So Now I ordered for a new H&R Buffalo Classic in 45-70 it will take about 1 month to arrive, its in the country already but customs has it yet.

WOW the price difference between Aussie and US is BIG !!!

I have to fork out AU$730 (about US$580) for something that sells about US$330 in the US.

Oh well, at least I got what I want..

I guess the ships charge lots to float it across the pond............. but it will be worth it, I'm sure.

Hey Gelandangan, nice choice on that Buffalo Classic. If I was to buy a 45-70 it would be that one. Have fun shooting and let us know how it does.

It's crazy the prices you have to pay in Australia for firearms that aren't common here. I looked into purchasing a new TC encore rifle and they want $1500 for it. Twice the cost puchased in the states. Same with extra barrels. $700 a barrel. The only way I can get it cheaper is find someone coming on a holiday from the states to Australia and get them to bring me one.

pongnukl wrote:

The only way I can get it cheaper is find someone coming on a holiday from the states to Australia and get them to bring me one.

I sincerely wish that it is as easy. It would maybe cost you a hell lot more to do it like that.

I have friends that constantly travels to the US and willing to bring anything back. BUT, the red tape to be cut through definitely discouraged me to do it.

As I mentioned earlier, I ended up ordering for a H&R Buffalo Classic, I meant I order it from NIOA, the company that imports them to Oz. I have to pay $730 for it. But then again, if I get the import permit, and import the gun myself, I would have to pay for the import permit, delivery over the pond, the licensed gundealer to handle the gun, Customs clearing for 1. imports of prohibited weapon and 2. handling of Firearms. all up cost would be in the area of $1000 plus a lot of head and heart ache. Better let NIOA to handle it

You could get some importing info at the Firearms Registry website, but you have to make sure that the Customs familiar with the type of gun you get too, otherwise, you may end up waiting over 1 year for it to be cleared.

IF I get my friend to bring it here... well.. I may loose that friend on top of the cost

I reckon it is better for us to just pay up and shut up, until the next election time that is..

Ain't it great to live in this country of ours? ...F R E E D O M....

Gelan

Unless your friend is an american citizen/permanent resident then they can't purchase firearms in the states. Where as an american coming over for a hunting holiday, they can bring over firearms to hunt with as long as they aren't restricted and they have filled in their paperwork.

Hmm That may be an idea...

I got a mate who is a gun dealer in Texas and he came over often...
Got to try it...

Thanks for the up.

Gelan

I believe that a H&R Buffalo Classic in 45-70 one year won the "Quigley" long range match here in the states. I have a Marlin Limited II in 45-70 and it is a shooter, getting 2 inch groups at 100 yards.

Welcome aboard Aubrey...you have joined in with a bunch of interesting folks and a place where no question goes unanswered. I too am a fan of the 45-70...I have the Marlin 1895. In the recent Handloader magazine they have a good discussion on 45-70 loads. Check it out.

Keep it coming...

Welcome Aubrey, drag up a stump and join in. This group is older and friendly. We have a good bit of knowledge here.

You know, it used to be that folks went to places and forgot their guns. Today you have to be carefull that you do not forget in a place where forgetting can get you into a real problem. Check the laws, it might be possible to not have to much problem if one was to forget something.
Ed

gelandangan wrote:

Gday guys. But I think you understand the philosophy of "there is never enough gun on you gun safe" syndrome. So, now I have been looking at a larger bore rifle. Basically, the gun should have easy to find cartridges ( should be stock item for most gunshops), mild to shoot (I don't want a mule), should have hunting accuracy up to 150 meters away. And most of all it got to be of a caliber larger than .40. Do you guys have any input for this? What caliber? What gun? Thanks Gelan

Gelan, you are probably going to disagree with my answer, but What For? If your rifle is to be a "safe queen", it sounds like you have a pretty good arsenal of those already.

I know, "All I want is just one more gun than I'll ever get!" Don't we all?

Now, as for calibers:
The .318 was a standard in Africa years ago, and took about everything outside of elephant, rhino and Cape Buff. It is/was a 30-06/.308 level cartridge, with somewhat wimpy loads, using heavy bullets, IIRC. You already have a .308, right?

The gentleman that suggested the 9 X 64 mm rifle was right on. It has also been extensively successful in Africa.

The old .416 Rigby is a real whalloper, but recoil is rather grim.

Like Vince said, the 45-70 can hurt at both ends, especially in a light weight rifle.

I recall in some of your earlier posts, you hint that you may be a tad recoil sensitive. I can sympathize. If you raise gun weight, recoil is felt less, but IIRC, you don't like to carry a gun that is" too heavy."

Your "over .40 bore " will either weigh a bunch, or kick the snot out of you. Maybe both.

I'd wager that is why you like your .300 Whisper so much. You can shoot it well without much punishment.

Nothing wrong with that. We shoot best what kicks us least, and that applies to anyone!

But for ammo you can buy in any outback store, and a great game rifle, have the stock of your .308 fit properly to your body size, because standard stocks are generally designed for larger persons. Maybe a custom stock? Then have a good recoil pad installed on it, and buy/load proper ammo for whatever Aussie big game you hunt.

I understand they have wild burros that are varmints, large wild pigs, and a species of water buffalo. By the time you have gained experience shooting several head of whatever is available, you will know and probably delight in your .308.

