Author Topic: New-to-me Buffalo Classic; sight inserts (Read 1493 times)

Officer2312 · « **on:** March 02, 2011, 03:26:00 AM »

Hello, everyone
New to the forum, new to H&R, new to 45/70. Bought myself a buffalo classic last night, not yet shot it, but it only came with three sight inserts. I was wondering if anyone knows which inserts will fit in the factory front sight on the BC?
I've also noticed the barrel doesn't lock up good when I gently close it...I've read on here that that is a problem with new H&R rifles, but according to the serial number, mine was made 2004. Was wondering if the BC is just a rifle that needs to be closed with authority, or if I should see a smith.
I mean, I'm no newbie to firearms; I've built a couple of AR's and work on all my stuff myself, but I know what I don't know, and I've never messed with break action single shots.
Thanks, ya'll

cwlongshot · « **Reply #1 on:** March 02, 2011, 04:07:05 AM »

Welcome!

Yes handis shod be firmly snapped closed. Continuity is key with an accurate handi.

The front sites are Lyman so Lyman inserts fit.

Grab a coffee and spend some time in our FAQs. Tim has spent tireless hours accumulating valuable information in one place for all to search. There truly is a wealth of information there.

Good luck,
CW

Shu · « **Reply #2 on:** March 02, 2011, 04:31:52 AM »

Welcome and you picked the best caliber.

As all ready stated the FAQ section is awesome. Hope you enjoy the incredibly hi rate of fire these singles have.

quickdtoo · « **Reply #3 on:** March 02, 2011, 05:22:27 AM »

Welcome! Check out the Lee Shaver insert set in the long range sights link in the FAQs, a much nicer set than the Lyman, you may also learn your front sight is too tall causing low POI even with the WGRS sight at the top of the ramp, if you have to buy a lower sight, it will come with a set of inserts. Be sure to read the Handi Basics 101 sticky before shooting it, it will make your first range trip much more productive.

Tim

Officer2312 · « **Reply #4 on:** March 02, 2011, 09:25:15 AM »

Thanks, everyone. Actually read the new owners sticky last night, and it was definately helpful. I am worried about it hitting low, as the rear sight is pretty close to the top of the ramp right now. Won't be able to do any volume shooting for a while...don't have dies, powder, bullets, brass, or even any molds yet. Heck, I ain't even got any large rifle primers, and ain't even done enough research to be certain the 45/70 uses large primers! The purchase kinda took me by surprise, haven't even thought about a buffalo classic in two years. I do, however, have a custom load a fellow down in Arkansas gave me- a Trail Boss load for 405gr cast bullets. Told me with a 32" barrel it would drive nails at 200yards and "yer little sister kin shoot 'er all day long an' never getta sore shoulder". His buddies informed me he shot long range steel and if he said it was good, I outta listen. Looking forward to trying it out.

gcrank1 · « **Reply #5 on:** March 02, 2011, 02:12:55 PM »

Sight Inserts are Lyman 17A type.
You can 'shim' the base up higher but will probably need longer screws (available at your local gunshop). Make sure you clean the locktite out of the screw holes.
45-70 can shoot well light to reasonably heavy, but be advised there are three levels of data for the caliber. I dont recommend you go into the Ruger No.1 range.
Mine is liking the 340ish to 405 cast bullets very much.

Officer2312 · « **Reply #6 on:** March 02, 2011, 02:41:09 PM »

Thanks, bud- you read my mind...I've been on Lyman's web site trying to figure out just that!
I am familiar with the pressure levels, but thanks for the reminder; personally, I'm of the opinion that if they were killing buffalo out at the ranges they were a hundred years ago with low pressure loads, then it ought to do all I need nowadays! I might venture into the lower end levergun levels, but I bet I won't want to go too far with an eight pound gun and a steel buttplate.

gcrank1 · « **Reply #7 on:** March 03, 2011, 03:01:09 AM »

I am not ashamed to admit that cresent buttplates hurt me. Though I love the look of the BC stock I wisely put mine on a lesser caliber and have a recoil pad equiped std MC Ultra Hunter on now. The subtle change in architecture and the RP make a huge difference for me, though with a contemporary look. Some chaps have put the Limbsaver RP on their BC, generally after they get a chip out at the buttplate top or toe where they are the weakest, and retain most of the traditional look. And some just use the slip-on Limbsaver too.
Truely, it is hard to have a load not work in the 45-70 at sporting ranges (long range target is another world).
I have used up to mid-level class 2 loads, though they are getting stout in this rifle; and it will never be a 'flat shooter', so 'embrace' the trajectory and have fun!

