Recommendation for a long range BPCR

[Big Mak]

Bigbore:
1, you will need to clean your bore often using BP, some rifle actions are easier but some 'after market' sights will make that impossible (from breech end) - I know a few ranges won't allow access to clean from the muzzle during shoots
Yep, I do that now, about every 10 shots. I'm fortunate to have a pristine bore in my lightly used trapdoor.
2, if you use the taller say 1000 yard sights, then doubtful you will be able to adjust them lower than 200 without removing the fitted rear barrel sight on some rifles just to see the front sight - that can prove difficult for hunting or shorter distance etc...so it may mean a rifle set for one purpose only...which seems what you are after anyway from your post
I have a set of 4 custom trapdoor front sights that a gunsmith/machinst buddy made me, made from titanium and using an EDM machine. You can PM me if you have a TD and are interested ($35 for set of 4) This really improved my long distance accuracy with the buffington!
3, load development is essential because most of those cals you mention are easily capable along with others but unless it's enjoyable for you to use - you'll quickly lose interest and it will become a safe queen
With the help of member Sharps45-90 (Member here and another forum), I've developed some great accurate loads in both 405 and 525 gr boolits!
4, visit some shoots, ask questions and see for yourself what people use, most will let you have a go of theirs once you chat....well, unless they use original Sharps.....best check their facial hair first before you ask...., just in case
Tough to find any of these in WA state that are BPCR
5, don't expect to neuter gnats first up at 1000 yards....it will take time - but then that's the fun bit.....
Can't wait! I may be traveling with my TD this summer and practice at my brother's ranch in Ennis, MT!

[Gunlaker]

There are some long range shoots at the Rattlesnake Mountain facility in Washington state. Last year they held a long range state match in May I believe. From what I have heard, this year will also include a midrange match.

I have not shot there myself, but I should as it's much closer to my home than any of the other matches I go to.

Chris.

[bigted]

Chris ... naa dont bother with them close shoots ... if ya dont travel 1000 miles, ya will have no chance of even placing.

[sharps4590]

You will enjoy Custer. I spent an entire day there and it wasn't enough but, I'm kinda geeky like that. While you're in the vicinity the Battle of the Rosebud with General Crook isn't far SE of there, maybe an hour?. Then there's all the 1868 fights, Fort Fetterman, The Wagon Box, The Hayfield, Battle of Tongue River and I think a couple others on the old Bozeman Trail. Shame you aren't going to be further south in Wyoming. Fort Laramie is worth the time also and a little NE of there is the Museum of the Fur Trade right outside Chadron, Nebraska then over in Pinedale is the Museum of the Mountain Man....and I better shut up, I love that stuff!!!!

From the pictures I've seen of Mak's Trapdoor I'd sure like to put eyes and hands on it.

[Big Mak]

Thanks Sharps, I'm adding some of these to my itinerary.

[KCSO]

Even the military in 1876 acknowledged that the trapdoor was not as accurate as a Sharps or Remington as the lighter barrel caused vertical dispersion. The trapdoor will get you 1/2 way. To get to the top I would either get a Remington or Sharps with a Badger barrel or a Shiloh. The calibre would have to be either 45-70 or 45-90 depending on your tolerance for recoil. The calibre choice is mostly due to a lot of the accuracy work being done already saving you some experiment. The sights will be very important and MVA with a Hadley eye cup for various lighting conditions would be the best. If you PM me I can send you pictures and data from the current Quigley winner and a couple others.

After that Range time!!!! You wil need to shoot a nd shoot and shoot for load development and trigger time. Keep records of each outing weather temp wind ect. Oh and most important a GOOD spotter.

[Big Mak]

KCSO,
Range time is 2 times a week, over 3 years now with my trapdoor. Only 100 and 200 yards though....
I've got my BP loads mastered now.
I keep records on a crono that records all of the various loads and temperature. No wind yet as our range sits in a deep mountain valley. So there is THAT, that I need to find a practice place for wind.

Still looking for a good spotter.

Do you have a recommendation of a good spotter's "Cadence" in reporting? I'm thinking of training the wife. (She's a shooter, but pistols/revolvers, not rifles)

Is it as simple as reporting as a spotter "Low left" with silhouette plinking or more than that?

[Don McDowell]

A good spotter will let you know the wind/mirage conditions, so you can make adjustment before you pull the trigger

[Gunlaker]

The best way to learn spotting is to watch others who are experienced, and practice a lot. In silhouette things can be interesting when it comes to misses. It's easy to believe that the miss happened in a different location than it did.

You definitely want to get into the idea of communicating in minutes of angle, and use the "o'clock" system. Using inches, or vague terms like "a little bit low", or "way high" is a way to drive a shooter crazy

Chris.

[Big Mak]

The best way to learn spotting is to watch others who are experienced, and practice a lot. In silhouette things can be interesting when it comes to misses. It's easy to believe that the miss happened in a different location than it did.

You definitely want to get into the idea of communicating in minutes of angle, and use the "o'clock" system. Using inches, or vague terms like "a little bit low", or "way high" is a way to drive a shooter crazy

Chris.

Boy I got a lot to learn. I guess I'll have to tag along with a competitor and learn. Anyone want to be a mentor? I'll be really good beer for the evenings!

[Lead pot]

If it's a real good heavy dark German Beer I just might make the 2000 trip to Washington to shoot with you

[country gent]

Mirage can be a very useful tool with reading wind also. Set up range flags and your spotting scope in the back yard. and watch the changes in the flags and mirage and see how they coincide.

[Gunlaker]

Country Gent it sounds like you have a bigger yard than me . That is a good idea. I like mirage and feel lost if there is none present.

Chris.

[Bent Ramrod]

You can buy or make spotting boards with pictures of your targets in a 2-MOA grid. Your spotter sees the dust puff, or hit, and puts a push pin or magnet on the picture in the same spot and shows it to you. They have them for Silhouettes and for Quigley targets.

Somebody (is it Jerry Van Wey?) makes a single set trigger for the Trapdoor. This would help the shooting, but might cut you out of the Trapdoor Class, if the match has one. Somebody else sells a Trapdoor tumbler fitted with a set screw for sear engagement. A friend put one on his rifle and it really helped. That, (I would think), would still keep you in the Trapdoor Class in a competition.

The first time I actually shot the Quigley (my first visit was rained out) there was a guy with a Trapdoor who shot the whole thing offhand, using the Buffington sight. He got the same score as me: 21 hits, and I shot five of the six targets sitting off cross sticks.

[Big Mak]

Thanks Bent. Yes, the 12 lb trigger pull takes some getting used to on the original trapdoors! I won't touch this rifle though, it's in pristine shape and not a parts gun. The previous owner did a bluing job to it thus reducing its value but the bore is pristine. I want to leave it as it thus the reason for asking about a modern Sharps.
All photos--> https://sportsdad60.smugmug.com/1873...or-45/n-gxR9F/

https://photos.smugmug.com/1873-Springfield-Trapdoor-45/n-gxR9F/i-w2jxDLN/0/L/i-w2jxDLN-L.jpg