The .308 is also enough gun for a wide variety of African game, loaded with the "usual suspects", the 150, 165 or 180 gr bullets. The 7X57mm Mauser has killed 90% of what is to be had on the planet, and the .308/180gr bullet is every bit a s good as the 7mm.

Hey, this has gotten long. I gotta go. Up at 4:30 to go to work. 39 more days!


Woops! Shoulda read futher. THE GUN cometh! Anyhow, it (and you)may benefit from a stock fitting and good recoil pad. Good luck!

gelandangan wrote:

Gday guys. But I think you understand the philosophy of "there is never enough gun on you gun safe" syndrome. So, now I have been looking at a larger bore rifle. Basically, the gun should have easy to find cartridges ( should be stock item for most gunshops), mild to shoot (I don't want a mule), should have hunting accuracy up to 150 meters away. And most of all it got to be of a caliber larger than .40. Do you guys have any input for this? What caliber? What gun? Thanks Gelan

Gelan,

Why the requirement for 40 caliber and above ??

I'd get a 45-70 and shoot black powder loads if you want lighter recoil myself.

Also learning to use a sling is JUST as important as using the firearm when it comes to recoil in my opinion, if you use your sling the right way you'll feel very little recoil while shooting. You want a sling that is atleast 2 layers, and when attached to the rifle has a adjustable area to put your left arm through (assuming your right handed) and adjust it tight around your arm, or don't make it too tight so you can remove your arm easier and quicker its really up to you (I leave it alittle (just alittle) loose myself to get it on and off easier). There are MANY different types of slings out there that can do this, too many too list actually, myself I just see them all as a copy of the one true sling the M1907 leather slings so I got a leather one on my rifle.



A couple of How To Guides ( Web Sling & Leather Sling ).

Was shooting yesterday actually a 12 gauge with 2 3/4" "Magnum" Turkey #4 shells. The shotgun had a Butler Creek Quick Carry Sling which worked for this purpose pretty well in my opinion! And the difference in recoil is there. Eventhough I don't feel the recoil from a 12 gauge too much anyways I DO feel a difference and always shoot with my left arm in the loop rifles and shotguns while in pretty much any shooting position. Makes the rifle or shot gun alot more stable too which helps with hitting the target!

Dimitri

@ sniper..

I know... I know... I agree to all you say, on all count no less :-D.
Truly, it is a want not a need..
and yes it may stay in the safe most of the time too.. ha ha ha

But.. (how come there is always buts around?)
I WAAANNNTTT IT!!!


Seriously,
The idea came from when I have to sell my ParaOrdnance P14-45 back to the Government a few years ago.
I was and still am very fond of target pistol shooting and was very very keen on a match called the "Police Service Pistol Match".
I reloads for the match and practices, sometimes I have up to over 2000 rnds of loaded ammo at a time (mind you, I usually shoots about 500 rounds in a weekend)
Now when I have to surrender my pistol, I have over 2500 cases for 45ACP, and over 10 000 projectiles.
Thats because the govt will pay for the "major" parts of the gun (body, slides, mags, barrels, triggers, sights etc)
but not "minor" parts (ammo, cases, projectiles, dies, reloaders, ammo cases, speedloaders, holster, you name it) the ba5tards.

I have mentioned previously that I do not shoot long distance at animals, and with my current Power Factor reloads,
I could get to 1.5 inch (35mm) group with my Para Ordnance at 50 meters (thats about 50 yards, Bushy!) timed shot (24 rounds in 3 minutes including 4 times reloads)
I think it would be great to reuse all those cases and projectiles I got for a hunting rifle..
The group would be much better in a rifle length barrel methinks, plus with my usual hunting distances, the 45ACP would give as good as any other caliber.
So, based on the above fact, I search for a 45ACP rifle.

Would you believe, there is NO 45ACP rifle available in Australia, and only Marlin SEMIAUTO in the US.
I research some more and found that there are a few Thomson Center barrel in 45ACP but nothing else..

So, I talk to my gunsmith, and after a few weeks of discussion he convinced me to get a 45-70, based on the philosophy of " if you could not get the small one, get the big one.."

I am not in love with 45-70, I want a 45ACP rifle.
I bought a NEF buffalo classic so I could get a new barrel made in 45ACP later on (NEF extra barrel option does not cover their Australian customers)
Also, the fact that they are usually a great rifle in that caliber.

So, Why not...

Gelan

Gelan,
If the NEF is available and you can buy barrels for the NEF then your smith can make a 45ACP barrel for you.

All the smith needs is a .452 barrel blank and a NEF barrel made after 1987. Cut the NEF barrel off, ream out the chamber end, thread it, turn down the 452 barrel, thread it, screw them together and chamber for 45 ACP. A NEF 410 shotgun barrel would be great for the start, if you can find one. This in TC circles is known as the Brown conversion and was originally used to turn a 22 LR TC into a match barreled unlimited gun for small bore silhouette shooting.

As a matter of fact, with a barrel vice and extra extractors you could easily make up a set of switch barrel tubes, using one female NEF barrel part.
Ed

Hey Swampy, the problem with that is they will not sell blank barrels. I've already tried to go that route with them. I wanted a 26" barrel for .243 and they said no custom barrels and no blanks.