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Shooting my newest oldest gun!

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Hypnogator

Hypnogator

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Joined
Dec 29, 2002
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AZ, WA
Got to shoot my newest acquisition yesterday, an 1884 Springfield Trapdoor. It has a rifle-length barrel with a new (repro) carbine stock. Metal all in good shape. After three shots from the sandbags, found it shoots just fine. Easily hit man-sized target at 100 yds right off the bat! :cool:

SpringfieldTest.jpg

SpringfieldFiring.jpg

SpringfieldRecoil.jpg

SpringfieldCloseup.jpg
 
That is a cool old rifle, even has the old style rear sight. I like it................
 
Uhh...What's the deal with the string and bags???
Were you afraid it might actually blow up in your face??
 
Uhh...What's the deal with the string and bags???
Were you afraid it might actually blow up in your face??
Click to expand...

Exactly! It was advertised that it "locks up tight" but I'm not familiar enough with the Trapdoor action to feel really good about having it right in front of my face the first time I touched it off! Turned out fine, though. :cool:

FWIW, the loads were Black Hills Cowboy Action Loads that were advertised as mild, throwing the 405-gr slug at 1250 FPS. And so it proved. Recoil was surprisingly light.

I didn't really check for a group, but I hit a 2' X 3' piece of plywood target backing at 100 yds every time I fired it. :D:D:D
 
You did right. I do the same with any unknown provenance firearm I acquire, better safe that permanently sorry.
 
It's great fun shooting these old ones that more "lob a hunk 'o lead" than the new laser like stuff that sizzles along at a jillion FPS.... :D

I've noticed that todays regular 45-70 is rated more for the lever guide guns than the old trapdoors. If you don't get into reloading your own ammo shortly be sure you watch for the stuff which is rated for the comparatively weaker trapdoor actions.
 
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