Newbie with question on .45-70 ammo for the 1884 Trapdoor Springfield

[raymeketa]

37 - 38 grains of 3031 is a good load for the 500 grain bullet and duplicates the ballistics of the 1882 cartridge. The only place I know to get bullets is to get a mould and cast them yourself. Don't make too many of them. After a few shots they are no longer fun.

Ray

[sdkrag]

Rapine made a good 500 gr. mold. It closely duplicates the original Frankford bullets. Lee 405 does the same with the hollow base.

[adrians]

I have the ideal 457125 mold and it drop a 500gr bullet that resembles the original.

[13Echo]

The SAECO 881 bullet is a faithful copy of the 500gr govt bullet. It casts at 0.460" and is a better fit for most trapdoors. Buffalo Arms also sells a mould that is also good copy of the same bullet. The Lyman version has grown heavier and changed a bit from the original and casts at 0.458". You may find your rifle shoots better with the larger diameter bullet. Mine certainly does. The 500gr bullet at original velocities will get your attention but really isn't that punishing, especially if you wear a Past type shoulder pad.

Jerry Liles

[ronc54]

Anyone use Meister cast bullets out of Ozark, MO ? They have both 405 gr. and a 500 gr round nose flat point. They will cast the 500 gr. at either .458 or .459. It is special order but still seems reasonable at about $150 for 500 delivered. What I am really looking for is a load that matches the ballistics of the original load out to about 500 yards that the sight is calibrated for, maybe there is a 405 gr load that is close enough.

[steved66]

Check out the Shooter's Page on the Trapdoorcollector website for good info on load data (and how to use the Buffington sight)

http://www.trapdoorcollector.com/shooterstext.html

[carbineone1964]

37 - 38 grains of 3031 is a good load for the 500 grain bullet and duplicates the ballistics of the 1882 cartridge. The only place I know to get bullets is to get a mould and cast them yourself. Don't make too many of them. After a few shots they are no longer fun.

Ray

WOW, you use that much 3031? I would be somewhat frightened at that much..Seems to be a pretty stout load..