Which Old West Rifle killed the most Buffalo?

Published on May 1, 2026
Duration: 14:11

This video explores popular rifles used during the buffalo hunting era of the 1870s and 1880s, focusing on the Sharps 1874, Remington Rolling Block, and Trapdoor Springfield. The presenter discusses their historical significance, common chamberings like the .45-70, and speculates on which rifle may have been responsible for the most buffalo kills. While the Sharps is often highlighted, the video suggests that more affordable and widely available models like the Rolling Block and Springfield might have contributed more significantly to the decimation of buffalo herds.

Quick Summary

While the Sharps 1874 is often highlighted for its role in buffalo hunting, historical analysis suggests that more accessible and less expensive rifles like the Remington Rolling Block and Trapdoor Springfield may have collectively accounted for a greater number of buffalo kills due to their widespread availability among hunters.

Chapters

  1. 00:08Introduction to Buffalo Rifles
  2. 00:12Sharps 1874 Model
  3. 00:1545-70 Caliber
  4. 00:20Discussion of Buffalo Rifles
  5. 00:41Buffalo Hunting Era (1860s-1880s)
  6. 01:02Common Single-Shot Rifles
  7. 01:11Muzzle Loaders and Civil War Rifles
  8. 01:25Percussion and Early Sharps Rifles
  9. 01:32Rolling Blocks and Early Rifles
  10. 01:40Lever Guns and Wyatt Earp
  11. 01:51Winchester '73 Usage
  12. 02:02Hunting Style
  13. 02:18What We Think of as Buffalo Rifles
  14. 02:25Sponsors: Davidson's Gallery of Guns, SDI
  15. 02:44Sharps 1874 and Remington Rolling Block
  16. 03:01Trapdoor Springfield
  17. 03:06Popular Buffalo Rifles
  18. 03:14Remington Rolling Block History
  19. 03:34Remington Rolling Block Dating
  20. 03:44Rifles and Buffalo Kills
  21. 03:4745-70 Chambering
  22. 03:54Which Rifle Killed the Most Buffalo?
  23. 04:04Historical Accounts of Buffalo Rifles
  24. 04:09Comparison to Modern Deer Hunting
  25. 04:46Real History vs. Popular Perception
  26. 04:55Commonality of These Rifles
  27. 04:56The Sharps Rifle's Reputation
  28. 05:01Quigley Down Under Reference
  29. 05:08Sharps Rifle Accuracy and Reputation
  30. 05:13Professional Buffalo Hunter's Choice
  31. 05:21Sharps Calibers (.50)
  32. 05:28Sharps as the Professional's Rifle
  33. 05:39Sharps' Glory and Press
  34. 05:42Variations of Sharps Rifles
  35. 05:53Sharps Popularity Factors
  36. 06:01Sharps' Contribution to Buffalo Kills
  37. 06:05Sponsors: Alabama Holster, Renegade
  38. 06:39Availability and Cost of Rifles
  39. 06:48Rolling Blocks vs. Sharps Cost
  40. 07:00Average Guy's Firearm Choice
  41. 07:10Widely Available Firearms
  42. 07:26Rifles Likely Used for Buffalo Kills
  43. 07:33Surprise About Buffalo Kill Numbers
  44. 07:41Rolling Blocks and Springfields vs. Sharps
  45. 07:55Makes Sense: What Most People Have
  46. 08:03Modern Deer Hunting Analogy
  47. 08:37Difficulty in Definitive Answers
  48. 08:42Shooting the Rifles
  49. 08:52Shooting the Trapdoor Springfield
  50. 09:13Trapdoor Springfield as Military Rifle
  51. 09:17The 'Trapdoor' Name Mystery
  52. 09:25Shooting Adjustments
  53. 09:33Fun to Shoot
  54. 09:49Successful Shot
  55. 09:53Shooting Again
  56. 10:01Shooting at Distance
  57. 10:03Purpose of Buffalo Rifles
  58. 10:07Trapdoor Springfield Effectiveness
  59. 10:09Bullet Weights (405gr, 500gr)
  60. 10:16Remington Rolling Block Shooting
  61. 10:21Lightly Loaded Ammunition
  62. 10:26Firing the Rolling Block
  63. 10:37Successful Rolling Block Shot
  64. 10:39Remington Rolling Block Reputation
  65. 10:44Trouble-Free and Reliable
  66. 10:54Hard Hitters
  67. 10:57Firing Historical Rifles
  68. 11:0045-70 in the 1880s
  69. 11:09Historical Significance of These Rifles
  70. 11:11Decimation of Buffalo Herds
  71. 11:22Popular Rifles Involved
  72. 11:26Big Bore Rifles for Buffalo
  73. 11:35Tragic History of Buffalo Hunting
  74. 11:40US Government Encouragement of Hunting
  75. 11:52Strategy Against Native Americans
  76. 12:01Sad Times and Herd Decimation
  77. 12:06Decade of Decline
  78. 12:11Millions to Almost None
  79. 12:16Rifles Used in Buffalo Hunts
  80. 12:18Big Bore, Long Range, Hard Hitting
  81. 12:24Sharps 1874, Remington Rolling Block, Trapdoor Springfield
  82. 12:30Muzzle Loaders and Other Options
  83. 12:34Popular Buffalo Rifles Recap
  84. 12:36Answering the Question
  85. 12:39Which Rifle Took the Most Buffalo?
  86. 12:51Uncertainty and Viewer Input
  87. 13:01Shooting for Defense
  88. 13:05Sponsors: Talon Grips, Ballistol
  89. 13:44Sponsor Websites
  90. 13:49Social Media Promotion
  91. 14:07Watch More Videos

Frequently Asked Questions

Which rifle is most associated with professional buffalo hunters in the Old West?

The Sharps 1874 rifle is often considered the quintessential rifle for professional buffalo hunters. It was renowned for its accuracy, reliability, and powerful .45-70 caliber, making it ideal for taking down large game at long distances.

Were the Sharps 1874 rifles the most used for buffalo hunting?

While the Sharps 1874 was highly regarded, historical analysis suggests that more affordable and widely available rifles like the Remington Rolling Block and the Trapdoor Springfield may have collectively accounted for a greater number of buffalo kills due to their accessibility to the average hunter.

What caliber was commonly used in Old West buffalo rifles?

The .45-70 Government cartridge was a very popular and effective caliber for buffalo rifles during the 1870s and 1880s. This large bore round provided the necessary power and range to hunt large animals like bison.

What was the primary period of intense buffalo hunting in the US?

The most intense period of buffalo hunting, which led to the dramatic decimation of the herds, primarily occurred over a concentrated decade, roughly from the mid-1870s to the mid-1880s, rather than a longer span.

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