Best NOE mold in Trapdoor?

[dualsport]

This sale is calling me, time is running out. Which NOE mold is likely to be best for an original Trapdoor with real black powder, accuracy wise?

[Chill Wills]

He has the 457 132 Postell copy in a few cavity options. This is a very accurate bullet for target work in the Springfield. I prefer a single cavity mould but a two, three or four cavities in a well made mould might work fine for your needs.

[Hardcast416taylor]

If you haven`t slugged the barrel to know the size of slug best suited for it, then I would do so before buying a mold that may be to small. Trapdoor barrels are know to vary in dia. some go .462" and some even larger.Robert

[dualsport]

Thanks guys. The NOE sale is so tempting but I guess I should get my horse in front of the cart first. My throat and groove dimensions are a mystery to me as I've only had the 1884 for a month or so.

[Bohica793]

NOE 460-405. Hands down. Drops at .462 or so for me.

Oh, and it does this at 200yds from my Handi Rifle 45-70..
123869

[Dale53]

dualsport;
If you are new to the Trapdoor Springfield, I can recommend an excellent book for you by Pat and Spence Wolf:

http://4570products.info/Books_c2.htm

There is a LOT of good information that isn't easily found in managing these fine rifles. I also learned a lot from these books that gave me a leg up when I first started competing with Black Powder Cartridge Rifle Silhouette. Good stuff, indeed!

Dale53

[dualsport]

Thanks guys. I decided to hold off buying a mold pending more info-I'll get the book. EDIT: I ordered the book from Mrs. Wolf. I may try a little harder to work with my Lee HB mold. I'll read the book first.

[StrawHat]

The Lee 405 HB mold can be made to work in the trapdoor. And it doesn't take that much effort. Are there better molds? Probably but the Lee can work.

[dualsport]

I have the book, even autographed by Pat Wolf. Now I see why it is so often highly recommended for Trapdoor shooters. This will keep me busy for a while.

[Dan4570]

depends on the gun. Rifle, 500 grn gov bullet. The sights are set up for that bullet, and a 70 grn powder charge.
Carbine, maybe the 500, or Lee makes the original hollow base 405 grn gov bullet.
Allso I would suggest taking in the ranges you intend to shoot at, 100 yds? what ever you can hit it with, 800 yds your back to 500 gov. w/ 70 grns of compressed FF to get the sights to work right.

Good luck

[StrawHat]

...depends on the gun. Rifle, 500 grn gov bullet. The sights are set up for that bullet, and a 70 grn powder charge.
Carbine, maybe the 500, or Lee makes the original hollow base 405 grn gov bullet...

The 500 grain bullet was introduced in 1882 so lots of rifles are sighted for the 405 grain hollow base. The carbine load, the 405 with 55 grains of powder , was used from 1873 until the end of production, approximately 1898.