wesson @ harrington buffalo classic

[harley101]

Saw a nice looking W@H 1871 buffalo classic for $200, checkering is crisp, bluing is very good, but the buttstock is a little loose from the action.  Is this something that could be fixed by removing the plate, and trying to tighten it (I think that is how it would be done), or would it be in my interest to avoid this gun: why would that happen?   Also, on a different note, saw a H@R model 157 in 30-30 for $175, looks like a neat gun; any thoughts on these two subjects would be appreciated.
Thank You, John

[cwlongshot]

Morning,
 BOTH are REQUIRED for the handi haulics member card. 
 
Thats about average for the rifles, many have paid more some less. Good deals overall. The loose butt as long as no cracks, its simply a bolt. May need to shorten the bolt, but you will not know until you do it..Both are EASY so no worries.
 
CW

[petemi]

Good morning.  Yes, I'd grab both. 

Just take the butt plate off and take out the stock bolt.  I believe the W&H is the same as the H&R. You'll need a long extension and a 9/16 socket.  If there isn't a flat washer down there, I'd add one.  If the bolt is too long, it can either be replaced with a shorter one or spaced with flat washers.  Simple as CW says.

As far as I know, the W&H won't handle hot Ruger level loads.  Standard factory .45-70 ammo is fine.

Good luck,

Pete

[bikerbeans]

Hi,
 
I have a W&H 32" BC classic.  I removed the BC furniture and replace with a Laminate pistol grip set.  I rechambered the gun to 45-120 and have since launched many hundred rounds of 300 to 350 grain jacketed bullets at well over 2,500 fps.  I have also shot 400 grain GC lead @ 2300+fps and 525 grain postels @ 1950 fps.  Gun has handled all these round much better than I have. 
I did not shoot any ruger level loads in this gun while it was still a 45-70.  Also, on my gun the factory rim cut is a tad deep so that might be something you need to deal with.  Also had to replace the hammer spring and t-bar.  The rimcut, spring and t-bar are also problems you could have with an H&R made BC as well.
 
BB

[RPRNY]

My thoughts are that if you don't want the 157, please provide details so that II can acquire this!

[Swampman]

Saw a nice looking W@H 1871 buffalo classic for $200.00

That's about 1/2 what it would sell for here.......

[gcrank1]

Man!........are you trolling this by me just to make me drool?!!

[Blackhawker]

What are you waiting for?   

[Jimbo47]

Saw a nice looking W@H 1871 buffalo classic for $200.00

That's about 1/2 what it would sell for here.......

You wouldn't be wrong!

[wasatch]

I picked up two today from my FFL. One new in box for $327 and one from a another auction with a scope for $555. Paid that much just to get the steel trigger guard and spacer.
 
I am going to cut one down to either 24" or 26" and installing some cowboy sights. Going to shoot it in SASS Plainsman catagory.
 
I want to find another steel trigger guard and spacer to put on my .45LC Buffalo Classic. Any help locating one would be greatly appreciatted.
 
Mike

[cwlongshot]

Saw a nice looking W@H 1871 buffalo classic for $200.00

That's about 1/2 what it would sell for here.......

Just last weekend I had two diff Buff Classics in my hands $389 & $399 each. That was new guns.
CW

[Jimbo47]

Saw a nice looking W@H 1871 buffalo classic for $200.00

That's about 1/2 what it would sell for here.......

Just last weekend I had two diff Buff Classics in my hands $389 & $399 each. That was new guns.
CW

Have you checked out the classifieds lately?     If you can find one for $200 jump on it!

[harley101]

RPRNY, went back today, the 157 was gone (sorry), didn't realize it was a sought after gun, just thought it looked interesting with the mannlicher stock.  Did put a hold on the W@H 1871, maybe pick it up tomorrow; maybe it's me, but there were a couple of H@R 1871's (newer) there also, the W@H looked like it was better finished, steel butt plate fitted perfectly with the stock and the wood seemed to have a better finish. Anyways I do not reload, they had some rem 405gr ( says safe to use in all guns on the box) and some hornady leverlution 300? gr which were cheaper.  Could someone steer me in the right direction as to ammo (factory) that you have had good luck with in this rifle? Sorry for the long post. Thank You for your advice, John

[Swampman]

The Remington 405s shoot great in everything I've tried them in.  A Lee loader and a box of 405 grain cast lead bullets would keep you shooting a long time.  Here's a video of the Lee Loader.  They are cheap.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3duhNVjAu6E
 

[RPRNY]

Not to worry, thanks for checking. I'm not sure that there are a vast horde of raving 157 30-30 fanatics out there but it's one that I want. Thanks for checking.

I have been very pleased with Hornady Leverevolution in my Marlin 336 30-30 Texan. Since we do not face magazine tube issues with our single shots there are other factory options for our calibers but a spire tip 300 gr bullet, provided it works well out of the W&H barrel, will likely be fairly flat a long way out and will do for any NA game so, if you don't want to take up re-loading, it may well be worth investigating how it shoots fro your rifle.

[cwlongshot]

The Remington 405s shoot great in everything I've tried them in. 

I agree, try the Remington 405's! If they shoot well in your gun, you will not need anything else. 
 
CW

[harley101]

I did buy the rifle, great price,  shoots very well, ammo expensive.  Thanks to all for your advice and help.  I do not reload, (better learn)  but my uncle does: been researching, and would like to use oregon trail lazer cast 350 grain flat nose bullets with accurate 5744 powder and get around 1400-1500fps.  Does this sound like good, fairly mild load? Trying to find out the correct amount of power loading to achieve these results.  As always any help and advice is very appreciated, John

[bikerbeans]

Hi
 
The accurate data I downloaded from their website doesn't list a lead bullet lighter than 405 grains for 5744 and the 45-70.  Below is there trapdoor data for a 405 grain lead bullet.
 
BB
 
powder       wt. grains       manufacturer   style       start load           fps               max. load       fps                max load pressure      OAL - min
                                         (Laser cast)
5744       405      LC     FP     30.6    1,468     34.0    1,600     27,800      2.550

[harley101]

Thanks Bikerbeans, I got that info from there sight and was also surprised that they don't list anything lighter than 405 grains, not sure what the starting point would be for 350 grain; sent accurate an email, hopefully they will respond.  Thanks for your info, John

[quickdtoo]

The Lee 2nd lists 5744 in their trapdoor data for a 378gr cast as 25.6gr - 28.5gr to 15.1kpsi and 1418fps, 2.565" COL.

And 27.4 - 30.5gr under the same bullet @ 28kpsi in their levergun data @ 1520fps (2.565 COL), also in their levergun data is a 350gr jacketed(2.550" COL) as 28.8gr - 32gr @27.1kpsi and 1508fps, I wouldn't hesitate to use jacketed data for cast bullets of the same weight in under <28kpsi loads which is the SAAMI spec for trapdoor rifles, as long as the bullets are sufficiently large in diameter, IE at least .001-.002" larger than the groove diameter, or as big as you can get into an unsized fired case by hand, if it drops in loose, it's likely too small, shooting undersize cast bullets can be futile. 

Tim

[harley101]

Tim, based on the information you provided, it seems 28 grains would be just about right.  Thank You, John