H&R single shot caliber choice

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washambala

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Ive been looking at buying one of the H&R Pardner single shots for a while. My problem is that I cant figure out what caliber I want to get it in. For a while I was thinking about 12 ga and chopping the barrel, but I have a Mossberg. Then I saw the Buffalo classic version of the rifle. 45-70, Peep sights, massive barrel (30" maybe?) and supposedly one of the strongest actions around in that caliber. Finally got a chance to handle one in the store and I noticed that it has a plastic butt plate. Now, Ive never actually shot a .45-70 more than once, but I have shot my dads .450 Marlin levergun more than he has. I usually shoot about 5-10 rounds per plinking outing due to recoil. So I guess the question is, How bad would the single shot in factory .45-70 loads beat me compared to the .450 Guide gun?
 
The Buff Classic is heavy (at least as heavy as the Marlin), so the recoil is going to be a fair bit less with factory loads (with the Leverevolution rounds being closer but still noticeably less) even with a solid butt-plate (which should be steel IIRC, either way I'd swap it or add a slip-on). Handloads will get you about on par with the .450Marlin (and can even exceed it in a stout Fallingblock). It's a great cartridge, but I would highly suggest taking up handloading if you decide on this chambering.

:)
 
I definitely plan on handloading, its just not an option with my current living arrangements as they are. Maybe in the next year or so. For right now, I want a good solid rifle, besides my 10/22, to learn how to shoot accurately with. The idea is to get something thats going to force me to make every shot count. With the lil ruger, I just have too much fun to care :). With something like this, the recoil and price of ammo is going to force me to take my time. And hopefully by the time I can get a loading press, Ill be a good enough shot to see the difference.

So the recoil is going to more along the lines of .30-06 or .30-30?
 
H&R are a hit and miss (pardon the pun) a buddy of mine and me had indentical .22-250 stainless rifles, his is a great shooter, mine was all over the place even with good optics. I got rid of mine, put a cheapo scope on it and unloaded it at a pawn shop. I now stay away from cheap firearms.
 
If you're going to be shooting for accuracy and to test yourself then likely you'll be shooting fairly often from a bench rest situation. A break open action under that sort of use gets a bit unwieldy. I know because I have a TC Encore that I like otherwise.

Frankly I'd suggest you go with a bolt action that takes something plinking friendly for cost and recoil. For example something that accepts .223. The ammo is cheap and you can save the brass for when you DO get into reloading at some point.

And at a cost of only $330 for a Savage Axis complete with scope you simply can't go wrong for a budget minded introduction to a decent shooting bolt action gun.
 
So the recoil is going to more along the lines of .30-06 or .30-30?
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In the neighborhood of the '06 with Remington/Winchester loads, but a fair bit greater than either with Hornady LeveRevolution rounds. Handloads can be in the neighborhood of a .458WM, which is stout.

As much as I like the .45-70Govt., if you're gunning for the best accuracy it's probably not the best choice of cartridge. Not because it can't be accurate (my 1885 Highwall is very accurate with my handloads), but because the recoil is stout and accurate rifles in the chambering are somewhat scarce. They are perfectly fine for hunting (in which case the Marlin Guide Gun, GBL, or SBL would be my first choice), but otherwise, I'd look into a proper bolt rifle in a bottleneck like a 6.5CM or even a .30-06Spd.

:)
 
Me and scopes dont get along because of my right eye vision. and bolt guns always felt clumsy to me. The only one Ive ever really liked at all was an all original springfield 1903. I had a Savage 17hmr for a while but it just wasnt my kind of gun. Too heavy, poor fit, couldnt feel the gun go off and couldnt find the holes on a sheet up paper unless you were a foot away. sold it to buy the ruger.
 
In that case I have an odd suggestion for you...a Winchester 1895 (.30-06Spd.) or Savage 99 (several to choose from). All the versatility of a bottleneck cartridge in a lever action. That is, if you want better practical accuracy at medium ranges and beyond. Put some good sights on it and you're GTG.

:)
 
I think Im asking in the wrong place here. Im not trying to shoot quarters at 600 yards. Im looking at the .45-70 because im probably not going to be doing much shooting past 200 yards. I also want to be able to play around with how bullet drop affects shooting, get a feel for it and learn to adjust. I guess I should keep that word "accuracy" to myself next time. :)
 
In that case, you can do a whole lot worse than the .45-70Govt., one of my all time favorite cartridges. If you find the recoil too harsh (start with Rem. or Win. loads) then you can always handload (once you get set up) using Trailboss, Unique, or blackpowder for powder-puff practice loads (which will still kill most anything that walks the lower-48). No matter what I would not put a muzzle brake on it, it is louder and creates more blast, not a worthwhile trade-off IMO.

As far as the rifle, I retract my previous suggestions, that was only to get a bottleneck cartridge (which you don't need at your stated ranges) in a lever rifle. That said, the Guide Gun is in the neighborhood of the Buffalo Classic and is a nicer rifle IMO.

:)
 
A muzzle brake was never an option. Dad paid 200 bucks for one on his guide gun and it didnt make one bit of difference. Unless you have massive pressure and gas volume to work with (.50bmg), its not worth having.

its a 150 dollar difference. Both made by Remington now. Ive been hearing about quality in the marlin lineup going down. That might end up being one of the guns that I actually want to find a good used one for. Buying used does save money, but theres just something about owning a new gun (or anything else for that matter), and knowing that youre the only one whos ever used it. You know what loads have been through it. You know what that scratch half way down the barrel on the left side is from. You know that its always been cleaned properly. It just feels more personal.
 
its a 150 dollar difference. Both made by Remington now. Ive been hearing about quality in the marlin lineup going down. That might end up being one of the guns that I actually want to find a good used one for.
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That would be my suggestion, but if you want new then you're right.

:)
 
25-06 only because I get 26" barrel performance out of a package the same length at a 22" barrel bolt gun :) If they ever fine tune their accuracy and give them a good trigger I will be all over one of those.
The 45-70 version is a beast, get a GOOD recoil pad because it will knock you silly, a friend of mine has one because Mississippi allows single shot 45-70 during muzzleloader season.
 
I think Im asking in the wrong place here. Im not trying to shoot quarters at 600 yards. Im looking at the .45-70 because im probably not going to be doing much shooting past 200 yards. I also want to be able to play around with how bullet drop affects shooting, get a feel for it and learn to adjust. I guess I should keep that word "accuracy" to myself next time.
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Sounds like you would enjoy my new toy or something like it. I just recently started shooting with an old Remington rolling block rifle running .38-55 chambering in a transplanted Shiloh Sharps barrel and using a set of Pedersoli rear long range peep sight with a Lyman globe front sight. It's proving to me to be a great shooter and proof that even with lousy "old guy eyes" that I can still achieve darn nice results without a scope.

And with a muzzle velocity somewhere south of 1500 fps there's no doubt that I need to compensate for distance.
 
I know I said .308, but I guess I should be the last to tell you which one to get, check these out............
 
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H&R in 35 Whelen

I have two in 35 Whelen, I load 200 grn Hornady RN for her, 250's for me. both guns shoot great at 100 yards and are pefect handy Rifles, a 35 Whelen is a good hard hitting cartridge for just about anything.
 
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