Anyone know about an H&R 1873 .45-70 replica made in the 70s?
- Thread starter Kestrel
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Wildalaska
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I used tom have one, dont know about cast but they were interwsting, the one I had was nicely made...
PS..Only shoot with FACTORY REMINGTON OR PMC 405 GRAIN 'COWBOY' STYLE LOADS
Thank you
WildetroopAlaska
PS..Only shoot with FACTORY REMINGTON OR PMC 405 GRAIN 'COWBOY' STYLE LOADS
Thank you
WildetroopAlaska
Preacherman
Member
Yes, I have one. Beautiful gun - great blueing job, good wood, and VERY accurate. I've used Hornady 300gr. XTP's in it, which are technically a bit "hot" for the trapdoor action, but it handled them just fine. The "standard" 405gr. load is preferable, for safety reasons, and that's what I stick with now.
If you can find one (hard, because they only made a few) I highly recommend them.
If you can find one (hard, because they only made a few) I highly recommend them.
Preacherman
Member
Steve, it's a case of supply and demand. There are very few of these floating around (IIRC, H&R only made a couple of thousand of them - limited production run), so basically a seller can ask anything he wants and expect to get reasonably close to that amount if someone really wants one. I paid $600 for mine in a private sale, and consider myself lucky to have found one at that price - particularly in mint condition. Why not make an offer to the shop, and negotiate a better price?
Detritus
Member
i've heard a Rumor that at least part of the Trapdoors being turned out by Pedersoli & sons in Italy, are produced on the old H&R tooling. that after H&R decided that THEY did not want to persue production any further, Pedersoli Bought the tooling and had it shipped.
like i said i have heard this rumor many places don't know if it's legit or not.
just passing on what i've been told.
like i said i have heard this rumor many places don't know if it's legit or not.
just passing on what i've been told.
What got my attention on this Trapdoor H&R is, I've kinda always wanted to try the long-range .45-70 shooting at steel silhouettes. I had thought about something like some sort of Sharps clone. I'm guessing it would be a stronger action than the Trapdoor? I assume you would be using strong loads for long-range shooting in this caliber?
Steve
Steve
7.62FullMetalJacket
Member
If you are not particular, then try this:
http://www.hr1871.com/firearms/index.php?cat=4&subcat=23
It will take the hottest loads you can make. I have one
Price is reasonable as well. Not fancy by any stretch.
http://www.hr1871.com/firearms/index.php?cat=4&subcat=23
It will take the hottest loads you can make. I have one
Price is reasonable as well. Not fancy by any stretch.
Detritus
Member
never mind i thik i misread 7.62FullMetalJacket's
post
post
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Preacherman
Member
Steve, for long-range work, you'd be much better equipped with a Sharps, Ballard or Rolling Block replica (or the less-authentic H&R "Buffalo" rifle mentioned in 7.62FMJ's post). The Carbine version of the "Trapdoor" Springfield has the shorter barrel preferred by horsemen, and its trapdoor action is significantly weaker than the other rifles mentioned above. (For that matter, the H&R break-open action is also considerably weaker than the Sharps or Remington designs.)
I bought my Trapdoor Carbine purely and simply for reasons of historical nostalgia. After all, it was used over most of the West, and was the gun that arguably cost Custer and his men their lives at the Little Big Horn (too slow to reload, unreliable with early ammunition). It's a piece of history, and I enjoy it and shoot it as such. It's also a very good short-range deer gun, and at ranges out to 100-150 yards, in thick brush, it's a very useful weapon. So far, on deer, it's 3-for-3.
I bought my Trapdoor Carbine purely and simply for reasons of historical nostalgia. After all, it was used over most of the West, and was the gun that arguably cost Custer and his men their lives at the Little Big Horn (too slow to reload, unreliable with early ammunition). It's a piece of history, and I enjoy it and shoot it as such. It's also a very good short-range deer gun, and at ranges out to 100-150 yards, in thick brush, it's a very useful weapon. So far, on deer, it's 3-for-3.
blfuller
Member
H&R also made the Trapdoor Officers model. This is more of a long range version. It has a tang mounted peep sight and a longer barrel, approx 24", with a ram rod under the barrel. This is a musket length without the full length stock and a pewter forend cap. Mine is the H&R anniversary model 1871-1971.
7.62FullMetalJacket
Member
That 32 inch barrel puts in down range. I am shooting open sights at 100-200 yds. 1.5 moa. I think it will do fine at 500 yds.
Bought in the middle of nowhere for $350 new. It ain't a totin rifle. It is very long.
Bought in the middle of nowhere for $350 new. It ain't a totin rifle. It is very long.
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