Sgt. Hochbauer, SASS #64409 Posted June 6, 2022 Share Posted June 6, 2022 I am curious to what others load. I just got a trapdoor and casted 405 gr bullets the smokeless rounds I initially shot were nice to shoot tolerable recoil. I loaded up about 25 rounds today with the 405 gr bullets and 60 gr of 2ff real bp. By the time I got to the 20th round I was thinking I was through. It thumped the heck out of me. Am interested to hear what others load for them. Hochbauer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trailrider #896 Posted June 6, 2022 Share Posted June 6, 2022 That was the reason the cavalry was issued the .45-55-405 ammo for its Trapdoor carbines. The space between the powder and the base of the bullet was taken up by card wads. (You never want airspace over the BP charge!) As far as being beaten by the time you got to the 20th round, I'm not sure how the average trooper felt, although in the heat of battle, they might not have noticed until later. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hoss Posted June 6, 2022 Share Posted June 6, 2022 full length rifle or carbine? The carbine should be loaded 55g with a filler. personally, I’ve always just filled the cases on mine. I do prefer a 305 Bullet. You might try a rubber pad on buttplate. Then cover it with a leather cover. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cholla Posted June 6, 2022 Share Posted June 6, 2022 The comments at the time were that the .45-70 loads hurt at both ends. I have shot the BHA loads in my Trapdoor H&R reproduction carbine and they were quite pleasant. The bullet is 405 grains but the powder is roughly 25-grains of what looks to be 5744. (Do your own research on that.) I have not checked the muzzle velocity. Following in Hoss' footsteps, I just bought a 300-grain mold for my Trapdoor. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hoss Posted June 6, 2022 Share Posted June 6, 2022 If a repro trapdoor I think mild smokeless loads ok. I like 14.2 Unique. Mild load. Way cheaper than 5744! if an original trapdoor BP or BP sub like APP or 777 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Artemus Von Schutze Posted June 6, 2022 Share Posted June 6, 2022 Find the Lee 405 Hollow Base mold if you want to recreate army loads, or make a great load in general. I use the 405HB with 70 gr of FFg in my rifle length trapdoor. Works for Plainsman and long range alike. It helped me win the single shot military match at EOT this year shooting 100-300 yeards. highly recommend the 45-70 book, it is a great resource if you are playing with Trapdoors. https://the4570book.com/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larsen E. Pettifogger, SASS #32933 Posted June 7, 2022 Share Posted June 7, 2022 If you can find a copy this is the bible on loading for the trapdoor. Had a copy but sold it when I got rid of my last Trapdoor. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Waxahachie Kid #17017 L Posted June 7, 2022 Share Posted June 7, 2022 1 hour ago, Larsen E. Pettifogger, SASS #32933 said: If you can find a copy this is the bible on loading for the trapdoor. Had a copy but sold it when I got rid of my last Trapdoor. I got a couple of copies of this booklet, from Amazon, and it was even signed by Pat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sgt. Hochbauer, SASS #64409 Posted June 7, 2022 Author Share Posted June 7, 2022 Thanks for all of the information. Its back to the reloading room and try some other loads. My trapdoor is a carbine. Finding the right load is part of the fun of getting a new toy. Hochbauer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oddnews SASS# 24779 Posted June 7, 2022 Share Posted June 7, 2022 I have the H&R Trapdoor Officer's Model replica. My load is 65 grains of 2f behind the 405 grain Lee hollowbase bullet (I cast my own) lubed with 50/50 crisco and beeswax. Roughly 25 years ago I used that load to harvest my first deer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bailey Creek,5759 Posted June 8, 2022 Share Posted June 8, 2022 How did it shoot? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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