Author Topic: Buffalo Classic 45/70 (Read 1153 times)

jack19512 · « **on:** August 06, 2006, 05:10:19 PM »

I ordered my dies, brass and bullets. They are suppose to be here Tuesday. I am anxious to see how this rifle is going to shoot. I hope I am not disappointed.

Grizz_ · « **Reply #1 on:** August 07, 2006, 04:52:42 AM »

Quote from: jack19512 on August 06, 2006, 05:10:19 PM

I ordered my dies, brass and bullets. They are suppose to be here Tuesday. I am anxious to see how this rifle is going to shoot. I hope I am not disappointed.

You surely won't be disappointed. I like mine better every time I squeeze the trigger. I can't imagine ever not having this gun; it's way more fun than I imagined.

Grizz

Oklahomabound · « **Reply #2 on:** August 07, 2006, 01:24:02 PM »

I really like it.. Fine shooting gun... was out with it last Friday, shooting sillouttes at 200 to 500 yards. Was trying different bullets and loads(50 rounds or so).... shoots fine off of the sticks.

GregP42 · « **Reply #3 on:** August 07, 2006, 03:33:16 PM »

I want to hear how you like yours, I love mine.

John Boy · « **Reply #4 on:** August 07, 2006, 06:14:01 PM »

That Buffalo Classic, ya mean my 'El Cheapo'?

Best group was 7"x3" (not MOA) using the Original Powder at 600yds with a vernier sight. Yep, sure do like it.

jack19512 · « **Reply #5 on:** August 08, 2006, 03:50:38 AM »

I didn't purchase and factory ammo when I bought the rifle although the salesman tried to sell me a box of the new revolution or evolution ammo, whatever it is called.

I plan on reloading so I am not interested in what the rifle will do with factory ammo. My brass, bullets, and dies are suppose to be delivered today so as soon as I can get some 45/70's loaded I will find out what the rifle will do.

It may take some trial and error with my reloads but as soon as I have something worthwhile to report I will post my thoughts about the rifle and hopefully some pics of some groups.

lonewolf5348 · « **Reply #6 on:** August 08, 2006, 10:13:44 AM »

I find the B.C. I have likes .460 20:1 cast bullets lyman mold 457193 .I had excellent results using IMR 3031 from 34 to 36 grains of powder,seem also 3031 is not as clean and I do find some unburn powder in the barrel.I also loaded some in BP using 62 to 70 grains of goex BP with a card wad under the bullet,the BP loads seem to shoot the best when loaded with 62 grains of powder also using a FED: mag: primer
I want to get my hands on some 4198 or Rel 7 from what I here burns a lot cleaner.

jack19512 · « **Reply #7 on:** August 08, 2006, 11:01:33 AM »

I got my reloading stuff today and loaded up 9 rounds just to get started. All of the rounds were Sierra 300 gr. FN HP bullets using IMR 4198 powder. lonewolf5348 , the 4198 is a very clean burning powder. My barrel is very clean after shooting 9 rounds. All shots were from 50 yards. I wanted to start out close just to make sure I was hitting paper. Here is the first three rounds using 33.6 grains of 4198. Notice the arrow, that is almost two holes in one. Just by accident I am sure.

Here is the second three rounds using 39.2 grains of 4198.

Here is the third three rounds using 49.9 grains of 4198.

No, there isn't anything wrong with your eyes and you don't need to go get your glasses. Not one of the last three shots hit the paper.

Anyone want to speculate why this happened? Except for the last three shots this is fine for a starting point. I will be trying different powders and bullets. Feel free to comment as long as it is helpful.

I must admit I am not particularly fond of the way you adjust the rear sight for elevation and windage.

jack19512 · « **Reply #8 on:** August 08, 2006, 11:09:18 AM »

Oh, I did forget to say OUCH

Those last three shots jarred some of my teeth loose.

quickdtoo · « **Reply #9 on:** August 08, 2006, 12:00:07 PM »

Quote from: jack19512 on August 08, 2006, 11:01:33 AM

I must admit I am not particularly fond of the way you adjust the rear sight for elevation and windage.

Now ya know why many of us have switched to the Williams FP sight!! See "Peep and Firesights" in the FAQ!!

Tim

jack19512 · « **Reply #10 on:** August 08, 2006, 12:44:31 PM »

Quote

Now ya know why many of us have switched to the Williams FP sight!! See "Peep and Firesights" in the FAQ!!

