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Posted: 1/31/2009 7:13:51 PM EDT
Yesterday I bought a 1873 trapdoor springfield 45/70 rifle made in 1883. Any folks here have any advice on what to feed this rifle? I have read about reloading blackpowder cartridges and even some smokeless powder loads that will work safely in this old rifle. I want to take good care of this old rifle but I want to still shoot it without harming it. Back in the mid 70s I bought my first black powder rifle a 50 Hawken so I know what to do with black powder and cleaning. I guess what i want to know is what others on here prefer to shoot in these rifles and any advice you have for me that would help me enjoy this fine rifle.
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Congrats.
If it were mine I would shoot it with paper patched boolits kicked out the muzzle by black powder substitute while wearing a Quigley down under hat. Knowing that factory ammo is loaded very, Ahem "conservatively" I would grab my Quigley hat, some Remington soft points and go a huntin. But that's just me. I ain't your daddy so I won't tellya what to do. Cleaning with Windex would be a must, not for the Springfield but to wipe the $#!@ eating grin off my mug afterword. |
| Here you go. http://www.bpcr.net/ I personally would only feed it real black powder and lead bullets, you should slug the bore you might find it is bigger than .458. There is a Springfield section on the site I linked to the folks there will be happy to help. |
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Quoted:
Here you go. http://www.bpcr.net/ I personally would only feed it real black powder and lead bullets, you should slug the bore you might find it is bigger than .458. There is a Springfield section on the site I linked to the folks there will be happy to help. Would this rifle shoot well with jim shockey gold powder and lead bullets? |
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You need to use only lead/tin alloy bullets in 20 to 1 or 25 to 1 alloy ratio. No antimony and no wheel weight "mystery metal". You need to only use real black powder. I suggest "Swiss" brand for best results and easiest fouling management. You need to use bullets cast for black powder shooting with adequate grease grooves for the much larger volume of lube required when shooting black powder. You will need to use special black powder bullet lube such as that sold by Lee Shaver.
Original trapdoors were intensionally rifled with a peculiar oversized bore. So instructions for loading for, say, a Sharps or Rolling Block or any modern replica used in black powder sihouette competition won't yield satisfactory results. You need this book, and ONLY this book: Loading Cartridges for the Original .45-70 Springfield Rifle and Carbine http://www.amazon.com/Loading-Cartridges-Original-Springfield-Carbine/dp/157579019X Some other books, like Phil Spangenberger's, are great if you are shooting something with a more conventionally rifled barrel, like a Shiloh Sharps or Pedersoli Rolling Block, but they are not appropriate advice for using an original trap door Springfield. Brazos Jack |
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Quoted:
You need to use only lead/tin alloy bullets in 20 to 1 or 25 to 1 alloy ratio. No antimony and no wheel weight "mystery metal". You need to only use real black powder. I suggest "Swiss" brand for best results and easiest fouling management. You need to use bullets cast for black powder shooting with adequate grease grooves for the much larger volume of lube required when shooting black powder. You will need to use special black powder bullet lube such as that sold by Lee Shaver. Original trapdoors were intensionally rifled with a peculiar oversized bore. So instructions for loading for, say, a Sharps or Rolling Block or any modern replica used in black powder sihouette competition won't yield satisfactory results. You need this book, and ONLY this book: Loading Cartridges for the Original .45-70 Springfield Rifle and Carbine http://www.amazon.com/Loading-Cartridges-Original-Springfield-Carbine/dp/157579019X Some other books, like Phil Spangenberger's, are great if you are shooting something with a more conventionally rifled barrel, like a Shiloh Sharps or Pedersoli Rolling Block, but they are not appropriate advice for using an original trap door Springfield. Brazos Jack Thanks Brazos I will get the book. |
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