Buffalo HR classic 45-70

D

David L

Regular
Rating - 100%
227   0   0
What should I look for data: modern firearms, lever or falling blocks( hogdon)
Another way to ask is is this action ok like ruger 50000 psi

Second question what bullet for 300 yards shooting , no hunting just "long range shooting" like we can see in some competition with sharps in 45-70.
Thanks
 
I called HR a couple months ago and they said "reloads level 2", they were not in the mood to clarify, but since you'll find 3 levels in hodgdon.com, I assume they are talking about the Lever loads.
Call them, or better yet, write them and get it in writing.
 
But psi doesn't directly relate to bolt face thrust, does it? I mean 45-70 has significantly more recoil and muzzle energy than 500 S&W even though it's at lower psi.
 
The H&R Buffalo Classic 45/70 can handle modern loads. Its just your shoulder that decides how often. Winchester factory 305gr I found to be a bit punishing. I launch a 500 gr bullet out of mine at 1200 fps at a full size buffalo target at 500 yards. Reloading info found here. http://www.gmdr.com/lever/lowveldata.htm scroll down to 45/70
 
I called them, ouch that was tough! They don't know, the person told me that she wouldn't go over 36 000 cup but she say go with SAAMI and you'll be fine. What does it means really.
Saami are dimensions right? WTF?
 
Go to Hodgdons reloading site. The lever loads are 36000CUP, they should get you started although I am sure you will never load your Buffalo Classic even close to those max loads as it will punish your shoulder. I don't even like to get close to max in my 1895 marlin and it has a nice cushy recoil pad.
 
If you go to the SAAMI web site you'll find that they specify a lot of things including cartridge dimensions, chamber dimensions, and max pressure.

SAAMI specs for pressure are actually well below what Hodgdons lists for leverguns, pretty much what they list for Trapdoor rifles.

You'll find that most manuals have three load groupings. The lowest is trapdoors and original single shot rifles, next is for modern lever guns, and highest is for the Ruger #1, new Browning 1885, and strong bolt actions.

That doesn't help a lot, but it may clear up some things.

Chris.
 
Turns out I use reload data for the trapdoor rifles. I call them the powder puff loads. I have shot the cup 36000 loads but the shoulder said to stop.
Want to have some real fun get into the black powder and its a shove instead of a punch for recoil.
If I were you I'd start with trapdoor loads and progress to lever action loads. my 2 cents.
 
Thanks!
Bullets? What do you suggest? I'm waiting before ordering anything that i will be stuck with. Because I dont know them in that caliber. Like said no hunting, 300-500 yards plinking.
 
Wait, is it the same barrel locking system as the H&R handi-rifles? If so then I shoot the lever loads without issue. 300gr HP's at 2400fps kick decently but I have had no issues shooting them in a handi. Lead bullets I use the lever loads from the Lyman cast bullet handbook. I tried some of the level 3 loads once from the Hodgdon website and they popped my action open when I fired; after 2 I stopped (in case the first was a fluke) and disassembled the other 3 test rounds.
 
Hi Tigrr,
I just bought the Buffalo Classic on the EE. I've also recently bought a Pedersoli "Quigley" in .45-120
All my moulds, 4 of them are geared to the 45-120, around 520-530 grs. I have 1 mould for 405 gr boolits that drops a 425 gr'er. I would like to use my 530 gr paper patch boolit in the 45-70 but can only find data for a 500 gr'er. I noticed in a previous post that you shot 530's out of your Sharps but I don't recall you mentioning the load. I could use some advice.
Thanks,
Mike
 
LUTNIT said:
But psi doesn't directly relate to bolt face thrust, does it? I mean 45-70 has significantly more recoil and muzzle energy than 500 S&W even though it's at lower psi.
Click to expand...

45/70 base 0.505
500S&W base 0.526

if loaded to same pressures, breech thrust will ALWAYS be greater in the 500

so, if the 500 is loaded to 60k and is safe in a Handi, a 45/70 loaded to 60k will also be safe.

BUT another question becomes the brass....

another BUT; the handi fully supports the case and the case head, so the brass is pretty much taken out of the equation.

the limiting factor on Handis tends to be Your own Shoulder!
 
Shooting 55,000psi loads (300gr bullets above 2500fps) my Handi in 45-70 pops open automatically after each shot. Not really what I'd call safe. Perhaps it's the recoil that's moving the locking lug internally?

As for case head thrust what about friction caused by the case-chamber expansion? I have read that firing a Lee Enfield with oil in the chamber is really dangerous because it increases the thrust to the point of possibly blowing the bolt out. Also how much does linear recoil have to do with case head thrust? A cartridge at higher pressures always having more thrust doesn't sound right to me based on physics. I'm pretty sure a 300WM at 55,000 psi is going to have more thrust against a bolt than a 223 at 55,000psi.

Also saying that a 60,000 psi 500 S&W working in a Handi means any cartridge can operate safely at 60,000 psi in the rifle isn't really correct. What about chamber wall thickness? locking lug strength? barrel throat thickness? headspace issues?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom