[Pappy John]

We decided to air out my buddy's 1873 Springfield this fall while we were at deer camp. I brought along some 45.70 cartridges with black powder loads that I normally shoot in my Sharps. Even though it had been given an "OK to shoot" verdict from a local smith we decided to err on the side of caution for the first shot...the thing is almost 130 years old after all...

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid48/pbea660a9a2ad7450f54ea5d9aae3700b/fcbe3300.jpg

After no flying parts were noted we got braver...

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid48/p07daab7822e7a85058b19a0d323945a9/fcbe32fd.jpg

After wringing it out pretty well we let the kids have fun

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid48/p05d1152ce153be2df8ccb1e59ac85527/fcbe32ff.jpg

Humming Gary Owen while loading

[MK11]

Very cool. What's it like to shoot?

[Still Learning]

I'll bet those kids really liked shooting that old Trapdoor. You were wise to err on the conservative side and stick with black powder. There was a gunsmith at the old Mashburn Arms in OKC that had the remnants of a Trapdoor that the owner had blown up with smokeless powder and jacketed bullets.

[Pappy John]

"Very cool. What's it like to shoot?"

A good solid thump, but not overpowering. It has a very small notch in the rear sight, meant for eyes younger than mine. Between that and the rough bore groups were bigger than I'm usually happy with. The trigger wasn't too bad. It ejected the spent brass with authority, ending up several feet behind you if it got past your shoulder.

[Mike Irwin]

Eye protection for the shooter in the third picture?

[Pappy John]

You're right, Mike. It should BE THERE.

[cratz2]

Excellent! My father in law has an old full size trapdoor that we're debating whether we should shoot or not. We know it was shot in the 60s. Were you using handloads or factory black powder ammo?

[Pappy John]

Its a handload. 480 gr spire point with SPG lube over a .060" veggie wad on top of 59 gr of FF black with a Fed 215 primer.