Pedersoli Spingfield Trapdoor Officer

[Nevada Smith]

Hi guys

I'm looking to buy a Pedersoli Springfield Trapdoor Officer in 45-70
Does anyone have some experience to share ?

What powder do you use ? black or smokeless powder ? How about IMR Trailboss?
What powder loads to be used?

Thanks a lot for any info.

Happy trails to you.

 

[SHELL SHUCKER]

Get the Lyman 49th edition reloading handbook. It shows many good loads for the 1873 Springfield, but no listings using Trail Boss powder. This powder will easily produce pressures above the 17,000 psi safe ceiling for the Trapdoor. That said, the Pedersoli is a well made rifle.

 

[Lonesome Donkey]

I have never owned the Pedersoli version, but many years ago I owned the H&R version of the Officer's Model.
Very much the same, except without the open rear sight on the barrel, and with a removable metal pistol grip adapter.

It shot very well, as I am sure the Pedersoli also will. Great fun to shoot, worked perfectly, and an attention getter.
As has been said, the Lyman manual is probably your best resource.
I always liked IMR 3031 for any and all smokeless .45-70 loads.
For black powder you will need to use a drop tube and some compression to get 70 grains in. (Consult a black powder cartridge handbook.)
For authenticity you will need to cast 95% pure lead 500 grain government bullets. (Lyman #457125)
40 grains of IMR 3031 with the 500 grain bullet will give you around 1300 FPS @ 17000 CUP
(Lyman 48th Reloading Handbook recommended medium load for 1873 Springfield)

 

[Forty4Forty]

I like to shoot "black" powder in mine, I cheat and use substitute. As mentioned above be careful of pressures in a Trapdoor, i.e. BP substitute Hodgdon 777, creates to pressure made for modern BP rifles. These rifles are great to shoot, if you buy 45.70 off the shelf see if Trapdoor safe.

 

[Lonesome Donkey]

I like to shoot "black" powder in mine, I cheat and use smokeless. As mentioned above be careful of pressures in a Trapdoor, i.e. BP substitute Hodgdon 777, creates to pressure made for modern BP rifles. These rifles are great to shoot, if you buy 45.70 off the shelf see if Trapdoor safe.

IMHO Hodgdon 777 is spooky stuff in cartridges. I used it once, followed the rules carefully, seated the bullet onto a thin card with no air space, and with little or no compression.

In my 1866 short rifle, in .45 Colt, the 777 loads had alarming recoil. Perhaps I should have used more cards and less powder.
But, I never used it again and pulled all of the charges. I will use it up in a muzzleloader.

 

[Nevada Smith]

Thanks a lot guys for your feedback. So if I understand well, there's no problem shooting smokeless powder in this Trapdoor as long as I use an appropriate powder and correct and safe load.
Am I correct ?

And I'll buy the Lyman bible, already bought the Hornady reloading butI never find good info in it.....

 

[Lonesome Donkey]

Thanks a lot guys for your feedback. So if I understand well, there's no problem shooting smokeless powder in this Trapdoor as long as I use an appropriate powder and correct and safe load.
Am I correct ?

And I'll buy the Lyman bible, already bought the Hornady reloading butI never find good info in it.....

Correct.

The Lyman 48th or 49th Reloading Manual and The Lyman cast Bullet Handbook are your best sources.