45/70 Springfield Trapdoor

[cpt-t]

I just inherited a 45/70 Springfield Trapdoor Rifle. In to me just fantastic conduction. It was left to me by the best Shooting Partner other than my Son, I have ever had. He left me a note with the Rifle saying He hoped that I would shoot it. Not just make a Safe Queen out of the Rifle. So I intend honor His wishes and do just that. Only one problem, I have never shot a 45/70 Springfield Trapdoor before. So any real first experiences or shooting advice would be greatly appreciated. I with be loading to start with, 35grs of IMR3031 and a 405gr Hard Cast LRNFP bullet that should produce about 1250fps to 1350fps. This load shoots very well and very comfortabley in my other 45/70`s. Thanks in advance for any help.
ken

 

[Pete D.]

I have a Trapdoor that I enjoy shooting. I use black powder loads, however.
Mine is a carbine. I use the carbine load of 55grs. of FFg and a 405 grain cast bullet. For a filler I use Puff-Lon.
Shoots very nicely.

 

[Stony]

I've shot a Trapdoor carbine for years using 34 Gr. of 3031 and the 405 gr. cast bullets. Always works well for me...mild recoil and pressure levels..

 

[Mr Woody]

Might want to get ahold of a copy of the book 'Loading Cartridges for the original 45-70 Trap Door Springfield Rifle and Carbine' by J S Wolf. Even if you want to stay with smokeless powder there is a lot of History and Information in this book that will make the trapdoor a more enjoyable experience.
http://www.4570book.info/
http://www.4570products.info/

Woody

 

[ditmo]

Great book listed. There is also a series of books by Paul A. Mathews that are good reads on black powder cartridge shooting, loading, and casting. I don't have an original trapdoor, but a reproduction. I've used IMR3031 successfully in my Trapdoor, Sharps and Highwall. I like using the holy black more though.

 

[Shanghai McCoy]

I have a repro trapdoor carbine that is fun to shoot with 55gr of 2F and a 405gr HB soft lead bullet. I have also had good accuracy with a 500gr rn over 55gr as well. I loaded them in the shorter Hornady brass. The shorter brass allowed me to seat the longer bullet and compress the load but kept the OAL short enough that it wasn't a problem in a single shot rifle.
A question for you fellows loading the 34-35gr loads of 3031. That smaller amount of powder seems like it would need a filler ?

 

[crest117]

I have 2 trapdoors that I shoot almost weekly. I load a 405 grain cast lead bullet over 32.5 grains of H4895 (NO filler). This is a mild load that gives about 1200FPS with good accuracy, will easily group within 6 inches at 100 yds. even with my 72 year old eyesight. Note, the original sights on the trapdoor are set for about 200 yds on their lowest setting and this will cause them to shoot quite high at 100 yds. The cure is to replace the front sight with a taller one. To do this, you must drive out the pin holding the front sight in place. File a new front blade to fit from a washer, a penny or whatever, (note, you will need to drill a small hole in the replacement blade for the pin). Make it a good 3/8 inch taller than the original. Then take a file to the range and cut it down until it is the correct height for 100 yds. If you intend to shoot over 200 yds you could leave it the original height. Enjoy.

 

[cpt-t]

Shanghai McCoy: Like I said I just inherited this Springfield Trapdoor, from my Old Shooting Partner and have not even shot it yet. He got me hooked shooting one of His Pedersolie Sharps in 45/70 at least 20 years ago. And I shortly thereafter bought that rifle from Him and my love affair with 45/70 Rifles took off like a Runaway Freight Train for me. And 35grs of IMR3031 and a LRNFP 405gr bullet was His favorite load for all of His 45/70`s. And so My Son and I have just used the same load. And it has always worked extremely well for both of us. I ask my Old Friend about using a filler because of the small amount powder in our cases. But He said, He had never used any type of filler in loading His 45/70`s and didn't think He needed one. And at that time He must have had 6 or 8 rifles or more in 45/70 caliber and I was convenience He was a true, all nowing 45/70 Guru. Between My Son and I we have 8 rifles in 45/70 at this time and, and this is the load we use 95% of the time for all of them. For Hunting Pigs and Deer, Plinking, Cowboy Action Shooting, and just having fun shooting with Old Friends at the range. Even as light as this load is, we have always got full penetration, side by side or end for end on any pig or deer we have ever shot with it. And we have never lost anything we have shot with it. I kind of think this load is sorta like Thor`s Hammer.
ken

 

[Shanghai McCoy]

Thanks for the input Gents.
That repro carbine of mine does not have a pinned in front sight blade so I'm kind of stuck with the high point of impact...

 

[Swampman]

You might consider using something softer than regular commercial "hard cast" bullets.

IIRC, the original bullets were fairly soft at one part tin to @ 16 or 20 parts lead with no antimony or arsenic added.

Slug your bore and try to keep your bullets a couple of thousandths larger than bore diameter.

Good luck and stay safe!