H&R "officer's model" trapdoor

[LongWalker]

I've wasted enough time trying to get a trapdoor up and running, so I"m just going to buy a shooter this month.  One option I'm considering is the old H&R "Officer's Model".   For purposes of GAF competition, what is the consensus on these?  How are they with BP (probably carbine loads)?

Thanks,
Jim

[Quick Fire]

I had a carbine. Didn't really appreciate BP. Other than that I loved it.

[Drydock]

I've got one, good shooter, works fine with Olde Eynesford BP, works better with 2f 777.  Locking latch can be a problem, but solutions are easy.  Reccomend you read this thread in the Single Shot Forum: https://www.cascity.com/forumhall/index.php?topic=66072.0

[DeaconKC]

I've got a Henry Single shot in 45-70 and really like it. Haven't tried it with BP but is very accurate with Accurate 5744 31.0 grains under a 300 grain lead bullet.

[Wooly Dan]

I have the H & R officers model and have shot it at national last few years. I love it. I shoot trail boss with 300 grain bullets   No problem knocking down targets. I have loaded BP and like the trail boss better. Will say I may go to BP just because I can't get the trail boss and it will not be available for another year. If you find the right load this is a fun gun to shoot.  Good luck. 

[smoke]

I've got one.  An older H&R.  I love mine.  I will have to say that the Vernier sight is not the best.  Looks cool and with my front sight that has been slightly built up, it is a good shooter.

Get one and you won't be sorry.

[St. George]

Mine has an original 'Rifle' rear sight and a checkered walnut pistol grip - basically the Model 1875 - and uses smokeless as well as 'Trail Boss'.

Scouts Out!

[Dave T]

...and uses smokeless as well as 'Trail Boss'.
Scouts Out!

Last I heard Trail Boss was smokeless powder.  Am I missing something or did you mean 'black powder as well as Trail Boss'.  Inquiring minds want to know!  (smile)

Dave

[LongWalker]

 Thanks for all the replies, guys.  I'm tempermentally disinclined to shoot smokeless out of a trapdoor, but the smokeless comments were interesting--I'm wondering if the rifling form is a factor in folks' results?

Heading out today to hit some local shops.  Planned for as last month but I had to take the Covid detour. 

[St. George]

H&R designed them for smokeless - at that time, black powder just wasn't given thought beyond muzzleloader use.

C&WAS was the instigator for the resurrection of black powder-loaded rounds.

Being big and fluffy, Trailboss works well as a cleaner powder for those who don't like the idea of clean-up involved with black powder - and to fill a case safely without using fillers.

Scouts Out!

[Pitspitr]

I'm tempermentally disinclined to shoot smokeless out of a trapdoor, but the smokeless comments were interesting--I'm wondering if the rifling form is a factor in folks' results?

I normally only shoot Black Powder through my trapdoors, but the H&R is an exception. I never tried BP in it because looking at the rifling in it I never believed it would be successful. However; after reading Drydock's comments I'm thinking I should give it a try. It would be a good excuse to get it out again. I haven't shot it since it was repaired after it developed the ability to auto-eject. It was a lot faster to shoot as an auto-ejector, but it was rather disconcerting having the empty cases fly past your ear. 

[Drydock]

The 8 groove rifling H&R used is more sensitive to fouling than the originals 3 groove,  but with a good bullet design and soft fouling powder like OE or Swiss can be made to work just fine.

[LongWalker]

I don't recall ever putting much more than ~100 BP rounds through a trapdoor in an afternoon, but bore fouling wasn't an issue.  I don't recall ever trying that with a modern rifle--sounds like I might want to stick with an antique.

I visited 2 gun shops and 3 pawn shops today; no trapdoors.  For that matter, no single shots or BP cartridge guns, and no primers or percussion caps. . . .  One more pawn shop, and maybe a gun shop, to check before I go with Gbroker or see what Mr. Frasca might have.  I've got 45-70 brass and dies, bullets (and a mould, but still packed up from the move), so I should be set once I find a rifle.

[LongWalker]

To follow-up yesterday's post: after visiting my last "local" sources, I took the Gunbroker route.  I HATE trying to judge bore condition from pictures, but did the best I could.  There will be some minor stuff to work on, but should have it shooting shortly after arrival.

So now I wait. . . .

[Drydock]

Almost everything I've gotten off GB cleaned up a lot better than the pictures looked.  I don't know why these folks don't realize that a simple patch to swab out 50+ years of dust and wool fuzz from sitting in the coat closet helps a LOT!.

[Pitspitr]

Almost everything I've gotten off GB cleaned up a lot better than the pictures looked.  I don't know why these folks don't realize that a simple patch to swab out 50+ years of dust and wool fuzz from sitting in the coat closet helps a LOT!.

SHUSH. DON'T TELL PEOPLE THAT! It'll mess up the market for us.

I just bought a modern Remington muzzleloader and it got here yesterday. It looked good in the pictures. It looks almost unfired in person ( or in gun...you know what I mean  )

[Jack Wagon]

I found my trapdoor sporter at Dixie Gun Works, mailed it right to the house. Jw

[Pitspitr]

WOW that's beautiful

[LongWalker]

Rifle arrived, relatively safely--looks ok even if the hammer spur was sticking out the side of the box.  Refinished, traces of cartouches on the wood, metal painted black.  Not sure what they were thinking there....  Details to follow after some cleanup.

[Drydock]

Look forward to seeing it.