Trapdoor ?

[LIMPINGJ]

Does anyone know if the barrel on the reproduction Trapdoors is large enough where Jess could do a rebore to 50-70? I started out saving to get a Shiloh Military Carbine in 50-70 and now that I saved enough they no longer make that model. I like the looks of the Trapdoor Carbines but want a 50-70. Any other suggestions are welcome.

[varsity07840]

I don't think a rebore on a TD, repro or original is a viable option. The tapers on .45 and .50 cal
barrels are not the same with the .50 obviously having greater wall thickness. For about the same money as a Shiloh, you should be able to find a decent original 1859 or 1863 percussion Sharps converted to .50-70. There are usually a number of them on GB in varied price ranges. I bought my '63 for $1,600.00. Certainly not collector's grade, but it has a pristine bore. If you decide to go that route, I suggest that you look for one that has the 3 groove relined barrel. Quite a few retain the original 6 groove nominal .52 cal barrel which is a bit oversize for a .50-70. My 3 groove has a .515 groove depth.

Another option could be finding a .50-70 TD barreled action, cutting it down to carbine length and fitting it to a repro carbine stock. TD hardware, original or repro is easy to find but not cheap.
The last option although one that I would not endorse is to find an 1868 or 1870 .50-70 TD
and cut it down as you see fit.

Duane
Having reread my post, the .50 cal barrel is thicker overall because of the different taper. The wall thickness for both are about the same.

[ndnchf]

I don't think it is feasible to bore out a .45-70 TD to 50-70. However there are other options. As mentioned, the converted sharps carbines are not hard to find and are good shooters. I shoot a M1868 TD rifle in. 50-70 and think it is a great option too. A third option is fitting an original. 50-70 Trapdoor barreled action to a new stock. Coincidentally, I have a complete M1866 trapdoor barreled action with excellent bore that I would let go if interested. I also have a crappy cutodown M1866 stock with an excellent lock and butt plate. It is almost all the makings for a nice. 50-70 shooter. If this is something you'd be interested in, PM me. Steve

[StrawHat]

Here is the 1866 barreled action and the stock I used.

145186

I used the lock, stock and small parts from a damaged Italian Mississippi rifle and added the 50-70 barreled action. I had the barrel, the stock had a wider channel, and the breech, cut out the stock for the miscellaneous barrel parts and fit a set of sights. Authentic? Possibly not but something similar might have been fashioned from similar parts.

I like it and may do another, possibly with an English Sporter stocking.

Kevin

[LIMPINGJ]

I found a nice looking 1866 on Bill Goodman's site put when I called he said it was sold, he did have a really nice Shiloh Business Rifle so that will get me into the 50-70 club.