45-70 Ammo for Springfield Trapdoor

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JDB1915

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I recently acquired a Springfield Trapdoor carbine and I would like to put a few rounds through it. It's in good mechanical shape. Hand loading is not an option for me, so I'm looking at commercial ammo. From what I read, Winchester's 405 grain lead non-jacketed Cowboy ammo is the softest load out there. (I would not shoot the higher pressure jacketed loads). Is this a good option?
 
JDB1915 said:
I recently acquired a Springfield Trapdoor carbine and I would like to put a few rounds through it. It's in good mechanical shape. Hand loading is not an option for me, so I'm looking at commercial ammo. From what I read, Winchester's 405 grain lead non-jacketed Cowboy ammo is the softest load out there. (I would not shoot the higher pressure jacketed loads). Is this a good option?
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I think that what you want to avoid is the ammunition labeled "levorution" or something similar. I think it is intended for modern Marlin lever actions. I think the older 405 grain, jacketed shells were loaded light so that they could be used in original trapdoors as well as other stronger actions. I don't think the jackets on soft point slugs makes much difference in pressure

cheers mooncoon
 
Thanks for this. I think the Remington jacketed lead 405 grain is only a little hotter than the Winchester. I'm relying on muzzle energy here.
 
I didn't realize that Winchester made this ammo. I haven't bought any commercially loaded .45-70 for many years. That stuff looks about perfect. 405gr lead at 1150 fps.

If you can ever swing it, you sure will get a lot more out of a .45-70 by reloading. Certainly save your brass just in case. In a mildly loaded single shot rifle it'll literally last forever.

Chris.
 
Yep, Winchester sells cowboy action ammo which be fine in a Trapdoor.
https://winchester.com/Products/Ammunition/Rifle/Super-X/X4570CB

Reloaders can get decent performance from the 45-70 in the Trapdoor with jacketed bullets from 300-405 gr & with cast boolits up to 535 gr.
The main thing is to keep pressures to under 18,000 psi max in loads for extended use. Grab the Lyman 49th and/or 50th edition
reloading handbook to get great info on loads.

Dang, now I'm gettin' the itch fer a Pedersoli Trapdoor to go with me 86/71. ;):runaway:
 
JDB1915 said:
I recently acquired a Springfield Trapdoor carbine and I would like to put a few rounds through it. It's in good mechanical shape. Hand loading is not an option for me, so I'm looking at commercial ammo. From what I read, Winchester's 405 grain lead non-jacketed Cowboy ammo is the softest load out there. (I would not shoot the higher pressure jacketed loads). Is this a good option?
Click to expand...


Your post makes it sound like your rifle is an original era manufactured rifle. There are actually a lot of those rifles out there still in occasional use.

When Winchester started to load their ammo for Cowboy shooting, the same concerns were running through their minds as those going through your's.

I went to a Cowboy shoot in the US and one of the shooters there, came out in full period regalia, shooting period manufactured firearms. All of the firearms were put together from selected for quality parts. The firearms were valuable, but because they were mixmasters, didn't carry any premium.

He shot the 45-70 Springfield Trapdoor with Winchester non jacketed Cowboy ammo. Specifically because it was very close to the specs his rifle's design could handle comfortably. If he could have found them, in the quantities he shot, he would have used black powder loads.

He didn't reload per se. His pistols were all cap and ball, which he loaded himself and had several spare cylinders for each.

I wonder what happened to him???? I will have to make some inquiries. Nice fellow.
 
Just purchased an original Model 1884 Springfield Trapdoor Rifle 45-70 , waiting on delivery.

From my research they recommend avoiding jacketed bullets - I also have an 1871 H&R Buffalo Classic so I already reload 45-70 - I use 405g and 500g RNFP lead bullets again per research 405g was typically used in the Trapdoor carbine and the 500g was used in the long rifle. Here is a link worth checking out https://www.trapdoorcollector.com/

Retreever
 
Im a long time Trap Door shooter and reloader, amongst many other old time cartridges.

When you own these types of antique firearms and you want to shoot them on a consistant basis, you really need to get into reloading, bullet casting and so on.

That being said, I only use black powder loads for my Trap Door.

To each his own I guess, but please be on guard using smokeless loads. Smokeless is less forgiving than BP, but we all know that, I hope.

Yes, No jacketed bullets please.

Mine is an 1888.
 
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posting a location could be really helpful, lots of us cast and can teach you the ropes, casting can be a very sociable activity, 20 years ago we used to have a casting party every 2 months in a buddies carport around a 200 pound pot
 
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