H & R Buffalo Classic

S

sobo4303

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I am looking at this purchasing this rifle for the long range events for cowboy shooting. The price is right, and would have to add some creedmore rear tang sights or similar rail sights.

The caliber will be 45-70 and will be loading lead w/ gas checks.

Does anybody out there have experience with this rifle? Positive or negative?

Comments would be appreciated.

Thanks
 
I had one. It may have been only that one but it was not very accurate. That said I have had other guns that I could not get accuracy from but others could.

If you want a longer range 45/70 single, look at other options. Rolling blocks from many companies would be better options and only slightly more money. Sharps style rifles are also a good choice. Watch the EE, they come up all the time and at very attractive pricing. I wouldn't trade my C Sharps 1875 for anything.

If you want an H&R then I would recommend the SB2(standard) version. You would have a shorter barrel but you could still put a tang sight on it. And it costs about a 1/3 less. It will still do the job out to 200 yards if you do your job and presight for the various distances so that you know the adjustment to your sights.
 
Anfoman76 said:
I have one, very accurate! I installed a Pedersolli tang sight on the stock. It's very good for what you pay?
Click to expand...

Thats good to know. There is one at Chilcotin Guns that I'm currently looking at. As Al said "You just never know when you might get jumped by a buffalo".
 
I don't believe there is good provision for mounting a tang sight, not sure about accuracy. As others have said, I'd look at a C. Sharps or Shiloh Sharps, new or used, both are U.S. made and well fitted and accurate, C. Sharps feature "Badger Barrels", the best for BPCR. I also find break actions to be a pain in the a&& when shooting from the bench or cross sticks.
 
Buy it man, there a hoot to shoot.
It will hit a 500 yard target regularly if you do your part. I launch unsized Lee mold #90577- 500 grain bullet(no gc) at 1200 fps with IMR700X. That bullet has a BC of .443
Its a smile maker!!
 
I have two - one in 45-70 and one on 45-90. A good starter gun to see if you want to stick with the cowboy side events. You can mount a tang sight on the stock using inserts like this thread suggests:

http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php?t=585068

brass-threaded-inserts-3604-BI.jpg
 
I recently bought a Winchester Highwall in 45/70 (Davidson special) and with Leverevolution ammo right out of the box I got a 1in group at 100m. First shot was within 1/2in of the target cross centre. Let a couple of other guys shoot it with same results. Love them falling blocks.
 
Guys, come on! He's looking at a gun that sells for a bit over $400, and everyone is telling him that a bit more money will get something better. Really? What can be had that compares to the Buff Classic, that doesn't sell for at least 3x its price?

I've got a C.Sharps, and it is a bit (a small bit) better shooting, and way better finished...but it's, what, about $2600 today? Ubertis seem to start at a minimum of $1100+ and Pedersolis go up from there. Jeez, a set of long-range sights for the C.Sharps cost more than the entire Buff Classic rifle, which comes with workable sights.

Sobo, get yourself a Buff Classic, slap on the Williams upgraded receiver sight with target knobs and fiddle around with the front sight to find the best insert for your taste, and have a great time. You will love it. I have two, one with that Williams sight and another with a period-style scope, and I think that they are a fantastic value for the money.

I don't think that I would want to mount a tang sight onto the wood stock (the gun has no tang as such), but that looks like another option. Either way, have fun and good luck.

John
 
I had one, liked it fine. But I found that I don't really care to shoot without optics, so I sold it. Never had a problem hitting the gongs at the range, so accuracy of the rifle was at least as good as my shooting skills with the peep sights allowed.
 
"Tang" sights mounted to inserts in a wooden stock are suspect at best. They are prone to inaccuracy as the stock can twist slightly on the stock bolt. You don't have that problem with a rifle that has a tang.

If the H&R was even a shade close to as good as the Shiloh, C. Sharps or Pedersoli then you'd see guys that are serious target shooters using them. As it stands, no serious BPCR shooter uses them, likely because you need something that will hold 1-2 MOA out to 500 yards in order to compete. But there's probably nothing to that.
 
Of course, top grade competitors need to use top grade equipment, in shooting or any other sport. Just as certainly, top-grade equipment costs an arm and a leg, and is usually far past the point of diminishing returns in terms of performance capability per dollar spent.

No one suggests that the BC exceeds, or even equals, the above-mentioned fine firearms. I do suggest that it is, for a relatively tiny cash outlay, an outstanding entry into long range primitive shooting. If Sobo moves forward into that world, he can always sell it and advance the state of his equipment, or just keep it as a spare or hunting rifle. If he just dabbles casually in the sport, it might well serve him permanently. It has no downside.

So what distances are shot in cowbay action long range? I would bet that they are shorter than BPCR, and that a fair number of BC's are seen on the line...or no?

John
 
jjohnwm said:
Guys, come on! He's looking at a gun that sells for a bit over $400, and everyone is telling him that a bit more money will get something better. Really? What can be had that compares to the Buff Classic, that doesn't sell for at least 3x its price?

John
Click to expand...

I've been following this thread, because I've been interested in the buffalo classic in 45/70 for some time now. I check the EE threads pretty regularly, and have been wondering how I've missed those other brands that supposedly sell for a bit more than the cost of the H&R.

I have a few friends that shoot the Browning BPCR, but they go for over 5 times the price, if you can find one. I've shot those a few times, and wouldn't expect the buffalo classic to compare.
 
The original poster didn't say he was on a limited budget, and folks brought up some of the other options which the orig. poster may not have known about. Sure they are more expensive, but the orig. poster asked for opinions and some of us gave 'em. Some of the options are pretty deadly guns both in the field and on the wall, so maybe that's what he'd really like!!! I haven't spent much time with these H&R's but saw one at the shooting range that opened every time it was fired, kinda automatic-single shot....
 
BigUglyMan said:
"Tang" sights mounted to inserts in a wooden stock are suspect at best. They are prone to inaccuracy as the stock can twist slightly on the stock bolt. You don't have that problem with a rifle that has a tang.

If the H&R was even a shade close to as good as the Shiloh, C. Sharps or Pedersoli then you'd see guys that are serious target shooters using them. As it stands, no serious BPCR shooter uses them, likely because you need something that will hold 1-2 MOA out to 500 yards in order to compete. But there's probably nothing to that.
Click to expand...

With mine(mounted to the stock) I can group tighter at 200 yrds off hand than a lot of guys can with optics of a bench :D. never had a problem with poi change. I fully agree it's not a Sharps or Perdersoli but it's also not a tomato stake. YMMV
 
Thanks all for the reply.

No, I am not on a limited budget, but I have been there/done that with choosing the "best on the market", paying for it, and not really liking it.

I enjoy long range shooting with my other rifles and intend to try it out. If I don't like, then I will sell and minimize my loss. If I like it, then I can upgrade later if the need arises.

I am also a musician and was taught a very important lesson early on. You see, a guitar player can have "all the best" and still be lousy. I met a guy whom was a fantastic picker, and his unique sound was obtained on a starter $200 Squire. If I can hit the gong at 400 yards, that's all that counts!

Thanks again.:D
 
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