First Trapdoor experience today

[treebeard]

Acquired a M1873 trapdoor a while back  that according to serial number was made in 1874. It's a rifle with all original parts except rear
band and a original cleaning rod with the tip broken off.  Loaded up 10 rounds with mild charge of 5744 and 405gr solid base .458 cast bullets.  Not an ideal combo but managed to keep most of the rounds in Black at 100 yards.  Would like to try black powder and a hollow base bullet next. It was a fun gun to shoot .

[wildman1]

Using BP try to keep your loads at 1150 to 1165 fps with a 405 gov bullet. I have used Schuetzen, Swiss, Goex and Goex OE. if you go much past that velocity with a 405 you will spread your groups out considerably. I have shot 535's with 70 gs of Swiss 1.5 in my trapdoor. It is very accurate but I would not do it again as it is hard on the gun and equally hard on the shoulder with that metal buttplate.
  I would NOT use smokiless powder in a trapdoor, the pressure SPIKE with smokiless is very different than the pressure CURVE with BP. I know some folks use Trailboss in trapdoors for a low velocity load, however it is a very high pressure powder for the velocity you get from it. I do not know any competent gunsmith that would recommend any smokiless loads to use in an original trapdoor.
wM1

[Pitspitr]

Would like to try black powder and a hollow base bullet next.

https://www.amazon.com/Loading-cartridges-original-Springfield-carbine/dp/157579019X

I use the 405 Gr. .460 HB bullets from Buffalo Arms

[treebeard]

Thanks to Wildman1 and Pitspitr for the advice. I have some hollow base 45's on order  and have regular Goex and OldE so BP from here on.
I am thinking about trying the old carbine load of 55 gr.

[wildman1]

With OE 1.5 I use 47-48 gs with the 405 gov. Gives me about 1160 average. Swiss probably takes 51 gs to achieve the same velocity. If that charge doesn't work go up or down 2-3 gs at a time and you should be in the neighborhood.
wM1

[Drydock]

http://www.4570book.info/Home_Page.html