cases to come out when new, still like the barrel, but have my 22 Hornet on the frame and wood now and the 45 barrel on another frame. Like most everybody here, just can't leave well enough alone, gotta change somethin'

. DP

Datil · « **Reply #4 on:** April 22, 2009, 04:01:26 PM »

Welcome Roper to the GBO forums, and wonderful world of handi's.
Take care, Marv. In Texas By God

pitman_mm · « **Reply #5 on:** April 22, 2009, 07:01:40 PM »

Welcome Roper. I bought a BC 45 Colt the other day and it should arrive anytime now. I have already got a peep sight comeing for it and cant wait to get it set up and zeroed in. Good luck with yours and glad to have you here.

Blackhawker · « **Reply #6 on:** April 23, 2009, 04:40:04 AM »

Welcome Roper.

I've only had my CR-45 out twice now and I've got the same problem. Elevation is fine (but can be adjusted anyway) but the windage is WAY off by about 5 inches at 50 yards. I haven't fretted this though.....yet. Maybe I've got this wrong but I've had the same problem on a lever action 94 rifle once and all I did was get a brass punch and move the rear sight over in the correct direction until I was on target. This is what I was going to do with mine at the range the other day but I forgot to bring my punches with me. Isn't this all it takes to fix rather than going out and buying a new sight etc?

Roper, it sounds to me like you enjoy the "old west" type stuff and the buckhorn sight on the CR-45 is sort of right up that alley (I guess). You might try moving that sight over rather than replacing it.

...then again, maybe I'm wrong.

Maybe Tim or CW can set us straight with this.

Anyway, that's my two cent's worth.

Lucky Joe · « **Reply #7 on:** April 23, 2009, 05:28:21 AM »

Roper1952,

You came to the right place to talk about your new gun. This is one of the best forums I visit for quick (pun intended) and accurate information on H&R's. Welcome.

coyotejoe · « **Reply #8 on:** April 23, 2009, 05:32:03 AM »

Unless I misunderstand Roper's post, his problem is not that the rear sight is just off-center but it is slanted, not plumb with the front sight. There is no easy fix since that indicates the dovetail in the barrel was cut on a slant. But a Williams peep will be a great improvement anyway.

quickdtoo · « **Reply #9 on:** April 23, 2009, 06:02:01 AM »

As CJ said, the dovetail is askew on mine, you may be able to tweak the sight a little to compensate, but the WGRS would be a much nicer sight, it's $18.55 from H&R. Or have H&R replace the barrel, (866)776-9292 toll free.

Tim

PHATINJUN · « **Reply #10 on:** April 23, 2009, 06:03:38 AM »

Welcome Roper your gonna love it. Mine also sports a scope and have really only shot one load out of it got it late last summer and wanted a thumper load for thick cover Wisconsin deer . Haven't messed with the chamber yet but the load we put togeather was a 385gr cast bullet at almost 1500fps so it should handle anything you have heavy for your Blackhawks. I will ring out some lighter loads this summer.Kurt

pitman_mm · « **Reply #11 on:** April 23, 2009, 06:16:12 AM »

Tim, does the WGRS work with the factory front sight or is there a better option. Thanks for all your help and info.

Blackhawker · « **Reply #12 on:** April 23, 2009, 06:44:48 AM »

I see now......my mistake. I didn't realize that Roper meant the mount and/or the sight was askew. You're all right, either a new sight or new barrel will only fix that. Good luck with repairs Roper. Even though I've only used mine twice thus far and have a couple of problems to work on with it, I know these are fun rifles and I can't wait to tweak mine just right. The 45 Colt is a very fun round to load and shoot from a rifle.

quickdtoo · « **Reply #13 on:** April 23, 2009, 06:55:55 AM »

Quote from: pitman_mm on April 23, 2009, 06:16:12 AM

Tim, does the WGRS work with the factory front sight or is there a better option. Thanks for all your help and info.

See Peep and Firesights in the FAQs, I haven't used one with factory sights, only with Firesights on the 45-70 and 44 mag. The Carbine uses a Marbles sight that is .475" tall, the WGRS at mid ramp is the same height, use the Brownell's sight height calculator in the Peep and Firesights link to determine if the factory sight will work with the WGRS.

Tim

Roper1952 · « **Reply #14 on:** April 23, 2009, 12:35:25 PM »

Here's the cockeyed little bugger...I'm not sure but the dovetail might be askew in the barrel. I think I'll drift punch it out and check with a machinists square.

quickdtoo · « **Reply #15 on:** April 23, 2009, 12:48:57 PM »

Mine looked ok from that view, but is higher on one side than the other, the dovetail isn't on the same plain as the front sight. Yours might just need to be squared up in the dovetail a bit by either pushing the left front edge to the right a touch or the right rear edge to the left a little. You may also be able to move the sight a little on the dovetail base, it appears to be two parts, swing the rear to the left to center it.

