Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Express Rifles and Big Bores Only H&R 1871 Buffalo Classic 45-70

Who has one? Pros and cons? Tips or suggestions. Range reports. Any other thoughts or comments?

my dad wants one bad! Thinking of getting him one for fathers day.

I've always wanted one of those too for some unexplainable reason. Just think they're kinda cool.

I have had one for a few years now. The thing shoots good, but forget the heavier loads most guys seem to think they need to improve on the old 45-70 round. With its dropped stock and steel butt plate, it kicks like a LARGE ANGRY mule. It is a very accurate rifle, balances well. My favourite load is a 405 homecast bullet at 1250 -1300 fps, and it is minute of empty shotshell accurate. Mild recoil, and boringly accurate.

Have also developed a load with 350 gr Hornady FP and H4198 that shoots really nicely. RL-7 also a good powder. With Winchester factory 300 HP' and iron sights, it was shooting cloverleafs at 50 yards. Found the Williams rear sight didn't have much elevation left at 100 yards.

Over all, a very worthwhile rifle that is accurate and has a pretty fair trigger for a cheaper rifle. I really like mine.

I bought one a few years back and loaded homemade 405gn soft lead bullets over a stout load of Elephant FFg black powder. Man, talk about fun! It was reasonbly accurate using an old mauser ladder sight fitted to the barrel and was dirt cheap to shoot. Squeeze the trigger and grey smoke goes everywhere. I really enjoyed mine but just stopped playing with it after awhile and sold it.

IMO, they are a lot of fun.

Terry

I had one. Mine would put all it's shots on an 8 1/2 x 11 target at 300 yds with the peep sight supplied, Hornady factory ammo. I eventually sold it and got a Marlin XLR in 45-70. The Marlin is a keeper. The 1871 was a geat rifle also.

All interesting comments. Thanks! I'm considering purchasing one so keep those comments coming. Larry

I have a plain jane H&R handi rfle in that chamber. Lots of fun with black powder and 500 gr lead. 70gr by volume powder FFG went through a moose from left hip through and out right shoulder with a trip through 1' of spine, No bullet recovery. The handi rifle is shorter so I suspect handier in the thick stuff.

I have no experience with the big brother's Buffler but he says he will rectify that.

Randy

@medicman: I would think you are right. Wonder what the recoil difference is between the short and long barrels? I have looked at both side by side and happen to like the looks of the buffalo classic. My local dealer has a super nice used one that is, realistically, 95%. He's asking half the price of new. How can I go wrong?

You cannot!

Snap it up, man. You'll not be disappointed.

Randy,

We need to schedule another range day this summer sometime. Think you'll like the Buffler Classic with my Trail Boss loads.

Had one of the original "Shakiri" rifles with the plastic trigger guard and barrel band, folding brass ramrod, and birch stock. Ugliest rifle I ever saw but it would shoot cloverleafs at 50 yards with my cast 500 grain, plain base bullets launched with black powder. Shooting across our lake at a 4'x8' plywood backer with a man-sized target I learned why the buffalo hunters used the .45-70. When I did my job, and cleaned the bore after five or six rounds, it would keep every round on a man target - and the lake is just shy of 1,200 yards long.

Terry

I had one I scoped it for deer hunting killed several deer all one shot kills very accurate. sold it when I quit hunting.I used smokeless powder.

I have one there great rifles with the peep sights on both ends .I have a screw up shoulder and this thing is better ther some mag an 30-06s ive shot. Also took a few deer drop them where they stood one shot one kill 100 yards both range finder same place . I shoot them horn revulation ,remingtons an winchester silver box all group great .Great father day gift

I like Trail Boss loads in this as well.

It's more accurate than I am.

Lot's of fun.

Some more good comments. I'm mostly convinced! I gather Trail Boss is a good propellent choice for loading? Last 45-70 loads I worked up were with 400 grain Speers over VV-N133.

The 400gr Speers are a heckuva good bullet, and accurate too if they will fit in your chamber. They didn't work in my Winchester 1886 ELR (Miroku). It had no throat. Had to shoot Remmy 405s crimped on the sub-caliber ogive. No bullet with any amount of full-caliber diameter outside the case would chamber. Very disappointing.

I'd buy it. They are very accurate. I like Unique or IMR-4198 under a cast lead 405. If you want factory ammo, I'd suggest the Remington 405.

Appreciating all the comments. Thinking I will check into it again today.