BNIB .45-70 Trapdoor Carbine

[4fifty8]

• model S900 made in Italy by Davide Pedersoli fit/finish/blueing very nice
• modernized version of historic Springfield Model 1873 Carbine
• rated for 31,908 psi max pressure ammo (historic model ~20,000 psi?)
• gonna try Hornady 410gr Sub-X Subsonic ammo results to follow

S900 spec's: https://shop.davide-pedersoli.com/e...apdoor-carbine-22.html#/224-caliber-45_70_gov

historic model: http://www.nramuseum.org/guns/the-g...eld-model-1873-1879-trapdoor-carbine-(1).aspx

 

[dan belisle]

Nice. I have the H&R officers Model version from the 70's. Fun gun. - dan

 

[4fifty8]

Results: Hornady 410gr Sub-X ammo

• from this rifle chronographed ~1070 fps=subsonic (sonic speed@5000' elev/-15 C ~1100 fps)
• v-notch rear sight ladder down 100 to 500 yds ladder up 600 to 1200 yds
• set 100 yd ladder up functions as peep sight groups pretty good@100 yds
• back of chamber brass deflector to flip ejected brass out
• sure like this vintage design! should take it hunting

 

[kcivezleb]

*******

 

[8ball]

I was Geronimo's favorite rifle.

 

[armorman]

Beautiful rifle!

 

[dan belisle]

Mine shoots well, but certain types of brass don't work well with the ejection system. - dan

 

[tacfoley]

You would do well to keep to the 300gr lead load that the original shot. I have no experience shooting game with one here in UK, where it does not meet the government requirements for either muzzle velocity or energy [funny, that...].

So it IS proofed for the jacketed stuff you are using in it, but it seems more in keeping to use the original 60gr of BP 300gr load - somewhat kinder to the shoulder, too.

My .45-70 load in a Uberti High Wall is just 34gr of H4198 - not unpleasant and plenty accurate out to the maximum I shoot it of 200m.

And for Mr Kcivezleb - does your H&R Trapdoor have the modified latch? Originals from H&R had part of the breech block latch held on with a short screw - it was susceptible to opening on firing as the screw broke...the fix was to make the latch in one piece, like the real thing had been.

 

[dan belisle]

You would do well to keep to the 300gr lead load that the original shot. I have no experience shooting game with one here in UK, where it does not meet the government requirements for either muzzle velocity or energy [funny, that...].

So it IS proofed for the jacketed stuff you are using in it, but it seems more in keeping to use the original 60gr of BP 300gr load - somewhat kinder to the shoulder, too.

My .45-70 load in a Uberti High Wall is just 34gr of H4198 - not unpleasant and plenty accurate out to the maximum I shoot it of 200m.

And for Mr Kcivezleb - does your H&R Trapdoor have the modified latch? Originals from H&R had part of the breech block latch held on with a short screw - it was susceptible to opening on firing as the screw broke...the fix was to make the latch in one piece, like the real thing had been.

I thought the original load was the 405 gr lead bullet load? - dan

 

[4fifty8]

Generous throat length any of these rounds chamber. Speer .45-70 Marlin load data held to 28,000 psi could adapt for use in this rifle.

 

[SHELL SHUCKER]

The Trapdoor Pedersoli's are nice rifles, but the action design is weak compared to the Marlin 1895 and Winchester 1886. SAMMI max pressure for Trapdoor rifles & replicas thereof is 18,000 psi. For Marlin 1895 and Win 1886 the SAMMI max is 28,000 psi. For Ruger No 1 & No 3 the SAMMI max is 40,000 psi.

Folks reloading 45-70 really got to have the Lyman 50th edition reloading handbook to get safest results.

 

[4fifty8]

Results: 405gr / Pyrodex

• today tested 405gr CamPro copper plated / Pyrodex RS / Starline brass / CCI 200
• ~1250 fps mv smoke cloud & sulfur stink
• with peep sight groups not bad

 

[4fifty8]

• S900 Trapdoor Carbine not replica (non-functional display piece it ain't)
• not re-production (same design as original it ain't)
• modernized version of historic Springfield Model 1873 Carbine
• reiterate - designed to operate safely to 31,908 psi max
• fired 405gr/Re7 loads ~1700 fps mv .45-70 Marlin Speer data 28,000 psi max w/o issues

 

[Nibe]

Beautiful rifle, love the case hardening.

My 2nd time out with my Uberti HW. Learned the hard way how NOT to offhand shoot a 45/70 with a crescent buttstock…lol

 

[4fifty8]

Results: 405gr / Re7

• same speed as Pyrodex load
• off bench accuracy checked out ok
• consistent off hand accuracy requires skill & practice

 

[Reeferman]

I thought the original load was the 405 gr lead bullet load? - dan

The M1873 405 grain bullet was first used in both rifles and carbines. The M1881 500 grain was then adopted and used in rifles.

 

[4fifty8]

Historic Springfield Model 1873 Cavalry Carbine

• fired reduced load 55gr black powder designated .45-55
• interpretive center exhibits, Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument, June 2018 visit

https://www.guns.com/news/2011/12/3...apdoor-carbine-custers-cavalrys-achilles-heel

https://southeastmontana.com/little-bighorn-battlefield

 

[4fifty8]

Core-Lokt factory ammo / revised Re7 load

• 405gr Core-Lokt ammo accuracy & chrono results
• claimed 1330 fps mv (24" barrel) chrono'd ~150 fps less
• accurate off hand shooting wih Trapdoor Carbine iron sights challenging
• handload: Re7 charge increased to raise 100m POI it worked groups tighter
• for comparison fired both rounds in scoped Ruger No.1

 

[4fifty8]

• close range practice 25m
• trial & error determined proper front blade hold on target with rear v-notch
• ladder up peep sight for longer ranges
• proficiency with iron sights a challenge

 

[fingers284]

The US Arsenal also loaded 2 different levels of power for the 50-70 when it was used in the Allen Conversions, a full 70 gr charge for the long "needle gun" rifles and a 55 gr charge for the Cavalry Carbines.