need 500 grn bullets for my trapdoor

[Tater Pickens]

I have been getting bullets from Buffalo Arms and Montana Bullet Works for my 1884 trapdoor. The bullet I have been using and my rifle seems to like is dropped from the saeco 1881 mold, which I understand is closest to the old original 500m grn bullet for my rifle.

Buffalo Arms won't have any more until july11 and MBW is out of commission 'til early June. Black Dawge advertises a 500 grn 45 cal bullet but shows no picture or any specs on mold used. Have any of you trapdoor shooters ever used this bullet from Black Dawge? Or do you know of any other sources?

Thanks,

Tater Pickens

[Trailrider]

Well, if you cast your own, you might try the Lyman #457125 mould.

[Tater Pickens]

I don't cast my own. That's why I am looking to buy some.

  Powder Inc tells me there bullet is "a magna engineering 4 lube groove,500 grn, FP, BB,sized to .458, lubed with SPG.

I am a neophyte at this and don't know what BB stands for.

Any body famililar with this bullet? Is it close to the Saeco 1881.

Thanks,

Tater

[Trailrider]

BB usually stands for bevel base.

[litl rooster]

Did you call Dave at Montana Bullett Works? I have had good luck with his product

[pony express]

I don't think the bullet from Powder inc will be very similar to the origional bullet. If you're duplicating the origional Trapdoor load, you'll probably have to seat the bullet far out of the case to get 70 gr powder, probably end up with at least a couple of the lube grooves exposed.

[Ranch 13]

www.cheycast.com

[Tater Pickens]

Thanks for your input fellows.

Montana Bullet Works is temporarily shut down for personal family reasons I believe so I just may wait for him to start up again, as I have had good luck with his bullets, or I may give Chey Cast a try.

Thanks again,

Tater

[Curley Cole]

Old Top shoots an original Trapdoor 45/70, and I shoot a Buffalo Classic also in 45/70. we both use a 405gr bullet from AVR (Apple Valley Reloaders.) has been working very well for both us.

curley

[dangerranger]

I dont know if your still in need But I shoot a 405 gr hollow base bullet that is very close to the millitary load for the trap door carbines and later the rifles. In my trapdoor it shoots best with soft lead [ up to 1 in 30 ] in My Bufalo Clasic it wants hard cast bullets. The harder the better. The differance I believe is that the BC has a Marlin Micro Groove barrel. The mold I use is a Lee 459-405 HB. At under $20 the mold has paid for itself many times over. DR