Springfield Trapdoor

cdmech · 02-12-2013, 11:21 PM

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

02-12-2013, 11:21 PM	#1
cdmech User Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 218 Thanks: 87 Thanked 134 Times in 55 Posts	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