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Thread: 45-70 Trapdoor

  1. #1
    Boolit Man KnotRight's Avatar
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    Dec 2014
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    45-70 Trapdoor

    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?

  2. #2
    Boolit Grand Master
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    I'm partial to 3031 but, of late, have been using RL-7. 4198 works pretty good, too.

  3. #3
    Boolit Grand Master

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    Olde Ensford or Swiss 1 1/2F black powder

  4. #4
    In Remembrance Reverend Al's Avatar
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    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 ...
    I may have passed my "Best Before" date, but I haven't reached my "Expiry" date!

  5. #5
    Boolit Man KnotRight's Avatar
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    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,

  6. #6
    Boolit Mold
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    Jul 2016
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    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.

  7. #7
    Boolit Master

    Johnch's Avatar
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    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
    Yea, thou I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for thou art with me; Thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me.
    And I carry a LOADED Hell Cat

  8. #8
    Boolit Master
    smokeywolf's Avatar
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    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.
    A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the People to keep and bear arms *shall not be infringed*.

    "The greatest danger to American freedom is a government that ignores the Constitution."
    - Thomas Jefferson

    "While the people have property, arms in their hands, and only a spark of noble spirit, the most corrupt Congress must be mad to form any project of tyranny."
    - Rev. Nicholas Collin, Fayetteville Gazette (N.C.), October 12, 1789

  9. #9
    Boolit Master

    pworley1's Avatar
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    I have had good results with 4198.
    NRA Benefactor Member NRA Golden Eagle

  10. #10
    Boolit Master
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    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).

    Attachment 222710

  11. #11
    Boolit Buddy
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    Mar 2011
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    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.

  12. #12
    Boolit Buddy
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    Feb 2018
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    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.

  13. #13
    Boolit Bub
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    Feb 2012
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    West Michigan, USA
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    Yup. Keep it simple. 10-12 grainz Unique.... All day long.

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Abbreviations used in Reloading

BP Bronze Point IMR Improved Military Rifle PTD Pointed
BR Bench Rest M Magnum RN Round Nose
BT Boat Tail PL Power-Lokt SP Soft Point
C Compressed Charge PR Primer SPCL Soft Point "Core-Lokt"
HP Hollow Point PSPCL Pointed Soft Point "Core Lokt" C.O.L. Cartridge Overall Length
PSP Pointed Soft Point Spz Spitzer Point SBT Spitzer Boat Tail
LRN Lead Round Nose LWC Lead Wad Cutter LSWC Lead Semi Wad Cutter
GC Gas Check