are modern .45/70 loads ok in black power rifles?

[lee2]

$34.49+shipping for 50. that's kind of expensive!

 

[coopermania]

You can get a pos Lee Hollow Base mold for around 30 bucks delivered. The plus with those bullets from Midway is they have a Black Powder lube already on them.




Here are some that are less expensive but they need to be lubed.

http://www.trackofthewolf.com/List/Item.aspx/129/1/BULLET-50-350-ML-HP

 

[4570inMD]

$34.49+shipping for 50. that's kind of expensive!

There are some less expensive ones here that might match your bore better:

http://www.buffaloarms.com/411_459_diameter_cast_bullets_pr-4135.aspx

Before taking it to the Range, I bore slugged my Trapdoor this morning and found grove-to-groove ~0.458" and confirmed very shallow rifling (three).

From http://www.svartkrutt.net/articles/vis.php?id=28:

Technical specifications for the Model 1873 Springfield Trapdoor
Length: 52"
Barrel length: 32.6"
Rifles: 3
Rifling depth: .005"
Rifling twist: 1:22"
Calibre .45"
Cartridge: .45-70-405/500 Government (centre-fire)

While you are shopping get a copy of the "LOADING CARTRIDGES FOR THE ORIGINAL 45-70 SPRINGFIELD RIFLE AND CARBINE" by Spence & Pat Wolf. http://4570products.info/

4570inMD

 

[lee2]

There are some less expensive ones here that might match your bore better:

http://www.buffaloarms.com/411_459_diameter_cast_bullets_pr-4135.aspx

Before taking it to the Range, I bore slugged my Trapdoor this morning and found grove-to-groove ~0.458" and confirmed very shallow rifling (three).

From http://www.svartkrutt.net/articles/vis.php?id=28:

Technical specifications for the Model 1873 Springfield Trapdoor
Length: 52"
Barrel length: 32.6"
Rifles: 3
Rifling depth: .005"
Rifling twist: 1:22"
Calibre .45"
Cartridge: .45-70-405/500 Government (centre-fire)

While you are shopping get a copy of the "LOADING CARTRIDGES FOR THE ORIGINAL 45-70 SPRINGFIELD RIFLE AND CARBINE" by Spence & Pat Wolf. http://4570products.info/

4570inMD

thanks!

 

[Blacksmith101]

If you want more information on casting and loading for the .45-70 you might want to look at the Black Powder Cartridge section on Cast Boolits:
http://castboolits.gunloads.com/forumdisplay.php?30-Black-Powder-Cartridge

 

[byf43]

are modern .45/70 loads ok in black power rifles?


i was told by ammo dealer this was true, that modern .45/70 ammo was purposely down loaded so that old rifles wouldnt blow up.

Maybe but I doubt an original BP rifle would be a good idea for more reasons than one. I think BYF43 likes the 45/70 more than most.... ask him.

Thanks for the vote of confidence, Bart.

IMNSHO, the ONLY factory loads that "I" would try in an old Trapdoor Springfield, would be Remington's 405 gr cartridge.

"I" wouldn't use anybody elses, unless it's SPECIFIED as safe in BP guns.

Still, the rifle that "I" would use, would need to be checked by a QUALIFIED gunsmith and determined to be strong enough to shoot.



However, I would use the advice given by others, that are more familiar with blackpowder loads for the .45-70!!!!!!!