What bullet would you use?

[The Double D]

How about some suggestions on a bullet design, weight and diameter you would use with this barrel.

Major diameter: .459
Throat diameter: .460
Twist: 1 in 22"
Rifling type:Henry 9 groove
Blackpowder cartridge

[Bigjohn]

H T BUGG 420gr PP cast from lead.

John

[Bigjohn]

7912

Example

[The Double D]

The cartridge is the Westley Richards Carbine 1 1/2 case. Bore is a bit rough and I don't care fro Paper patching. Any other idea's?

[carpetman]

rebarrel?

[Don McDowell]

Maybe just beagle a standard 405 or 500 gr government bullet , so that it comes up at .461 or better?

[kodiak1]

Lee 405Grn Hollow Base.
Have to Lube but will shoot very well.
Ken.

[The Double D]

rebarrel?

Brilliant!!

Know where I can get a replacement barrel?

http://www.fototime.com/F80F02AA0F11763/standard.jpg

[montana_charlie]

Any other idea's?
Maybe just beagle a standard 405 or 500 gr government bullet , so that it comes up at .461 or better?
If your throat is .460", a bullet of that diameter should be a good choice.

The .458 moulds from NEI seem to typically cast .460" diameter bullets when the alloy is 'soft' like 30:1 and 20:1. Bullets made of w/w should come out a tad fatter...maybe enough to measure.

With your slow-by-today's-standard 22-inch twist, you might want to stay shorter than 500 grains.

NEI has lots of designs to choose from in the .458 size.
CM

[13Echo]

1:22 twist with a groove diameter of .459 is about the same as the Springfield 45-70. Should be good for any bullet that works in a Trapdoor which means up to 500grs. I'm having very good luck with the SAECO 500 gr 881 in my Springfield.

Jerry Liles

[Don McDowell]

Jerry have you ever tried anything heavier in your Trapdoors? My neighbor Doc's 84 has shot pretty well to 1000 with both the postell, and the rcbs 530 .

[13Echo]

Don

I've tried Lyman's 457125 in my 1884 cast of 30:1 alloy. Unfortunately it would tumble. It cast .457" and I don't think it bumped up enough to properly engage the rifling. My Postel mould also casts .457" so I haven't tried it in the Springfield. I have heard others have had good luck with these bullets but, I suspect, many would not due to the difference in barrel and bullet diameters. I also suspect recent versions of the Lyman .457125 like mine are at the borderline for a 1:22 twist as it has gained weight and length over the original 1881 govt bullet. The SAECO 881, however does beautifully in my rifle and older versions of the Lyman bullets probably are excellent in the Trapdoor.

Jerry Liles

[Don McDowell]

Both my postell and the rcbs drop bullets at .459, but that ol trapdoor seems to not really get upset if its bullets are .457 either. Its a pretty amiable and honest ol rifle.