which book

[hiram]

I have seen several books for sale online for the trapdoor springfield. More than one claim to be the 'bible'.

Any recommendations?

[powderburnerr]

if you want to shoot it and if you want to duplicate the original arsenal loads with black. Spence Wolfes book is the best , a couple things have changed since it was written , one being the drilling of primer pockets , but it has a lot in it to get you started on the right foot.

[Lead pot]

The .45-70 Springfield by AL FRASCA if you can find one. It will be pricy.

[StrawHat]

It would depend on what information you are seeking. Wolf's book is great for reloading original ballistics. Various other books get into the minutia of describing variations of the basic Springfield Single Shot rifle. Most of the information can be found on line. What are you looking for?

http://www.trapdoorcollector.com/

http://www.gun-data.com/springfield_trapdoors.html

http://milpas.cc/rifles/ZFiles/Single%20Shot%20Cartridge%20Rifles/U.S.%20SPRINGFIELD%20TRAPDOOR%20RIFLE/U.S.%20SPRINGFIELD%20TRAPDOOR%20RIFLE.htm

[Simonpie]

The Wolfe book is good for general usage and making original style loads.

"The 45-70 Springfield" by Joe Poyer and Craig Riesch has a lot of detail on model changes through the years. Because so many were parts-swapped by the military, Bannerman's and Joe public, it can take a reference to see if all your parts align to a certain era.

The "Black Powder Cartridge Rifle" series by Paul Matthews isn't trapdoor specific, but is heavy on 45-70 and would be a good start for making an accurate load. Spendy when you add up all the books though.

[montana_charlie]

The book by Spence Wolf is available at http://www.4570book.info/

Although some of the information is considered to be 'dated' due to more recent experimentation, the book is held in high regard by most BPCR shooters ... including the many who have moved beyond the Springfield Trapdoor.

CM

[StrawHat]

The book by Spence Wolf is available at http://www.4570book.info/

Although some of the information is considered to be 'dated' due to more recent experimentation, the book is held in high regard by most BPCR shooters ... including the many who have moved beyond the Springfield Trapdoor.

CM

I did not realize there was anything beyond the Springfield Trapdoor!

Wow, so much to learn!

[13Echo]

There is really nothing beyond the Trapdoor, just other rifles to shoot and master.

Get Wolfe's book. It is a rambler and not terribly well organized but it is a jewel. It will guide you to making useful loads for your rifle and show you how to use your sights. The only things I would change is the recommendations for drilling flah holes (don't, not necessary) and using magnum primers (also not necessary but still work quite well).

Jerry Liles

[montana_charlie]

... including the many who have moved beyond the Springfield Trapdoor.
I did not realize there was anything beyond the Springfield Trapdoor.
There is really nothing beyond the Trapdoor, just other rifles to shoot and master.
The Trapdoor is a muzzle loader design modified to operate with metallic cartridges. The mechanism is limited in the cartridge length it will accomodate, and must be operated in the lower pressure ranges.
What lies 'beyond' that are those designs engineered from the ground up to shoot fixed ammunition.

I can't claim to understand why someone who considers himself as 'knowledgeable' about black powder single shot rifles would pretend to be unaware of that advance in technology within the genre.

CM

[jbrower]

I can't claim to understand why someone who considers himself as 'knowledgeable' about black powder single shot rifles would pretend to be unaware of that advance in technology within the genre.

CM

I think that you need to look up Sarcasm in the dictionary and report back.

or maybe I do?

[bigted]

my my...this sounds familiar...bout every mounth for some kinda upset here bouts. the man was just lookin to find out which book to buy...should get all to make a library with but jees what a cost.

HIRAM...you still here bud? if so my favorite book would be the mathews "paper jacketed " book with the wolf book next in line. these two will get your feet wet in fine shape ...then the rest is up to you in the book dept...some of the books sold are over 100 dollars but that is for history im guessin.

really the mathews book is a smokless generated book that has a smattering of bp loading requirements and the wolf book is primarilly bp loads with a smattering of sp loads listed...good one-two books for my dollars~!!

[hiram]

AHHHHH--

We're back on track.

Thank you.