how does the 457125 bullet compare to the saeco 1881 for use in trrapdoords

[Tater Pickens]

In reading Spence Wol'fs book on original loadings for the springfield trapdoor I understand that the 500 grn bullet from the saeco 1881 mould is the closest to the original   round for my 1884 trapdoor, but my supplier of that round, Montana Bullet Works has closed his doors and Buffalo Arms can't seem to get any in stock tho' they offer them on their website. I have had an order in with them for a couple of months and they still can't give me any idea as to when their supplier,  Bitterroot, will have any made up for them. They do however have in stock the 457125 525 grn bullet.

Has any one had any experience with that bullet and is it a suitable substitute for the saeco 1881? It looks about the same, difference being it has 4 lube grooves instead of 3, but I was wondering what experience any of you may have had with this bullet.

I may have to go to them if Buffalo can't fill my order for the saeco 1881's pretty soon.

Any advise or input would be appreciated.

I know there  are several bullets out there that i could use in my trapdoor but i want to shoot as close to the original used when these guns were new as i can.

Tater

[Ranch 13]

The Lyman bullet will shoot just as well , provided that it is large enough in diameter. The Saeco usually drops them a little larger.

[Drydock]

The Lyman 125 design will seat deeper in the case to cover all the lube grooves, so you'll lose about 5 grains or so of capacity.  Ask if they have the Lyman 457658 "Schmittzer" bullet.  This one has the same groove design as the 1881, but a pointed nose.  My 1884 loves this bullet.  I've also found that the 125 tends to have an undersize nose shank, and sometimes slumps when fired.  The 658 is better in this regard.

[Lucky R. K.]

The Lyman bullet will shoot just as well , provided that it is large enough in diameter. The Saeco usually drops them a little larger.

If your Trapdoor is original the bore should be bigger than today's standard .457-.458. I understand that the Saeco mould will drop a bullet with a slightly bigger diameter than the Lyman.

I shoot the Saeco in my original 1884 Trapdoor with very good results.  I have also used the Lyman Postell bullet with good results.  It casts a bit smaller in diameter than the Saeco and weighs about 525 grains with 30/1 alloy. The Saeco comes out of the mould at about 500 grains.

Lucky 

[Montana Slim]

Tater.....if you have not done so already, I recommend you first slug your bore with a chunk of pure lead. My preference is to use a hammered-out .454 roundball (oversize) so it will swedge into the lands/grooves. - You can read more on this elsewhere.

My Lyman 457125 mold is over 20 years old, casts at a hair over .459 & roughly 510 grains. I run this thru a .459 lube/sizer.
I'm running this through a Pedersoli Sharps, using genuine gunpowder, and the load has shot well in my Dad's 1884 Springfield Rifle...when he remembers to bring the rifle to visit me & has left his cartridges at home. Keep in mind results are with my mold, load & bullet alloy...which is closer to 20-1. The bullet seems to slump a bit after reaching terminal velocity.

Manufacturers periodically change their molds, so there is something of an unknown with off-the-shelf ones. If you want a perfect combination, exact to your specifications... you can get with one of the big names in custom molds & they'll make it anyway you want.

Slim

[Drydock]

Gentlemen, he wants to buy, not cast.   

[Tater Pickens]

Thanks for all your feedback guys. I appreciate it. I spoke with Buffalo Arms today and they still can't tell me when the. 459, 500 grn bullet from the saeco 1881 mould will be in stock but they did have some .458, 500 grn bullets dropped from the same saeco mould in stock, as well as some .459, 520 grn  457125's in stock, so I told them to send a box of each to see if my trapdoor likes either one of those. If so I will convert my order to which ever of those works best and is available. I have slugged my barrell on the trapdoor and get a .457 so either should work ok with a full 70 grn compressed charge of 2f Old E powder. I had used the .459 saeco 1881 from them before and it performed well but it is at  the point now that if i want to keep shooting that rifle i can't wait untold months to get my bullets.

Tater

[Ranch 13]

If your Trapdoor is original the bore should be bigger than today's standard .457-.458. I understand that the Saeco mould will drop a bullet with a slightly bigger diameter than the Lyman.

Trooper it is the finding of this courtmarshal generl order that you will be confined to latrine and stable duty, on reduced ration, until you can properly recite from the Springfiled rifle manual, the approved dimensions of the bore of the rifle and diameter of the bullet for both the carbine and rifle loads.