Bought my first Trapdoor today!

[Dick Hosmer]

Don't remember what I paid for my first, a cut-off mess of parts, when I was in high school, but I paid $75 for my second, a nice, all correct 1873 rifle, 12313, still in the collection.

[DocCasualty]

I took her out for a trial run at the range today and am very happy with her as a shooter too. I stacked two 100 yard targets on top of each other, as I've seen recommended for the battle sight, and I was just to the right of center in a nice little group with the first three shots. This was with Remington 405gr FMJ.

I'm not reloading yet but did order some of the Ultramax Cowboy loads. Any thoughts in general about how the POI will change with the Cowboy loads? I guess I'll see when it comes but was just wondering if stacking targets will be necessary or if it will be closer to battle sight aim at 100 yards.

[steved66]

I don't know specifically about the Ultramax Cowboy loads but I shoot light handloads (23 gr. Alliant 2400) with a 405 gr hollow base lead bullet and these hit 10" high at 50 yards with the battle sight. Haven't shot much at 100yds but from what I remember these light loads still hit very high. I guess you will find out soon enough.

[Mark Daiute]

I'm using 22.5 grains of 4759 under the Lee hollow based bullet and they are right on with the 1873 sight in my cadet as well as the Buffington in my 1884 and very accurate.

[DocCasualty]

Appreciate the comments and hope to eventually reload for the caliber.

I received the ammo from SGAmmo and apparently I ordered Winchester Cowboy Action LFN 405gr loads, not the Ultramax. They list the muzzle velocity @ 1150 fps. I'll take a trip to the range when I get a day off and see how it shoots.

[DocCasualty]

Finally got a chance to try out these Win Cowboy loads today. They're hitting ~ 5" high at 100 yards, compared to 15" high for the Rem 405gr FMG loads. I was almost 5" to the right today so will have to take a look at that sight to see how to adjust windage. I wasn't that far off center with the Rem loads, so I'm wondering if I have a screw loose. OK, I deserved that!