Tim

Blackhawker · « **Reply #16 on:** April 23, 2009, 11:27:15 PM »

WOW, that's really cockeyed. I can't believe it left the facory like that. Even though the appearance of it looks goofy as heck, I think the windage issue could still be solved by moving the sight left or right to compensate the POI, couldn't it?

Maybe, if you're lucky, someone from H&R is looking at this thread you'll get a call in the morning for a new barrel.

Default · « **Reply #17 on:** April 24, 2009, 06:39:35 AM »

Well now now I sure am glad I read this post ,

Roper welcome to our neck of the woods ... Sorry to hear that your first handi had to have an issue like this ... I shoot a Uberti (goldenboy) 45lc level action that cant handle those stout loads i want to play with, neither can the matching Uberti revolver... So the 45lc BC barrel has been a serious consideration for a while now ... Now i think i might need to hold off till i hear that they have their dove-tailing process a little more refined .. Or know that a scoped life is a strong possibility for it if i bite the bullet and order now.

Best of luck with it ,

Default

Roper1952 · « **Reply #18 on:** April 24, 2009, 07:34:03 AM »

I spoke with H&R's service department this morning and they are sending me a new rear sight. I pulled the rear sight from the barrel and it's aparent that the dovetail has some loose tolerances. The sight can be tapped from side to side to some extent.

It looks like Williams sights offer some great solutions with their receiver sights. I'll most likely remove the stock sight and install one from Williams. I assume they install common to the aft most two screws at the back of the barrel since they state the hole spacing is one inch. Someone let me know if that's wrong.

Default, I wouldn't let this small issue keep you from getting a carbine. For the price and the versitility you get, it can't be beat. So, unless you're awash in cash....you get my drift.

quickdtoo · « **Reply #19 on:** April 24, 2009, 08:11:07 AM »

Yes, all of the receiver sights install in the two rear scope mount hole, you can read all about them in the FAQs link to Peep and Firesights, a good place for Handi newbies to spend lots of time reading.

As far as dovetail tolerance, they're meant to be slightly loose so windage can be adjusted, once they're where you want them, the sight base needs to be staked in place, that's the normal procedure for dovetail sights.

Tim

http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,118564.msg1098389893.html#msg1098389893

Blackhawker · « **Reply #20 on:** April 24, 2009, 08:32:05 AM »

Default,
For the price, you can't beat one of these rifles. They have the classic look and they are almost as tough as you can get. They're set up for many options of sights so even with a problem like Roper has, it can be fixed or an alternate can be found. Let's face it, almost anything you buy these days has some sort of defect or something the buyer doesn't completely like....right?

....and if it's heavy loads you want, read this article and take a look at some of the loads.

http://www.leverguns.com/articles/paco/45coltlevergun.htm

I'm not an advocate of pushing the absolute limits on loads (nor do I do so) but I have based some of my 45 colt loads on Paco Kelly's and other's writings. The CR-45, BC 45 (call it as you wish) should handle most of these loads. I'm sure Tim and/or some others here with more experience with this rifle can vouch for that. I bought my CR-45 in order to give my 94 trapper a break from those heavier loads before it "breaks" again.....and again. (parts for it are getting scarce for it)

quickdtoo · « **Reply #21 on:** April 24, 2009, 10:59:24 AM »

The SB2 frame will handle any 45 Colt load, it handles 460S&W loads just fine which has a SAAMI MAP of 65kpsi. The Colt/Casull/460 all have case heads that are just .007"-.010" (depending on what drawing you use) larger than the 270 Winchester which also has a SAAMI MAP of 65kpsi.

Tim

myarmor · « **Reply #22 on:** April 24, 2009, 11:02:00 AM »

Figured I would throw my welcome out there as well. I don't have a 45 Colt...yet... but Roper my friend I see a possibile 357 as well as a possibile 45-70 in your horizon, and then......

Enjoy your new toy

-Aaron

elmerkeithclone · « **Reply #23 on:** April 24, 2009, 08:10:09 PM »

Greetings from Iowa,

I just recently purchased a BC in 45 LC. I was doing the google thing just to see what others thought of them and landed here.

I have owned a whole lot of rifles over the years but for some reason I am giddy as heck over this little H+R. I just can't put it down!

For years now I have been doing my rifle deer hunting in Missouri. My weapon of choice has always been my well worn 1894 Marlin in 44mag. In the almost 30 years of using that gun in the Mo. timbers the longest shot that I have had to take was still shy of 100 yards. So the super duper boom whop magnums do little for me.

