Quick 1886 45-90 story;
I was after a bison and thought I had missed my left handed (right eye problem) shot at about 100 yards shooting left- over African loads (450 grain Kodiak at 2150 fps). The bison began to run left to right and disappeared behind trees as I levered in another round, my guide exclaimed that the fired brass went 6 feet above my head! A little adrenalin , maybe? Pissed off, I switched the rifle to right handed and tracked the bison like a passing dove, settled in on the shoulder and shot. The bison crumpled and rolled heels over head and my guide exclaimed again - something best not printed.
This is on film, but the only part worth watching is the last few seconds.
When the animal was skinned and butchered, we learned that the bullet had
shattered both shoulders and passed on through to points unknown. We also learned that my first shot was just right laterally but high - just a couple inches below the back bone.

That night, beers and steak dinner was on me.

My first bison was also with a 45-90,a single shot Sharps 1874,a big old cast bullet going about 1500 fps,dropped it where it stood,the farmer was quite impressed

Bill73
The bullet placed where in the animal?
Bullet pass through?

I wish I had got off my duff and had a Bison hunt back when cows and young males were available as meat animals could be hunted for reasonable meat prices.
Oh well, that was then . . .

quote:

Originally posted by Bill73:
My first bison was also with a 45-90,a single shot Sharps 1874,a big old cast bullet going about 1500 fps,dropped it where it stood,the farmer was quite impressed

Now, that’s a true buffalo rifle!

Charles, you have had some wonderful adventures with that Model 1886, haven't you? I always enjoy reading about them.
I wish bison hunts were as affordable now as they were 20 years ago, when you could get a yearling meat hunt for $700. I have a .50-70 rolling block that needs to stretch its legs.

You've had a great time with that rifle but I would retire it to gentler duties because the pressure in those loads must be high as a cat's back and may be taking a toll on the action. The velocites are almost up with a .450 NE, where the case is much bigger, or a 458 Win., where the action is generally front-locking.

quote:

Originally posted by TCLouis:
Bill73
The bullet placed where in the animal?
Bullet pass through?

The shot was placed midway up the neck in front of the shoulders,I spined it,bullet was cast 30:1 & there was an exit hole,I took the same shot on another bison using a bolt action,cal 376 Steyr,bullet was 270 gr Hornady soft,the bison did fall stunned but regained his feet,we had a good chase after,mud & all,took four more shots to kill that one.

My first and last Bison both lung shots near the top of the heart at 75 and a 125 long steps with my old 450-400-3" Army/Navy double, one went 30 yards and humped up with the girls around him bumping him , then leaving and coming back again trying to get him up, not unusual with bison, the other a lone bull in the mountains, a hard stalk over and over and finaly got within 125 yards and took the shot, he took off and a second shot rolled him in a cloud of snow..an exciting hunt..Shot a couple more with my .338 win..but first and last with the double..doubt that I will ever shoot another..

Did any of these bullets hit the shoulder bones? I'm curious if the 45-70 400 - 500 grain cast bullets will break / penetrate those heavy bones.

Arkypete asked "Did any of these bullets hit the shoulder bones[/QUOTE]

CRS answered

quote:

When the animal was skinned and butchered, we learned that the bullet had shattered both shoulders and passed on through to points unknown. We also learned that my first shot was just right laterally but high - just a couple inches below the back bone.

[QUOTE]posted 20 August 2021 16:01 Hide Post

CR: You are the Pope of Lever Actions.

Winchester lever and Bison can’t get more American.

Where are you going to put all that meat.

Meat to be spread over three freezers within Dallas area family members.
I also plan to shoot a young Nilgai because we eat that too. And maybe a cow elk or red deer cow.

Just waiting for the temperatures to drop some.