Springfield Trapdoor

[cdmech]

I've switch gears lately since I'm afraid to use what ammo I have left and have been shooting my 1873 Springfield Trapdoors. I bought them a few years back (one for me and one for my son) cheap because they are parts guns. But they go BANG real loud and in a great big cloud of black powder smoke that gets allot of attention at the range. I can shut the whole place down and nobody will shoot again until they all have come over to see what I got. Of course I'll let anyone who asks shoot the 140 year old rifles and they allways love it. Kicks like a mule.
I cast my own 500 grain gov't bullets and compress 70 grains of FFF Goex BP, following directions in Wolf's book. I pan lube the bullets and assemble the cartriges with a Lyman 310 hand tool and some modified dies. Cheap shooting.
Marc

[sheepherder]

Cool!!!

I was shooting the outdoor range some years back, .45 auto...Guy next to me had a cap & ball 1860 .44 Army replica revolver...He shot all 6 cylinders...I could not see the target...Or anything else downrange...Had to wait a minute for the smoke to clear before I could shoot...

Yours shoots metallic cartridges??? What caliber???

[Edward Tinker]

I used to load up very light non black powder for my 1884, shot hard and solid, lots of fun.

All trapdoors shoot metallic... Mine is original 45-70

[cdmech]

These are 45/70 also. There are earlier models that shoot a 50 caliber bullet.
Marc

[GySgt1811]

Yep. I've got an original Trapdoor from about 1883, and a bayonet and scabbard from the same era. I call her "Aurora Glory" 'cause that's what happens when you pull the trigger!

Cdmech, I'm envious. I have neither the talent nor the chutzpah to roll my own and have to rely on "store boughten" cowboy action loads to most closely duplicate the original BP load.

But, goodness, that Springfield is a mans rifle! I have to admit...if'n the poo ever hits the air handler it might be the Trapdoor that I head for the hills with.

Here's to fun shootin' and best regards,

Gunny John

[sheepherder]

Originally Posted by cdmech

I cast my own 500 grain gov't bullets and compress 70 grains of FFF Goex BP, following directions in Wolf's book. I pan lube the bullets and assemble the cartriges with a Lyman 310 hand tool and some modified dies.

Sounds like a whopper!!!

What exactly did you have to modify in the dies??? RCBS dies or other???

I bought them a few years back (one for me and one for my son) cheap because they are parts guns.

Not exactly sure what you mean by 'parts guns'...They look complete...

[cdmech]

By parts guns I mean abolutely nothing on either gun is "correct". They are assembled from the components of several models. The lockplates when I got them were Bannerman jobs and most of the hardware is wrong. One gun had a slightly bent barrel (they actually made a shovel attachment for these) and cracked stock to go with it. The bent barrel I carefully straightened and the rifle shoots no worse for it. I paid $200 apeice.
Wolf's book goes into great detail on how to load original ammo for these that will shoot accurately. Stock dies will size the cartriges for modern 45/70 barrels and bullet sizes, smaller than you need to shoot accurately. Highly recomended reading.
Marc

[rhuff]

That is awesome Marc!! I am a reloader since the 70s, but have never tried anything like that. It looks very interesting, and gratifying. At my age, I doubt that my shoulder would appreciate the recoil of that sweetie, but I would give it one try....just because.

[sheepherder]

Originally Posted by rhuff

That is awesome Marc!! I am a reloader since the 70s, but have never tried anything like that. It looks very interesting, and gratifying. At my age, I doubt that my shoulder would appreciate the recoil of that sweetie, but I would give it one try....just because.

70's reloader here too, but I'll pass on ever trying to shoot a 500 gr bullet...My HMOCC lists the 45-70 Government using 300 & 350 gr bullets...

[rhuff]

My old Lyman's 45th Ed. lists cast lead bullets from 300gr to 552gr. In jacketed bullets, 300-405gr. for the 1873 Trapdoor Springfield. These are listed for smokeless powders.....I don't think that I have any loading data in black powder.

[MikeP]

Nice setup.
Time to drag mine out.
Looking for a carbine, but they are high.
I have a bunch of brass and I mold my roundballs.
Think I have a Lee Loader for 45/70 somewheres I never got around to using.
I have a bunch of flinters and percussions I love shooting.

[wlyon]

Marc
I too roll my own for a 45-70 Browning Hi Wall. My bullets are pure lead with about 3% tin. I also use the Government mould. They are generally around 525 grains. I use a plastic hopper powder measure and a drop tube. I use standard RCBS dies. I cut my over powder wad from auto gasket material. It really is fun to shoot BP. The recoil is less than one would think. Anyway your post makes me want to go shoot. Bill

[jonnyc]

I put a Trapdoor on my Want List a number of years ago. A couple of months ago I bought a Lee Loader in .45-70. I hope it won't be too long 'til I'm making big clouds of smoke too!

[cdmech]

I use a SAECO mould for the M1881 bullet. With 20:1 alloy they drop from the mould at 502 grains and .459 dia. My Chrono clocks them at 1300 fps. and I can get a 3" group at 100 yards from one gun and 4" from the other, which is as good as my eyes will let me shoot any rifle with open sights.
I load them up following Wolf's very exacting recipe in his book "Loading Cartridges for the Original .45-70 Springfield Rifle and Carbine." They are a FULL power load and may or may not be truely wise to use in a 140 year old gun. His book also covers the 405 grain M1873 cartridge and some interesting 3 ball loads I have yet to try, as well as some others.
Of course any conversation about loading needs to include the warning "This is just what I do and have gotten away with so far. I DON"T recommend anyone else try it."
Marc