A little while back I took it to the range as to try out some new cast loads that I had put together. Long story short I got rained out about as quick as I got started so I put the gun behind the seat for another go the next day. Some time between then and the next morning my little 44 vanished. Did they get it while I was in the coffe shop, at Walmart, Sheels? Who knows. I can't remember leaving the truck unlocked but must have at some point in time as there were no signs of forced entry.

My deer hunting handguns are both Blackhawks one in 41 mag and one in 45LC and I decided that the replacement for the stolen gun would be in one of those calibers. I pouted for a few days but am anxious to get on with it using my new H&R. Its kinda like when your old and faithful bird dog finally passes on and you get a new pup that shows a lot of promise.

There doesn't seem to be any flaws in my new gun. The rear sight is intact and is dead center in the middle of the barrel. The fine little brass bead on top of the front sight and the buckhorn rear give me pretty much the same sight picture as my little 44 did. Yes siree boys I think I've found a keeper!

Since I have already got a bunch of 45's loaded with 200 grainers on top of a healthy dose of WW296, we'll give that a go. I intend to leave it just as it is as the 45LC is plenty enough for whitetail deer in the thickets. I might want to go with a heavier bullet though. If anybody has a favorite load they'ed like to share I'd be obliged!

cwlongshot · « **Reply #24 on:** April 25, 2009, 01:14:08 AM »

Quote from: elmerkeithclone on April 24, 2009, 08:10:09 PM

Greetings from Iowa,

I just recently purchased a BC in 45 LC. I was doing the google thing just to see what others thought of them and landed here.

I have owned a whole lot of rifles over the years but for some reason I am giddy as heck over this little H+R. I just can't put it down!

For years now I have been doing my rifle deer hunting in Missouri. My weapon of choice has always been my well worn 1894 Marlin in 44mag. In the almost 30 years of using that gun in the Mo. timbers the longest shot that I have had to take was still shy of 100 yards. So the super duper boom whop magnums do little for me.

A little while back I took it to the range as to try out some new cast loads that I had put together. Long story short I got rained out about as quick as I got started so I put the gun behind the seat for another go the next day. Some time between then and the next morning my little 44 vanished. Did they get it while I was in the coffee shop, at Walmart, Sheels? Who knows. I can't remember leaving the truck unlocked but must have at some point in time as there were no signs of forced entry.

My deer hunting handguns are both Blackhawks one in 41 mag and one in 45LC and I decided that the replacement for the stolen gun would be in one of those calibers. I pouted for a few days but am anxious to get on with it using my new H&R. Its kinda like when your old and faithful bird dog finally passes on and you get a new pup that shows a lot of promise.

There doesn't seem to be any flaws in my new gun. The rear sight is intact and is dead center in the middle of the barrel. The fine little brass bead on top of the front sight and the buck-horn rear give me pretty much the same sight picture as my little 44 did. Yes sirree boys I think I've found a keeper!

Since I have already got a bunch of 45's loaded with 200 grains on top of a healthy dose of WW296, we'll give that a go. I intend to leave it just as it is as the 45LC is plenty enough for whitetail deer in the thickets. I might want to go with a heavier bullet though. If anybody has a favorite load they'd like to share I'd be obliged!

WELCOME!!!
I too have the Black hawks, (all calibers) and Marlins in the mag pistol calibers!! I have shot a truck load of deer with them too! GREAT, FUN guns!!! This 45 H&R is a good looking great shooter as well, you will greatly enjoy it the more you shoot it!!!

CW

scout34 · « **Reply #25 on:** April 29, 2009, 07:37:52 AM »

Howdy Roper,

I've been looking at those online (Buffalo Classic) and was wondering if the trigger guard on them is plastic. Regular SB2s are plastic there, but since the BC has the nice wood and color case hardened reciever, I was wondering if they had updated the trigger guard as well.

Thanks,
Scout34

quickdtoo · « **Reply #26 on:** April 29, 2009, 08:10:44 AM »

ALL H&R firearms have plastic trigger guards and spacers, the last time a metal trigger guard was available was on the Wesson & Harrington 38-55 which hasn't been made for about 10yrs, prior to that it's been decades since the defunct H&R offered them. H&R used to sell them as an accessory for about $70 for the pair, but that is no longer the case, Talley says they're gonna make them, but so far that hasn't happened, see the sticky.

Tim

Roper1952 · « **Reply #27 on:** April 29, 2009, 05:05:19 PM »

I'm thinking that Ruger with their investment casting expertise should make a steel trigger guard....whaddya think?

pitman_mm · « **Reply #28 on:** May 02, 2009, 03:54:12 PM »

Just got mine, haven't shot it yet but it sure is purty and everything looks well made and finished. Got a question for you all, what sling swivel set would you use for a BC 45? Such as a part # or screw size that has worked out good. Thanks for any advice.