Anyone have any experience with these rifles? I have been thinking of one for at least a year, but the 32" barrel seems too long for hunting.

As to the barrel length, go and look at a picture of those rifles. There is no practially no action length. The barrel nearly begins at the trigger. With the same lenght barrels the H&R Handis are even short than falling blocks like Sharps, Highwalls and Rugers.

Really, given the diameter of the barrels the extra lenght adds some etra weight and that is a GOOD THING on a 45-70 etc.

The Handi rifle is the same thing but with a shorter barrel.

Stan in SC

I have had one for a few years now, and it is an accurate machine. You will soon find your recoil limit with the brass butt plate, but it shoots really nicely. I am getting three shot clover leafs with Winchester 300 gr HP's and a home cast 405 with AA5744 at 1300 is a tack driver -- well, more like a spike driver. Try one -- you'll be sold!

I was looking at the Hornaday Leverultion ammo.. wow.. I wonder if they sell limbsavers for that shape butt plate..lol.

The worst recoiling bullet/load I have tried is a 405 Remington FP shoved along by 55 grains of Benchmark. After the second shot, I questioned why I should continue, but I did, and it was just painfull. Have seriously thought about cutting the stock off square and mounting a grind to fit limbsaver.

Instead, I reduced the load to 50 grains of Benchmark, and shot it out of my Marlin 1895 -- much nicer - - - - well a little nicer.

You might check the Greybeard Outdoor H&R Forum. I've been mulling the same buy. H&R has the Buffalo Rifles in the 32" .45-70 with Williams peep and the 20" in .45LC. One can rent a reamer and bore the .45LC to .454 Catsul for about $30. It would make a nice little carbine and still shoot the .45LC. GunsAmerica has the .45-70 for $350 and the .45LC for $290. Good luck.

CDNN has the 45LC Carbine for $229 right now. Both might be nice..lol

I just bought one of the Classics in 45LC and just shot some semi wadcutters w and ith it as that was all I had at the time. I plan to load a 250gr XTP so my nephew can get his first deer with it. I later plan to order a .357Mag barrel and ream it to a Max. This little gun points like a extention of myself and I find my fondness growing. I think with the .357Max it may just become my ultimat "woods walker". To think a few months back I would have turned my nose up at one of these!
Doug

I ordered a 45LC saturday.. I like the looks of these cartridges for hunting. Now I need to keep an eye out for the Buffalo Classic long rifle.

.45 Colt +P 335gr. WFNGC Hardcast 50rds. $45.95



Click to enlarge
Heavy, hardcast, and hard-hitting! This is THE load for big critters using your .45 Colt. Whether you are hunting, deer, elk, moose, or just want something for protection against animals that bite back, this is the best .45 Colt load available. These loads are safe in all Ruger revolvers, TC Contender, Colt Anaconda, BFR revolvers, and Freedom Arms firearms. These loads are safe in all modern Model 1892 leverguns as well as all Winchester & Marlin 1894's. DO NOT USE IN ANY OTHER FIREARM. THESE ARE NOT STANDARD PRESSURE CARTRIDGES! Operating at 27,500PSI

Caliber : .45 Colt +P

Bullet : 335gr. WFNGC Harcast

Ballistics : 1300fps - 1258 ft./lbs. - 7.5" bbl.
1655fps from a 16.5" carbine

Box of 50rds.

I shot a bison with a BP cartridge many years ago. The Buffalo Classic is plenty accurate enough for hunting within the limits of the 45-70. I added a flip up sight, silver dollars inlaid in the stock, & a gunsmith friend adjusted the trigger & color case hardened the receiver at no charge. I use a sissy pad when I shoot at the range & shooting sticks in the field.

I have 2 freinds that have the regular Handi-rifle in 45-70. Both are accurate but, depending on the ammo used, can recoil right smartly. I have the 500 S&W Handi and have cut the stock to accomodate my LOP and I've installed a Limbsaver slip-on recoil pad. Maybe not the best looking combo but then again Handi-rifles won't win any beauty contests. However, they are very simple, accurate-enough and practical rifles, not to mention affordable.

I had a Buffalo Classic in 45.70 that had a Williams peep on it and a globe front sight. I also purchased a synthetic stock and fore end from the manufacturer to get away from the metal butt plate. But that shaved about 18 - 20 ounces off the weight and she did snort and bellow a bit. But it shot very well with cheap Remington bullets and a case full of 3031. I killed my best buck to date with that rig.

I have one an would not be with out one .Mine shoot 1.5 inch 5 rounds group. I have taken 2 deer an can tell ya this they fall quick .I shoot all kinds of loads ,the deer were taken with remington loads factory that is been thinking of scopeing this gun but just like the feel and looks as it is them peeps and globe works great