I was able to shoot a 2 year old meat buffalo with my 50-70 Roller.  I planned on using my 40-85 original Ballard Pacific but had two case separations in the last few weeks and chickened out as I did not have time to order new brass to fireform before the trip.  The Rolling Block is a #5 that I purchased with a varmint weight barrel in 250-3000 and decided to do something different with the rifle after having it 6 or 7 years.  I had JES rebore to 50-70 and Curt Hardcastle fit a new extractor.  I bought two molds from Accurate Molds, one in 450 gr and the other 510 gr.  The 510 grain mold casts a 512 gr bullet with my 16:1 alloy and was lubed with SPG Tropic.  I was shooting #5744 but switched to Re 7 for the hunt as it gave me 1350 fps and shoots about moa.  My eyes have gotten worse (going in for cataract surgery next week) and I have a 2.5x8 Leupold mounted on it.  We finally worked our way to within 100 yard of the group and waited them out until the 2 year old came clear.  Shooting of sticks I let him have it and it was obvious that he was hit.  We had to work around to get a broadside shot as he turned when he went back to the herd.  The second shot was at 77 yards and it reacted again and walked a few steps then went down on its knees.  The other buffalo were trying to get it to stand up and we went back to the side by side and drove up to chase them off.  That took some doing!  I was glad I was not on a horse!  They finally trotted off and we were able to approach to 20 yards where I shot it behind the ear for the coup de grace.  They estimated 850 pounds live weight and I got close to 300 pounds of meat, the majority burger.  Although you can't really call it a hent but more of a harvest, my heart rate got up when we were standing that close to 30 buffalo for several minutes trying to get a clear broadside shot.  Both shots were through the lungs with the first hitting part of the lower shoulder.  It was obviously sick after the first shot and even after the second shot a minute or so later it was standing with it;s head down.  The second shot had about the same effect as the first for probably a minute before it tryied to walk off and couldn't.  Follow up shots were not easy as it was never broadside and the main herd had come to withing 60 yards.  I can see why the 50 caliber was the weapon of choice for the early hunters as these animals are tough!

Picture of the buffalo once he dropped

Well done. Had the chance forty years ago, but just couldn't pull the trigger.

Thanks. Great to see a .50/70 RB still in action. That's a lot of meat!!
Spud

Neat hunt and great shooting !

Congrats all.  Not only are they hardy, but that is some of the finer eats you will sink a tooth into as well.

I just hate to sound ignorant but it fits me sometimes. My Wife’s old aerospace boss waited two plus years for a Shiloh Sharps in 45-90 then next year went on a Buffalo hunt in SD, Nebraska,  somehere and took a young dry cow. But he told me after dropping the cow, paying a hand to help skin and dress it was taken to the farm where they processed it, his request into muscle groups. Then they charged him for the meat ? Charged by the pound. Is this standard on Buffalo hunts. You pay serious pesos for the hunt then charged for your animal ?

Rick

I just want to say that my post of yesterday sounds today, when I re-read it, to be derisive. That was not my intent. If my feelings about taking a Buffalo are anything it would be jealousy as that is a dream hunt. I’ve been on my back two weeks after spine surgery so maybe it was the drugs talking. I was only a bit confused when I was told that a hunter has to pay poundage price for their game. Sorry if my shot went wide.

Rick

Nice job and story.