Tim

Quote

Which do you have? I liked the one with the adjustment knobs.

quickdtoo · « **Reply #11 on:** August 08, 2006, 01:33:07 PM »

The FP target...

Center Shot · « **Reply #12 on:** August 09, 2006, 01:43:12 AM »

I like the FP but find the fire sight is not the best choice for target shooting. For hunting the fire sight is probably the best choice. I use the factory sights on the BC, FP with factory Lyman 92 globe on 38-55, and FP with fire sight on 30-30. I find it makes a difference on which insert I use in the globe sights as to how good of group I can shoot.
My BC seems to like 41.2gr of 4198 with 300 gr. jacketed bullets.

jack19512 · « **Reply #13 on:** August 09, 2006, 05:46:01 PM »

I loaded some more 45/70's and will shoot them tommorrow. It's just a matter of time before I find that right load.

quickdtoo · « **Reply #14 on:** August 09, 2006, 05:57:22 PM »

Quote from: Center Shot on August 09, 2006, 01:43:12 AM

I like the FP but find the fire sight is not the best choice for target shooting.

The reference to the Peep and Firesight link was due to Jack's dislike of adjusting the WGRS rear sight, it's a PITA, not a recommendation for the firesight front. And btw, the Lee Shaver insert set is a vast improvement over the inserts that come in the 17AUG factory sight on the BC and .38-55 Target, IMO.

Tim

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

Center Shot · « **Reply #15 on:** August 10, 2006, 04:49:20 AM »

I will have to order a set. I was considering installing an Anschutz front aperture but it looks out of place on the front of these guns.
One question, is there an aperture available for the Smiths ladder? As long as I am ordering from buffalo arms I would like to install a ladder on the BC, but prefer an aperture.

quickdtoo · « **Reply #16 on:** August 10, 2006, 04:51:51 AM »

Not that I'm aware of, read my range report yesterday, I'm thinkin the same thing!!

Tim

jack19512 · « **Reply #17 on:** August 10, 2006, 01:06:13 PM »

Shot some more groups today. All were shot right at 70 yards. I shot four (3) shot groups. Here is the best group. Notice the somewhat of a flier, on all four groups I had one to do this, probably the last round.

So far the powders I have used are IMR 4198, Benchmark, H335, and IMR 4895. Although all of the last groups were pretty close the 4895 did give the tightest group. All of these groups is with a Sierra 300 gr. bullet.

The first group was shooting high so I did make a small sight adjustment and brought the remaining groups somewhat lower but as you can see still needs to come down some more. I have read that Reloader 7 is a good powder for the 45/70 but I have not been able to obtain any yet. All in all I don't think this is too bad for a guy that just about has to have a scope on his rifles because of his eyes. If I could get that last round to join the other two I would be very happy indeed.

quickdtoo · « **Reply #18 on:** August 10, 2006, 01:15:14 PM »

You're coming along just fine, good shooting!!

I hear ya on the eye thing, Jack!! I have the same problem, I'm really temped to put a scope on my .45-120 just to see what it can do just for load work up, then at least I know that the loads are good. Working up loads depending on my eyes and iron sights is really a shot in the dark!!

I had the same problem with my muzzleloader, here in Washington, scopes are not allowed, but I started mounting scopes on my inlines just for load workup, it decreased the frustration 100%!!!

Tim

jack19512 · « **Reply #19 on:** August 10, 2006, 04:51:06 PM »

Quote from: quickdtoo on August 10, 2006, 01:15:14 PM

Working up loads depending on my eyes and iron sights is really a shot in the dark!!
Tim

That is what concerned me in the beginning. I don't know if the BC can be scoped or not but it doesn't matter to me because I don't want to scope it anyway.

I plan on deer hunting with it this year and chances are a lot of the places where I hunt my shots would be 100 yards or less and I need to learn to shoot it accurately the way I plan on keeping it.

I do wish my BC had an extractor like my 223 Ultra instead of an ejector though. I am so use to shooting my 223 Ultra I forgot the BC had the ejector and when I opened her up she shot the casing right into my upper lip. I didn't forget anymore after that.

I seem to remember something in the FAQ's about converting one to the other. I will check it out and if I can convert it I will.

quickdtoo · « **Reply #20 on:** August 10, 2006, 05:31:44 PM »

It can be converted with a little grinding after disassembly with a pin punch or a nail.

The BC can be scoped, it's all drilled and tapped, I scoped one of mine, you just need a scope rail which comes with the screws. The scope and rail would be removed after you work a load up that you know is accurate, then the practice can begin with the WGRS.

Tim