H&R Officer's Model Trapdoor Loads?

[Patrick Henry Brown]

I'm expecting delivery of an H&R Officer's Model Trapdoor in the next day or so. It is unfired, but that will pass shortly. Does anyone here have any idea what the twist rate is on these? Also, I have two molds on hand in .458, the Lee 500 gr. Spire Point and the Lee 340 gr. RNFP. My 405 HB Lee Mold is junk after only a couple hundred rounds, so it isn't an option. I figure with the 340 I would use a lube cookie or such. I have on hand Goex 2FG and Pinnacle 3Fg and 777 2FG. If any of you have pet loads that work well in your H&R Trapdoors, I'd appreciate a PM with the data.

Also, any hints or things to watch for would be appreciated. I've heard about the breechblock popping open on some H&R's. I know there was a solution, but cannot seem to locate a definitive description of the repair online. Thanks.

Preacher Clint

[Drydock]

http://www.the45-70book.com/The-Book-3rd-Edition-by-Spence-Pat-Wolf

[Marshal Deadwood]

I'm not too hot on those alumnum Lee molds. They seem to case different after a few hundred rounds. They start casting bullets that are WAY out of round,,as compared to the first ones cast from the same mold. Had this happen twice with Lee molds. Could it be 'warping' of the aluminum block ? Any other ideas if that's not it ?

I've replaced anything I was molding with aluminum with a bullet chocie in steel molds.

Lee did replace one,,took about 3 months to get another.  I documented the process/deterioation of the second one carefully and there is no doubt it started casting 'way out of round' bullets after about 100 or so round. I ain't sending it back again,,don't want another alluminum one anyways.

Cheap is as cheap does.

MD