Factory BP Ammo for 1873 Springfield?

[wobble]

I'm in the process of acquiring a Model 1873 Springfield Trapdoor (made in 1881) that is in great shape and is perfectly shootable.

Where can I find factory .45-70 black powder ammo? What brands?

I'm not into reloading and it wouldn't justify the expense for the relatively small amount of shooting I'll be doing with it.

 

[[email protected]]

Goex Black Dawge from Powder Inc.

 

[rusty from italy]

Reload the .45/70 for a single shot can be made also without a press and dies
The only thing you need is a manual primer.
Once your first set of ammo are fired and formed in your rifle you can reload it like a muzzleloader in the brass
I started to reload years ago for a H&R trapdoor '73 carbine without any than a lee manual primer.
Now i have a 6 dies set for 45/70 and a rcbs press, but in the years i started to reload many other caliber for ex military rifle like mauser, mosin nagant, enfield and carcano, and almost 3 caliber for pistol.
The reloading job is a pleasure like fire your arms at the range, is the "other half of sky" in this hobby.
Rusty

 

[wobble]

Rusty:

Interesting concept -- reloading through the muzzle -- but not for me.

I agree that reloading can be the other half of the fun and I might do it one day, but for now with my new gun I simply want to get going as quickly as possible.

 

[TomADC]

Keep checking or better yet call powder.inc ask about any 45-70 over stock ammo I got a great deal on some a few months back.

 

[rusty from italy]

Rusty:

Interesting concept -- reloading through the muzzle -- but not for me.

No no, absolutely no, i talk about the shell, not the rifle muzzle, a 45/70 shell can be reloaded by hand if you use it with black powder in a single shot rifle like trapdoor or sharp, i have seen people win a match with a hand reloading.

The only breech loading rifle you can reload safe from the muzzle is the paper cartridge sharp, it has a nipple that you cap after reloading.

ciao
Rusty

 

[BHP FAN]

hey Rusty! I too started my reloading with the Lee Loader and an H&R trapdoor....small world! At $33.00 vs. $3.00 a box of ammo,it's easy to see why. Now, years later I have mold and dies in every caliber I own, but I still have that Lee Loader in .45-70.

 

[StrawHat]

Like other, I started reloading on a budget. My first tool was a 310 nutcracker, in 45-70. I now have dies for it in 45 Colt, 45-70, 38 Special and 405 WCF. Yes I have other reloading tools and even a Dillon press from my competition days but for starting out the 310 was great. I still use it from time to time.

You don't have to spend a fortune to get started in reloading and it does allow you to shoot more.

 

[Loyalist Dave]

Ten-X Ammunition makes a variety of Cowboy loads, as does Black Hills Ammunition and should be a good source for the .45/70.

LD

 

[Palehorseman]

My first tool was a 310 nutcracker, in 45-70. I now have dies for it in 45 Colt, 45-70, 38 Special and 405 WCF. Yes I have other reloading tools and even a Dillon press from my competition days but for starting out the 310 was great. I still use it from time to time.

That is odd, I have two 310 tools, and no way can the pistol one (44-40) be used for reloading 45-70. These two 310 tools are entirely different animals

 

[BLACKHAWKNJ]

I think many reloading presses-my old RCBS 4x4, e.g.-are unsuitable for reloading the 45-70, I bought a Lee Hand Press, works fine. You will need a priming tool, a lubricating pad and lube of course. Also the one book I read on reloading the 45-70 with blackpowder said the flash hole should be slightly enlarged and to use magnum primers-they burn hotter.

 

[BHP FAN]

I don't enlarge the flash holes or use magnum primers,and they work just fine using real black powder.I think that advice might come in handy with some of the harder to ignite subs,though.

 

[arcticap]

Blackhorn 209 loading data for rifle cartridges instructs to use Federal 215's which are large rifle magnum primers.

http://www.blackhorn209.com/loaddata/

 

[Rock Island]

Goex FFG is all I have been using in my rifles 1873-88 45/70 Springfields, started with the Lee loader, then the Lee hand press, now I have many presses I can use for it. I only just got a set of 50/70 dies, and still load that one by hand thumb pressing a round ball into the case right at the range. I a pinch I have used 1F, and Goex cartridge, shortages of real black are common around here

 

[StrawHat]

Palehorseman

That is odd, I have two 310 tools, and no way can the pistol one (44-40) be used for reloading 45-70. These two 310 tools are entirely different animals

I have several different handles and dies for many cartridges. I did not mean to imply it was a "one size fits all" any more than one set of dies would reload all cartridges. Although I believe I can reload revolver cartridges with my long handles I can see where the other way about would be tough. I have enough ammo loaded up to last the summer but I may pull the 310 down to try different systems.

 

[R.Clem]

Wobble:
If you check out Cabela's in the ammunition section under "cowboy" you will find what you are seeking.
As I read it, factory .45-70 loads are all reduced loading for use in Springfield, unless noted otherwise. However, I would not trust anything that was not loaded with black powder.
Good shooting.

Ray