50-70 loads for Trap-door

[macvcallsign]

Just picked up a nice Springfield Trapdoor Rifle and would like some suggestions for BP loads. It is in Excellent shape with a very good bore. Also found some starline brass(35 unfired) and a set of brand new Lyman dies for $40.00!! That made my day. Anyway, any thoughts would be greatly welcomed.

[georgewxxx]

One of the first places to go is check out my article on this URL...Geo

http://hgmould.gunloads.com/casting/trapdoorspringfield.htm

[45nut]

Great writing George.

I plan to load for my 50-70 using a near case full of trail boss and a 515141 in the new starline brass.
I have other 50's here so the 50-70 Trapdoor was a natural.

[13Echo]

I have an 1868 with a pretty good bore. It will shoot the Lee version of the 450gr gvt bullet which casts about .516" but not the otherwise identical Lyman version which casts about .514". My load is 65gs FFg Goex compressed enough to allow seating the bullet with a firm crimp over the front band in Starline brass with a Rem 9 1/2 primer. Bullet diameter appears to be very important in getting these rifles to shoot. Also the rifling twist is very very slow with 1 turn in 48". Don't expect the rifle to stabilize a bullet much heavier or longer than the original 450gr version. The sights are not the best for older eyes but the rifles are a definate hoot to shoot.

Jerry Liles

[Bullshop]

I have a great respect for the hunting utility of the cartridge. Dont be fooled by paper balistics and underestimate its ability to take game. I once shot a bull elk with a Sharps conversion carbine in 50/70. Range was about 30 yards, load was 60gn FG Goex with the Lyman 450. I was sitting in a trail and he was comming straight at me. I let him come until I could see elk all arround those tiny sights and felt I couldnt miss. The ball hit center of his chest and exited the back door. I looked under the cloud and saw him tip right over, he never took another step after being hit. When I opend him there was a thumb size hole through the heart, lungs, paunch, guts, and out. Couldnt have done any better with any magnum and there was no ruined meat.
BIC/BS

[rocklock]

Great article, georgewxxx.

I shoot .45-70 in a Trapdoor and .50-70 in a NY State Rolling Block.

Both tend to get you noticed at the range...

[NickSS]

I load the Lee 450 gr bullet pan lubed and as cast in my 1866 springfield. I load it with 70 gr of FFG Goex and a .030 veggi wad under the bullet. My rifle will print 3 to 4 inch groups at 100 yards with this load. You need a fat bullet of at least .515 diameter to shoot well in these rifles. The oringinal bullet had a bollow base like a minni ball and was soft lead alloy so it was less important. My rifle has a barrel that has grooves about .010 deep at the rear and .005 at the muzzle. The later Models of 1868 and 1870 had constant depth grooves about .060.

[georgewxxx]

For you guys having trouble with the older crude Springfield & Remington sights, you might get some ideas from the photo's on my putfile pictures. Haven't got a way to move the pictures around in the album, so you'll have to find the sight pictures.....Geo

http://www.putfile.com/georgewxxx/images/75938

[junkbug]

Georgewxxx;

Thanks for the links, and the tips. I may wind up ordering a Dixie sniper front sight for a 1884 Trapdoor.

I also look forward to trying some of those loads in a Shiloh carbine in 50-70. I am especially interested in the Red-Dot loads. I can try 13 grains under a Lymann 515139 just as recommended. I may drop the load 2 grains and try it under a 515141 also. These are my only 2 50 cal. molds.

I also realise that I a slight margin of safety over vintage Trapdoor, especially an 1866, but I don't want to push it. 100 yards will be my maximum range, unless I take a road trip.

Good luck all.

Sean