Old Fart · « **Reply #8 on:** March 03, 2011, 03:32:17 AM »

Quote from: gcrank1 on March 03, 2011, 03:01:09 AM

And some just use the slip-on Limbsaver too.

That'd be me.
It allows for a lot more shooting with little effort putting on.
I've got to say my BC is clearly my favorite Handi.

quickdtoo · « **Reply #9 on:** March 03, 2011, 05:26:29 AM »

I went a few steps further with a small Galco slip-on for my 45-120 BC.

Tim

gcrank1 · « **Reply #10 on:** March 03, 2011, 08:04:27 AM »

To 'flatten' out a cresent B-plate on one rifle I cut various length strips from an old belt ($1 at St.Vinneys) and glued them up as a filler, then with the slip on over it everything sat right, though it was long in the 'pull'.

Ten Ring · « **Reply #11 on:** March 03, 2011, 08:15:26 AM »

gcrank1 I was thinking along the same line but was using neoprene strips. Don't know what I'm going to do since reading I will probably have to put a scope or change the front site to hit a hundred yards.
Jim

gcrank1 · « **Reply #12 on:** March 03, 2011, 09:43:37 AM »

Just find some material to space the base up a tad higher and two longer screws.
Of course, there is nothing wrong with scoping it to find out how accurate it is either

.

michstew · « **Reply #13 on:** March 03, 2011, 10:15:28 AM »

Hi. Welcome, I put a Skinner Sights peep rear on mine. Shoots good and look's GREAT. Here in snow bound Michigan, I wear a coat and the recoil is not a problem. No brain no pain! michstew

Officer2312 · « **Reply #14 on:** March 03, 2011, 02:39:46 PM »

Skinner sights, huh? I'll have to check those out. These tang sights are new to me; I'm assuming I can mount a tang sight and see over my rear sight, correct? I know the tang on my old 1885 high wall does, but it has a blade front and semi-buckhorn rear. I'm only marginally happy with the rear sight now, but given my druthers, I think I'd like to zero the rear sight for a hundred and have a tang for two hundred and beyond. I really want to get out someplace and try plugging steel way out there. I'm just really looking forward to getting some rounds loaded up to shoot it...I might even buy some of those cursed store-bought rounds just so I can get on the range!

Officer2312 · « **Reply #15 on:** April 15, 2011, 05:22:40 AM »

Is there something wrong with the sights link on the Help and FAQ page? I cant get the links to load.
I'm going to order myself the Creedmore sights, but can't remember which one it was...

Buckwheat Jack · « **Reply #16 on:** April 15, 2011, 11:03:41 AM »

Whether you need a scope depends on what size target you want to hit. I shoot a buffalo silhouette out to 200 yards with my 45-70 22" Handi and open sights. Of course any hit is a hit. I wish I had the BC barrel length!!

Winter Hawk · « **Reply #17 on:** April 16, 2011, 06:26:04 AM »

I was looking at Buckwheat's avatar, and wishing that it was possible to just click on it to see a larger image. I've wished that before - people have intriguing avatars but they are so small that you can't make out any details.

Not meaning to steal the thread, just making an observation which some computer wizzard can run with.

Back to the thread - shoot the rifle with the current sights, then decide what you need to do. Back in the '50s and '60s, scopes were pretty spendy and peep sights were considered the poor man's scope. Those who learned to shoot with the M1 and later military rifles know how well they work.

-Kees-

quickdtoo · « **Reply #18 on:** April 16, 2011, 06:58:22 AM »

Kees, you can see any member's previous posts in their profile, here's BW Jack's thread on the rifle in his avatar.

Tim

http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,179827.msg1098866774.html#msg1098866774

quickdtoo · « **Reply #19 on:** April 16, 2011, 07:01:00 AM »

Quote from: Officer2312 on April 15, 2011, 05:22:40 AM

Is there something wrong with the sights link on the Help and FAQ page? I cant get the links to load.
I'm going to order myself the Creedmore sights, but can't remember which one it was...

What's the link name, I just checked the sight links, they all worked fine.

Tim

Mike in Virginia · « **Reply #20 on:** April 16, 2011, 11:16:27 AM »

I don't need not stinkin' recoil reducer!

Well, I sort of do need one. At the range, I just put something under my shirt or jacket that absorbs the ecoil of my BC, like a folded towel. In the woods, I don't use anything because on shot at game, the recoil is totally absent. For sights, I replaced the sillly original with a good one from Williams, which turned out to perfectly mate with the factory front, although I did purchase the Shaver inserts. At 100 yards, I'm zeroed in with more than half of the Williams sight adjustment remaining.

Mike in Virginia · « **Reply #21 on:** April 16, 2011, 11:17:41 AM »

Also, I can't find better ammo that the green box Remington 405's for my BC. Not even reloads.