H&R 45-70

[CAJUNLAWYER]

Have a line on an H&R 45-70 open sights, sling and 40 rounds of Hornaday Lever Evoloution ammo for $280. Gun by pictures seems to be in good shape.
Have no real use for it other than to have a 45-70 single shot to amke big boom. What say anyone....should I wait until I can swing a stronger #1 or # 3 or will the H&R be sufficient for my purposes

 

[Buick]

They are very nice rifles. That price is dirt cheap.
Whoops i was thinking of their older Trapdoor remakes. If its the newer break barrel style, its still nice but average price. Recoil should be right up there as the newer style is relatively lightweight.

 

[bob in texas]

Is it the long barrel Buffalo Classic ? If so that is a pretty good price.

Bob

 

[REM 3200]

Them Nutria getten' hard to kill?

 

[Drm50]

I had several of those H&R 45/70 several years ago. Couldn't give them away here in Ohio. Now since it's legal deer gun I would jump on it at $280 that's a deal. Without ammo would go for $350-$400, slap on cheap scope and $500. There is cult following on them. Say something bad about them and you get hate mail. The only problem with the H&R handi is the forend bushings are induction welded to barrel and had several come off. No break off, just come off. Looked like nothing but a little scale held them on.

 

[Jack Flash]

I'll bet it hasn't been shot much if at all. For your stated "make big boom" purposes, it should do nicely.

If you really want a Ruger #1, it might be better to keep looking and pay the price for what you really want. But the Ruger will "make big hole" in your wallet.

 

[deadin]

That Hornaday Lever Evoloution is way too hot for a Trapdoor and should kick like a mule in one of the Handi Rifles......(Might even loosen it up prematurely.) I believe that it is intended for a heavier lever action rifle..

 

[CH4]

Recoil would be a hoot! Probably why it comes with a lot of ammo.
It's all yours, I won't compete for it.

 

[vonn]

Should drt anything in Louisiana!

 

[Tubbsy]

whole thing probably weighs about 6 pounds... but id jump on it, ive got a bit of a love affair with big bore single shots though....

 

[murf205]

The recoil is a lot more than a "hoot". I had one and they kick hard enough to drain your sinuses! I sold mine and bought a Marlin 1895 Cowboy with a 26" barrel. It only kicks like a small mule. I have reduced the loads down to 1200 fps which, by the way, will still shoot through a Buick!

 

[Drm50]

The H&R has no stock design or if it has was copied from pile driver. There are a lot a them around local and most shoot Hornady LV ammo. I've seen no issues with the 45/70s. The 243 & 270 I have. Some of them were developing head space problems. I would buy the H&R play with it and flip it when you tire of it. The 223 is most common one you see around here and I know of no troubles with them. Triggers on all are same as shotgun horrible.

 

[steelslaver]

It may kill on both ends.

First 45-70 I ever shot, years ago, was one of those. Didn't weigh much, straight stock with steel butt plate. 2 of the guy's 500 gr loads were enough to satisfy me. I have a trapdoor Springfield and mild loads are fun.

 

[Tubbsy]

A lead weight in the stock does a lot to tame the recoil in my experience, have a 10 gauge sportsman that's just as pleasant to shoot 3.5" turkey loads out of as it is my 12 gauge 870....

 

[Indigo]

I have a Buffalo Classic and it is blast to shoot with a 250gr pill and 5744.

 

[Lonegle57]

I picked up a Buffalo classic so recently sold a regular 45/70 for almost twice what your price is. H&R was bought by Remington and no longer made from what I read. I handload a cast 300 grain and isnt bad recoil wise. Would go for it if I didnt have enough already.

 

[6518John]

It may kill on both ends

My love affair with H&R Single Shots began and ended within about 10 seconds. I shot one of the 10 gauge goose guns. My shoulder still hurts, 50 years later.

I would not shoot one in .22 short without flinching!

