I am interested in picking up a 45/70, but kinda limited on funds this year for another gun.
Anyone out there familiar with H&R single shot rifles.
When reloading, would one have to avoid 1895 Lever type loads with a break open?

I see there is one with a 24" barrel weighing in at 8 pounds.

Weight is actually a pound heavier than the Marlin Guide gun

The H&R will take anything the Marlin can take and then some. It can take the 3,500 ft lb Buffalo Bore load http://www.buffalobore.com/index.php...t_detail&p=151
From what I have read shooting "hot" .45-70 ammunition in the Marlins is no fun - not sure about the H&R but that extra pound can only help with the recoil and the longer barrel will max out the ballistics and make for better long-range shooting. I know I want one.

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"Had his shooting been as good as his running, he might have given a better account of himself."
James. C. Henderson

Here in Mississippi the H&R is considered a primative weapon for deer and lots of people are shooting them.

I have one and have been very pleased with it. I also have a Guide Gun and keep my loads separate. I load my H&R in the gap between the heaviest Lever Gun Loads and the lightest Ruger #1 loads and have had great success on deer out to 200 yards. Its an inexpensive thumper for sure. Most loading manuals have 3 sets of data for the 45/70 and several grains of powder between the respective levels. I was told that the H&R was stonger than my Marlin but not quite as strong as the Rugers. Lots of opinions out there and I am not recommending that you value mine any more than the others.

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The Paterfamilias of Modern Squirrel Hunting

QSMA President and Squirrel World Record Holder. 1.96 B&S

www.bulliesqsma.net

The H&R SB2 will handle 500 S&W loads, at ~60,000psi, so they'll take anything a 45/70 can dish out, safely.

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Ask me about QDMA.

But there were some problems with the 500 S&W loads as they found out later.

Upper end of Marlin loads yea, but not in the same league as a Number 1.

I was discussing this topic with the gunsmith, David White, who goes by ASSASSIN, on these pages. He explained that the only problems with 500 S&W rounds in the H&R SB2 frame have to do with the barrel being properly fitted to the action. He has built several guns in that chambering and none of them pop open after the shot, which is the problem some folks reported with their factory H&R rifles.

I would reiterate that the H&R is strong enough for the stoutest factory 45/70 loads. That's not to discount that certain handloads might be too much for it, but then you're certainly pushing the limits of the case design, itself.

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Ask me about QDMA.

There were some problems with some fact 500 S&W loads with factory rifles.

Never said the H&R would not take fact. 45-70 loads, but I did say & say correctly that the H&R is not acceptable with upper 45-70 Ruger Number 1 loads, no way no how!! It is not comparable in any way to a Ruger Number 1 in strength, thats why the H&R is not & will not be chambered in the Magnum rounds. H & R tried that once with a so-called stronger set-up & it fell on it's face, won't be tried again I am sure.

Many years ago I had a Handi rifle in 45-70, and a switch barrel in .270.
It was a well made gun, of high quality, which I consistanly loaded with reloads for Marlin levers. It handled them all, accurately!

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Chris in NH.

"some days, I wish my dogs could talk"

Yes, my brother has one & it is quite accurate with Marlin loads. I used to have a lam. stock version in 450 Marlin & it was a nice rifle.

I have the Buffalo Classic in .45-70 and with my reloads, I am getting .75" to 1.25" consistent groups at 100 yards. I'm looking to change out the rear to either a barrel mount ladder or a tang. Haven't decided which way I'm going, although I'm leaning towards the barrel ladder style. Basically if you zero it right, it's a point blank gun out to 150 or 175 yards though. I use a Limbsaver small slip on recoil pad with mine, however, because that metal buttplate really smarts with heavier loads. With FTX bullets I reload per Hornady's reloading notes for the Marlin and get great results with Reloader7, although there are several listed in their notes to choose from. I use the same exact loads for their HP interlocks also and get great results. Both are good deer bullets, but the Interlock is a little cheaper.

I purchased a Handi-rifle with synthetic stock 45-70 back in the spring.Got it from Dicks sporting goods for $240.+tax.The rifle is short and compact.Its weight is about 7 1/4 Lb and has a 22" barrel.I just shot it a bunch this evening.I shot some of my Marlin loads in it and no problems.I think the throat is very short as the Hornady 350 gr FP bullets cause a bit of a problem closing the action.I really have to slam it closed and think its due to that bullets fuller,more rounded profile.I have better luck using my cast lead 405 gr bullets.It really seems to like that bullet weight.The stout loads can really be felt in this lightweight rifle.I prefer the 405 gr bullet with about 1400 fps.I'm still working on load development.Back a few years ago a friend had a handi-rifle in 30-30.I helped sight in.It was the most accurate 30-30 I ever shot.So far I'm quite pleased with my 45-70 and think its well worth the price.

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Jus Huntin with old guns.

Thanks for the replies everyone.
Sounds like I may have to pick one up.
I was hoping I could at least get by with Marlin loads and not Trapdoor loads.

I did see one with a laminated thumbhole stock. Not sure if that is something I would want with a kicker.
Never shot a thumbhole so I have no idea of them, but it did look like it could be comfortable.

You will like the thumbhole on a kicker and they are with hot loads

I bought one in .444 early this spring. I really like it. I bought the synthetic stock with the weaver scope mount pre-installed for $290. Added a Burris Fullfield purchased new on Ebay for $150 and I am ready to go for primitive weapons season here in Louisiana. Seems to shoot very well so far. Bro-in-law has two of the .45-70's and likes them as well.

I picked up a 444 Handi earlier this spring and really like it a lot.

My friends have 45-70s and I just couldn't be the same....

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Paul

will be getting a H&R Buffalo Classic in 45-70 in few days. Shot my friends Handi-Rifle in the same cal. and just had to have a 45-70. My first rifle with finger size rounds, so when the targets look respectable will post pics of both.

Very good and fun rifles. You will probably want to get a leather lace on recoil pad for it