[SharpDog]

Are there any breech loaders available for a reasonable price. I see Cabelas has the sharps models starting at around $1400. I was looking for some for less than half of that. Anyone know of any? preferred caliber is .45-70 to .45-120. Ultra long range not necessary. I am looking for one to use for hunting and general target shooting at moderate distances. A weight between 8 - 10 lbs would be preferred, lighter is ok. Strictly accurate reproduction is not necessary. Practical features like stainless would be nice but are probably not available.

[sundance44s]

H&R makes one called a Buffalo Classic topper ...in 45/70 or 38/55 its a good rifle for a lower price ( around 350.00 ) only problem with it is the sights ..you might could live with them ...i couldn`t ..cheap plastic junk ...so i installed a set of Thompson Black powder sights on mine .....now i`m very happy with it . I hear they started off selling this gun without sights on it ... in my oppion they still do ....but for the price ...and a good shooter , barrel made by marlin ..Ballard rifleing and all ... its a good deal .

[Vermonter]

I thought I read somewhere of a percussion cap breech loader that used paper cartridges? Sounds like a good way to stay cheap.

[sundance44s]

Yep you can buy a reproduction of a SmithCarbine ..or other such that will shoot the paper cartrages ....But you won`t find them cheap .

[Phillip Allen]

Look here...I have one in 40-65 but the 45-70 is prolly the best choice and I've seen it hit reliably at 500m but with different sights

http://www.buffaloarms.com/browse.cfm/2,285.html

[Starter52]

The Ruger #1 is a modern copy of an 1880's British rifle. Better steel and better sights, but basically the same gun. There are plenty of Ruger #1 rifles in .45-70 available. Even a Ruger #3 might do.

[Phillip Allen]

an elegant choice Starter, No. 1 medium weight sporter...none better and cheaper than the Hi-walls I have to use in competition (can't use the Ruger...gotta have an exposed hammer)

It is very Hemmingway-like

[Starter52]

Thank you kindly, Philip.

I can recommend the Ruger #1 because I shoot one myself. In .45/70 I use a full case of Pyrodex RS (compressed) and a 320 gr. cast bullet.

[Gaucho Gringo]

You can get the H&R Buffalo rifle at Walmart for $315.45. http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=3138388

[bonza]

Thought about looking for an original military Remington Rolling-block? For the amount of money you're talking about spending you could pick up a real nice Argentine model that has excellent sights & is chambered for the .43 Spanish (11.15x58R) cartridge. It's such a popular caliber now that even Lee makes inexpensive reloading dies for it, & bullet moulds & pre-cast bullets are readilly available from Buffalo Arms & suchlike, as are cases too. There are other models out there, too, but most have fairly standard military-style (elevation adj. only) sights. I have a Danish model that is chambered for a .45 caliber cartridge (11.7 Danish) very similar to the .45/70 Gov't. Mine is in great shape & has a near mint bore, bought it a month or so ago at a gun show for $550. It, too, has very nice sights, rear is adjustable for elevation (& lots of it!) & the front sight is dovetailed for windage.

[arcticap]

At the last gun show I attended there was a very decent "bubba-ized" original Springfield Trapdoor .45-70 for about $400. The barrel had been trimmed about 2-3 inches and it was mated with a new replica carbine stock (even though it was still longer than carbine length), and was in very good shape. The local seller said that it was a good shooter but just not a collector's item.
H&R also made various .45-70 trapdoor replica models basically during the early 70's that can still be found at moderate prices.