Hartford period Buffalo rifle

[pacecars]

So, being the fickle gun guy that I am, ever time the wind changes directions I do too. I either buy a gun and then change or do a lot of planning and research on the web and in books and then change after I have decided. I have changed my mind again and sold a couple of rifles to pursue the next thing. I have now decided to order another Shiloh through Bill Goodman and I want this one to be a representative Buffalo rifle from the Hartford plant era. I am thinking a Hartford with standard wood and the military butt stock. 30 inch heavy octagon barrel with a semi buckhorn rear and blade front. As for caliber I really want to go with a .44-77 to be as authentic as possible. Am I way off in my thinking?

[Chief Beck]

Pacecars,

If I had the cash to do it again to be as close as possible to a early to middle years Hartford:

Wood - Standard or Semi fancy both would be $50.00 select with military butt, straight grip, Hartford pewter tip.
Barrel - #1 heavy 28" or 30" polished, Hartford collar.
Action - Bone/charcoal case colors.
Triggers - Double or single.
Screws - Fire blued.
escutcheons - Brass (steel is acceptable).
Sights - Lawrence military ladder rear and a Stephen Borud front.
Caliber - 50-70, 50-100, 44-77 BN, 44-90 BN, 40-50 BN, 40-70 BN, 40-90 BN.

Dennis

[Dennis Armistead]

I don't think you're way off, sounds like a great build. I thought about the same thing a year or so back, but decided against that caliber mainly because at the time brass was hard to get and most of my moulds were in .45 caliber. Instead I ordered a Bridgeport 14 lb bull barrel rifle in .45 2 7/8 to add to my 16 lb 50 2 1/2 buffalo rifle. Good luck on your choice.
Dennis

[Ray Newman]

RE: 44-77 Remington. Outstanding cartridge on the target range and in the field. Brass is/was hard to find. Before finalizing your order, I suggest you buy up the available brass.

[bobw]

Double down on what Ray said. No one is making 44-77 SBN right now with the proper head stamp for a reasonable cost. 45.2.9" Norma is about out of stock everywhere for the 45-2 7/8". 40 -2.5 SS is nonexistent with the correct head stamp at an affordable price. Do not order anything chambered for a not easy to get cartridge case until you have an adequate supply in hand. bobw

[BFD]

So, being the fickle gun guy that I am, ever time the wind changes directions I do too. I either buy a gun and then change or do a lot of planning and research on the web and in books and then change after I have decided. I have changed my mind again and sold a couple of rifles to pursue the next thing. I have now decided to order another Shiloh through Bill Goodman and I want this one to be a representative Buffalo rifle from the Hartford plant era. I am thinking a Hartford with standard wood and the military butt stock. 30 inch heavy octagon barrel with a semi buckhorn rear and blade front. As for caliber I really want to go with a .44-77 to be as authentic as possible. Am I way off in my thinking?

Yes, you are off. You need a .50-90

[Kurt]

IMG_3233 2.jpeg

Here is my .44-77 Hartford. I had Kirk build it for a hunting rifle with a crescent buttplate and light weight barrel. The rifle weighs right at 10 Lbs. It has a Lawrence rear sight and a sight Stephen Borud made for me that looks like the original Hartford. I wanted the crescent buttplate so when shouldering it with a heavy jacket it would stay put. I could not have made a better choice for a hunting rifle and the .44 dropped two Buffalo's in fine shape and it it is a very accurate rifle.
The only draw back right now is getting cases for it. Maybe doing a search for Bell .44 basic brass might solve this problem. That was what I used before Jamison made it.
Kurt

[BFD]

Kurt. That is pretty near an ideal hunting rifle, but I wouldn't think of it as a traditional buffalo rifle since they didn't need to have light guns for that and they shot a lot and carried only a little, though it obviously serves that purpose well enough today. It would be a great elk rifle where more carrying and less shooting is in order.

[Kurt]

Brent I think that rifle is a ideal rifle for hunting or busting rocks or what ever. I would not shoot it prone to much not because of recoil but the buttplate can bite you if you don't put it in the proper place.
Recoil I son't see any difference between my .45-70 or the .40-65 for that matter, but the accuracy is much better than the .45-70's I have.
Kurt

[pacecars]

When BACO has the brass what cartridge are they made from?

[BFD]

I have no doubt that the .44-77 will shoot great.

But if I wanted a "representative" buffalo rifle it would be at last 14-18 lbs on the hoof and have a .50-90 chamber with a 30" octagon barrel. I don't know if .50=90 brass would be easier to come by, but I just think of a heavy Big Fifty as the quintessential buffalo rifle. Many years ago, when I stopped into the Shiloh shop, I saw an original on display. It took me years to get over the cold sweats and heart palpitations every time I thought about that rifle. But I still would love to have one. Just don't know what I would do with it.

[Don McDowell]

When BACO has the brass what cartridge are they made from?

BACO used to form 44-77's from 348, don't think they do that anymore as 348 brass has become extremely scarce. I see they do have 44-90 bn brass on hand, you could trim and size those down.If you could chase down some of the Jamison 43 spanish or 43 mauser brass those can easily be fired formed. There is another work around on the brass thing. Plus you never know when you might find someone that has batch of the BACO reformed 348 brass they might be willing to let go of.
I would suggest if you go with the 44-77 have them use the reamer with the 7 degree lead built into it. 30 inch standard weight barrel.
Dies a person can get by very well with a set of the Lee 43 mauser dies, and a custom M die expander from BACO.

[pete]

pacecars
I think the configuration you describe is very good. Don't forget the 50-70, it was popular for buffalo hunting too.

[BFD]

fWIW, all you .44 shooters should know that someone is trying to sell a .44-90 barrel on bpcr.net WITH brass and other accouterments. This might be your moment. Better move fast though, cuz it looks like he is going to huck it all over to ebay.

[art ruggiero]

find the brass, then order the 44/77 they shoot great and are authentic to the hartford era. art ruggiero born in hartford