.45-70 mild smokeless for trapdoor

[po]

Any ideas for a smokeless load?

It's an 1884 trapdoor taken into service in 1886. As far as condition goes, I would say it can handle anything it could on the day it left the factory. It seems to be "handled" but virtually unused. The serial number is 332XXX, 333XXX or 335XXX; the center digit was incompletely stamped -- so I am not sure. I have some Black Hills 405gr Cowboy Ammunition I was hoping to start with, and recycle the brass from that.

Any experiences would be greatly appreciated.

-- po

 

[StooperZero]

11gr of Unique.

 

[MunsonMan]

Any current manual from the major reloading companies will list THREE separate levels of load data for the .45-70 Govt. The Level 1 data is for the Springfield Trapdoor and original Winchester 1886s. I like Accurate XMP5744 powder because it is bulky and fills up the big .45-70 case nicely.

Ed

 

[Nwcid]

I just got one about a month ago too. I was going to go with smokeless too at first. After reading TONS on these guns I decided to go with Goex Cartridge powder. This is my first gun I have loaded with BP and it was intimidating at first. I have only loaded and shot about 30 rds now but I am hooked.

These gun were meant for BP and half the fun of shooting them is with BP. I got a couple boxes of BH Cowboy loads too. They are nice, but seem just like shooting any other old rifle. My first BP load made a nice boom, lots of smoke and some flame. It was amazing.

 

[cultist]

I've used 11.0 gr of Trail Boss under a 430 gr bullett (good because its a high volume powder that fills up more of the cartridge, reducing the chance of secondary detonation)

I've also used 41 gr of Varget with a 405 gr bullett. But I prefer to save my Varget for 308 and 223.

Really fun to shoot.

 

[po]

This is all good stuff. Keep it coming.

The main reason I want to work with smokeless [for now] is I have zero experience with BP - other than knowing it's fun - and very little experience loading for rifle of any caliber. I've recently loaded some .25-20, with good results, but that's about it for rifle.

Stooperzero, I am happy to hear Unique is an option. I do have some experience with that propellant, and I have some on hand. What bullet weight do you use? And you use it in a trapdoor?

Thanks for the input.

-- po

 

[K2]

45-70 Uniqe Loads

Hi,

I also use unique. I've used 12.6 grains with a 300, 340, and 405 grain lead bullet in a Trapdoor.

Be very careful! After prepping the case, priming, a bit of flare on the case mouth, I charge the case with powder, stick a bullet in the case, and seat it. It never leaves my hand from when it gets to the powder measure until the round is complete. It would be very, very easy to double charge a 45-70 with Unique.

Suitable warning : Lyman's Cast Bullet Handbook that I have does not list Unique for the 1873 Springfield! Guess I should stop using it in the Trapdoor!?

A load of 11.0 grains runs as high as 16000 CUP with a 420 grain lead bullet.

Good Luck,

K2

 

[Noah Zark]

Hi,

I also use unique. I've used 12.6 grains with a 300, 340, and 405 grain lead bullet in a Trapdoor.

I have H&R replica trapdoors and use 12.5 to 13 gr Unique under 350s, 400s, and even 525 gr Lyman Postell bullets. Very accurate.

Suitable warning : Lyman's Cast Bullet Handbook that I have does not list Unique for the 1873 Springfield! Guess I should stop using it in the Trapdoor!?

No. It means they didn't test the powder, or don't want to list it. Doesn't mean it doesn't work.

Great advice for loading that you gave, capping the charged case immediately. I also use nickel-plated 45-70 brass for my light loads, exclusively. "If it's brass colored, it doesn't go in my Trapdoors."

Noah

 

[cohutt]

+1 on Unique.

have used Trailboss too

some comments and data:
http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?t=87166
http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?t=74891