I really like early cartridge firearms- particularly the ones used for long range target shooting. Unfortunately, I don't really have the budget for one of those nice Sharps replicas that sell for anywhere from $1500 and up. But H&R makes a beauty they call the Buffalo Classic in .45-70. It's the same simple break open action they've been selling in various shotgun gauges and rifle calibers for decades, dressed up with a nicely sculpted stock, a globe front sight, and a rear receiver sights, and it can be had for well under $400.
Initially it was sold in .38-55 as well, but that's been discontinued. I've been looking around for a used one in either caliber, though I'd prefer the .38-55. There's not a lot of .38-55 ammunition available, but you can get brass, and with a rifle like this I'd want to shoot hand loads that simulated the 19th Century loads, either with black powder or with a modern substitute or perhaps with Trail Boss powder.
The stock sight is mounted on the receiver (older guns used a tang mounted sight) and is only good to to about 100 yards or so, according to various forums I checked, but my current club only has a 100 yard range, so it would be more than adequate. You can get as fancy with this gun as you can with the more expensive ones, and I've seen models on the web that have been highly modified, with period scopes and sights from Montana Vintage Arms that costs far more than the rifle itself. But you can also get reasonably priced accessories from other companies. Buffalo Arms, for instance, has a wide range of affordable peep sights, and period telescopic sights for under $200.
No comments:
Post a Comment