45-70 Trapdoor

[KnotRight]

Just picked up a 1873 Trapdoor and loaded some RL-7 and Varget with Lyman minumum loads. Found 1 pound of H4198 in back of the closet. What powder do you prefer with a lead 405 grn FP bullet?

[725]

I'm partial to 3031 but, of late, have been using RL-7. 4198 works pretty good, too.

[country gent]

Olde Ensford or Swiss 1 1/2F black powder

[Reverend Al]

I use IMR4198 with the 405 grain HB Lee bullet in mine with good success. The same load shoots even better in my Danish Rolling Block in 11.4mm ...

[KnotRight]

725, the rounds that I loaded with RL-7 (37.0) were around 1530' second. After 15 to 18 rounds I had enough. That was the starting point with the reloading data. I found that the Varget was much easier to shoot but those were only around 1260' second.
Where are you starting off with the RL-7?

Just loaded 25 with 29.0 gns of H4198. My guess it is around 1350' second.

I am not used to shooting out of such a long barrel. The other 45-70s that I have are a Marlin and Ruger #1 carbine.

SIDENOTE to thread. I was shooting high at 100 yards and even at 300. Was told that the sights that came on the Trapdoor were sighted in between 250 and 300 yards and a velocity around 1350' second. That is with the sights flat and not raised. After looking at the sight, it appears that they will range out to 2,000 yards. Am I correct?

thanks,

[Greybeard125]

If you can find it 4759 loves the 45 70 and the lee 405hb boolit. Check out j s and pat wolfs book for great info on the trapdoor.

[Johnch]

From Memory ....don't have the Lyman book handy , but I think this is a Trap Door safe load

But I like 10 gr of Unique

I use it in the BFR , Handy Rifle , Contender Pistol and a bolt action rifle I had built

Simple , easy to shoot

BUT in no way a high speed load LOL

John

[smokeywolf]

Agree with Johnch. Have shot a lot of 10 to 12 grain loads of Unique under 405 grn. boolits in an original 45-70 trapdoor.

[pworley1]

I have had good results with 4198.

[NSB]

My most accurate loads out of the 45-70 are with Rel 7 @ 32.5g and 4198 @ 32.0g. Both will shoot very, very accurately out of my High Wall. These are very mild loads, but kill deer with authority. Easy on my end. Groups were shot at a measured 114 yards (my deck to berm).

222710

[Greg G]

Nice shooting NSB. Would you mind sharing more details? Curious about the boolit. I have an 1886 Winchester coming and am trying to figure out a mold.

[shortlegs]

13 grs unique in my trapdoor. Damp 100 yd berm had BIG boolit impact holes in it. Easy on the shoulder. Around 1200 fps in 32" barrel.

[oldlongbeard]

Yup. Keep it simple. 10-12 grainz Unique.... All day long.