 

[brucev]

Re: OP. Giddy up and go for it! Nice light little thumper! JMHO. Sincerely. bruce.

 

[TIMETRIPPER]

Some of them were developing head space problems.

That mostly comes from flipping the action shut, one handed, as seen on TV. Much akin to the one handed, flip of the cylinder close, move also seen on TV and movies. Good for a dramatic statement, bad for either guns action and lockup.

The H&R price ain't bad. It's easily a third of the cost of a Ruger #1 or 3. Certainly a less expensive way to see if you like shooting powerhouse 45-70 loads.

John

 

[CH4]

The recoil is a lot more than a "hoot". I had one and they kick hard enough to drain your sinuses! I sold mine and bought a Marlin 1895 Cowboy with a 26" barrel. It only kicks like a small mule. I have reduced the loads down to 1200 fps which, by the way, will still shoot through a Buick!

I was showing my sensitive side.
I've had a couple 1895s. A great platform for the .45-70

 

[bulletslap]

That is a good price.


Purchase it if any of the following apply:

A You are a handloader

B You are a masochist

Now one in 45 Colt would be just right !

 

[gregintenn]

Jump on it. They do not make them anymore, and they are getting hard to find.

 

[Chukar60]

I am betting the recoil would border on self abuse.
The #3 won't be much better.
I have a #1 in 30-06 and it is the hardest recoiling 06 I have ever shot.
I would wait and buy one of the Sharps replicas. They weigh enough to absorb a good deal of the recoil.

 

[BB57]

I love my .45-70 Sharps reproduction, even with modern .45-70 loads. However, it's a 13 pound rifle.

The lighter, shorter 10 pound Billy Dixon Sharps repro .45-70s are also comfortable to shoot, partly due to weight and partly due to barrel length and weight and stock design.

However, the H&R 1871 Handi Rifle in .45-70 is a 7 pound rifle with a poor fitting stock and no enough weight up front, that likes to beat you to death.

----

Price wise, when you can find them in stock on-line, they sell for around $270. You'll save some shipping if it's a local purchase, but at $280 for a used gun, the price isn't a deal, even with the included ammo.

 

[murf205]

Cajunlawyer, if you handload your ammo, you can load Unique and 300 gr cast bullets to about 1000fps and it wont hurt you. That's just a little stiffer than a 45 Colt. I don't know the exact charge weight of powder but Ill bet someone here does.

 

[Buford57]

At one point I had both a #3 in .45-70 and a 12ga magnum H&R. There are more pleasurable forms of masochism.

 

[jrd1976]

The single shot H&R rifles have too much recoil.

I vote for the Marlin Guide Gun with 3X9 Nikon BDC scope.

 

[ACORN]

500 gr. loads out of my 1875 C Sharps are stimulating.
I'd not want to shoot them out of an H&R. Not that there's anything
wrong with the gun. Just a little light.
Well maybe just shoot a round or 2 for the experience.
Years back my business partner to a bunch of customers out to test shoot a Colt Sauer in .458 mag. One guy touched one round off and handed the rifle off teary eyed. Found out the next week somehow he broke his nose.

 

[deadin]

test shoot a Colt Sauer in .458 mag.

Been there - Done that! Only in my case it was a Ruger #3 (with a steel buttplate). Results were nearly the same except I didn't break anything except my pride.
I knew it was going to kick so I stood up for the first shot.....
Not too bad.... Sat down for the next one..... Big Mistake !!!
Luckily it wasn't my gun, so I could just give it back and didn't have to sell it ''

 

[REM 3200]

Have a line on an H&R 45-70 open sights, sling and 40 rounds of Hornaday Lever Evoloution ammo for $280. Gun by pictures seems to be in good shape.
Have no real use for it other than to have a 45-70 single shot to amke big boom. What say anyone....should I wait until I can swing a stronger #1 or # 3 or will the H&R be sufficient for my purposes

Caj, dat make you a good punt gun.