45-70 Trapdoor Ammo

[jwl3715]

Not perfectly suited for this forum. Couldn't find a more appropriate fit. Mods feel free to move.

I'm interested in firing my original M1884 trapdoor Springfield. I plan to have it looked over by a smith first. I have some original brass and one box of original black powder ammo. Recently found http://www.starsandstripesammo.com/index2.html who will make 45-70 Government to trapdoor pressures with black powder. Here's a couple questions.
1. Anyone have experience with this outfit for reloading services or for ammunition supply. Opinions or experiences?
2. The gent at Stars and Stripes cautioned against using the original ammo due to the age of the black powder inside. I would tend to agree. Thoughts?
3. In the event that I don't fire the original ammo, I think what I have left is a nice collector's item. I'm curious about value. Anyone see original 45-70 ammo out there at gun shows etc? What ar ethey going for?

 

[Speedo66]

No experience with that ammo, but right now www.PowderInc.com is having a sale on Goex 350g 45-70 black powder rounds, $20 box of 20.

Hard to beat that price. See it here: http://www.powderinc.com/cgi-bin/bp...ge&thispage=order_ammo.htm&ORDER_ID=316161224

 

[ants]

Sounds like a cool idea to shoot reproduction BP ammo, as long as the rifle checks out. Very cool indeed.

Wouldn't you figure to get a lot more response over in the Blackpowder Shooting subforum? As you well know, blackpowder isn't just cap-n-ball. Many of those guys know their stuff over there.

 

[jwl3715]

Good call...I'll try over there, too. Sorry about that.

Speedo - thanks for the lead on powderinc.com

 

[Afy]

The original 45-70 ammo and box is very collectable, as is the brass I suspect.
You should get new brass to shoot, and keep the original stuff.

 

[Remo-99]

The original 45-70 ammo and box is very collectable, as is the brass I suspect.
You should get new brass to shoot, and keep the original stuff.

I was thinking the same as well, why not loadup some new cases with light Trail Boss charges, if the rifle gets a clean bill of heath from a gunsmith. Just a thought.

 

[Rugg_Ed]

I would hang on to the original rounds. Vary collectable
There is quite a gather that shoot reproduction B P cartridges.
One of the top shooters is just down the road a bit.
It does sound fun.

 

[rcmodel]

Factory 405 grain lead bullet smokeless powder loads from Remington, Winchester, and Federal are perfectly safe in any trap-door Springfield deemed to be shootable & safe with black powder.

It's one way to get shootable ammo and good empty brass for reloading.

rc

 

[geo57]

Ultramax is another option for factory loaded 45-70 with a 405 lead projectile. My 45-70 has never seen a factory round. It used to be fed with 300 gr JHP's atop 52.0 grs of IMR 3031 . These days it feasts on a 405 gr. JFP atop 32.0 grs of IMR 4198 . Both loads are accurate, mild shooters and have proven to be quick whitetail stoppers.