Let's talk about 45-70 Trapdoors!

EricBu said:

I want to hear those pet 45-70 loads. Soft shooters, not "Ruger No 1" stuff (which is all I've previously loaded in 45-70).

As the proud new owner of my just delivered Cimmaron Trapdoor......and having a great big case of MBC "Buffalo" 405 grain Hi-Tek coated bullets, give me some ideas and loads to try. Any powder you prefer, any velocity as long as it's in the safe zone for classic trapdoors. 405s are my preferred, but if you have a pet load from 300 grain to 500 grain, throw it out here.

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show some photos man! we like pictures with our words

Yes, Mr EricBu, a picture would be great. I have a 1883 Springfield. I use Trailboss for some light loads with 300 grain lead. I know people like to shoot black powder. I just bring myself to dirty up the old rifle with dirty black powder.

EricBu said:

Ok, lol. Here's a Halloween Trapdoor;-) View attachment 1031426

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Did you do the decorating???

my prized 45/70… was not expensive but I treat it like a million bucks

my should hurts after 5 of these loads 405gn hardcast

EricBu said:

Ok, lol. Here's a Halloween Trapdoor;-) View attachment 1031426

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Gorgeous!

EricBu said:

Nice rifle. You ever chrony that load? Looks a might warm for my purposes, but it's nice to have the data point. And no, I didn't do the decorations. My wife is big into holidays, so we do it up for all of them all year round. Halloween and Thanksgiving are her favorites so we have a lot of decorations for fall.

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I have not, it should be up there, it really hurts

I’m a little boring I guess but using the old red Lee dipper for 28gr of IMR 4227 has always just worked for me. It’s a little stout but plenty safe in one of those Spaghetti Trapdoors. They’re strong enough for sure. Depends on what your shoulder will be happy with.

You can get less smack and good results with 20gr of 2400. I never bothered running either load over a Chrony Probably should some day.

oh and both of those are good for 100yds on whitetail in my Marlin 95, too. Just seat to the crimp groove and check to make sure it clears the breech.

GeoDudeFlorida said:

I’m a little boring I guess but using the old red Lee dipper for 28gr of IMR 4227 has always just worked for me. It’s a little stout but plenty safe in one of those Spaghetti Trapdoors. They’re strong enough for sure. Depends on what your shoulder will be happy with.

You can get less smack and good results with 20gr of 2400. I never bothered running either load over a Chrony Probably should some day.

oh and both of those are good for 100yds on whitetail in my Marlin 95, too. Just seat to the crimp groove and check to make sure it clears the breech.

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lee Dippers are the best! I have one set and I plan on getting 2 more

OP …. you mind if we show off our .45/70’s they are the best guns for Sharp shooting and Buffalo hunting

I'm commenting just to watch this thread. I've been interested in light plinkers with cast boolits for my Marlin 1895 GBL. I feel like it would be extremely fun to shoot steel with and have light recoil!

I load and shoot a Pedersoli 1885 in .45-70, IMR4198 is the best thing going... although good alternatives are H4198, AA5744, and RL7. You can easily tailor your load to your velocity target (or your recoil threshold... )

With 405grn cast bullets, 30grn IMR4198 give me 1275fps (out of the 32" 1885, your shorter barrel obviously not...) and 35grn 1500fps.

There will be some who suggest pistol powders like IMR4227, 2400, Unique, RedDot, and TrailBoss. Although I have tried some of those, I'm more inclined to just stick with true rifle powder... but that's me.

I am using IMR 4198 as well. 31 grains under my Lee 405 grain cast bullet is running an average of 1300 fps through my chronograph out of my Pedersoli trapdoor carbine.

Targa said:

I am using IMR 4198 as well. 31 grains under my Lee 405 grain cast bullet is running an average of 1300 fps through my chronograph out of my Pedersoli trapdoor carbine.

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I’m using 42 grain of 4198 for a Oregon Trial 405g hard cast. Kindda afraid to chrono it now

Nothing wrong with that, the #1 wont even sweat at that load…..now for your shoulder, that’s a different story all together..

EricBu said:

You're good. Your No 1 will handle that. But it would be interesting to see.

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anybody want to guess? 22” barrel, I think… so I guess 1500fps

I’ve shot this load for years and the case handles it nicely, the rifle is a tank (beautiful tank), but my shoulder hurts! might put a pad on my shoulder next time

EricBu said:

Thanks for the replies. Looks like 4198 is pretty popular. I guess I'll start around 30 grains.

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what range will you be shooting that guy? are you going to put a different sight on it?

I've only shot 20 rounds through my 1873 original springfield. It was Remington factory ammo. I've been told it was loaded light in consideration of all the old rifles still out there. This was about 50 yrs. ago. If I ever decide to shoot it again I'll pick a load from my Lyman manual in the trapdoor section.

Mark_Mark said:

anybody want to guess? 22” barrel, I think… so I guess 1500fps

I’ve shot this load for years and the case handles it nicely, the rifle is a tank (beautiful tank), but my shoulder hurts! might put a pad on my shoulder next time

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I would guess closer to 1600, maybe more…

after sorting through my loads and notes, my shoulder told me that 1500fps is my normal threshold for fun shooting, beyond that, it starts becoming UNfun.

Now the question is: cast, swaged or jacketed?