In order to participate in the GunBroker Member forums, you must be logged in with your GunBroker.com account. Click the sign-in button at the top right of the forums page to get connected.

BP loads for the 45-70 cartridge

landtrainlandtrain Member Posts: 22 ✭✭
edited July 2002 in Ask the Experts
Just bought a model 1879 Springfield Trapdoor and would like to load strictly Black Powder Cartridges using 405 and 500 grain lead bullets.

Any one out there who can donate some knowledge to a novice.

Where can I look to find a full length stock for this rifle. Has a cut off on it now.
· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • jonkjonk Member Posts: 10,121
    edited November -1
    All black powder cartridges need to be filled to capacity- that is, fill the case to the depth to which you seat the bullet. Lightly tap the case to settle the powder, then top off again. A slight amount of compression is also desirable. You may or may not want to try an over powder wad. I reload for my 11mm Mauser in this manner. If you don't fill to case capacity it could create a double fire wave front and blow.

    "...hit your enemy in the belly, and kick him when he is down, and boil his prisoners in oil- if you take any- and torture his women and children. Then people will keep clear of you..." -Admiral of the Fleet Lord Fisher, speaking at the Hague Peace Conf
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • blackpowdermaxblackpowdermax Member Posts: 130 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    landtrain.....Here is a good place to start...."Loading Cartridges for the Original .45-70 Springfield Rifle and Carbine" by J.S. and Pat Wolf......you can find it here:

    http://www.buffaloarms.com/

    They will have everything you need to start.

    Few key points:
    1) As stated above, you must not have an airspace between powder and bullet. Most blackpowder loads are compressed slightly (good starting point is .020-.060") and this avoids the airspace.
    2) The bullet lube that you choose is critical, it must be a black powder lube not a "hard" smokeless lube. It has to keep the fouling soft or you will have to clean the barrel between each shot. SPG is a good one to start with until you decide to develop your own.
    3) The amount of powder is not as critical as consistency between loads. I personally do not weigh my loads because I am looking for an exact volume. All of my loads are measured. That is a personal choice and I got the idea from an 1800's Sharps catalog.
    4) Do a lot of reading on the subject, there's a ton of advice out there, some good, some not so good.
    5) Have fun....

    Be aware that your Trapdoor will probably shoot high at 100 yards, even with the lowest sight setting. The normal range setting for the sight was something like 265 yards.

    Hope this gets you started.....max

    load the old ones with the old tools.....
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • steve45steve45 Member Posts: 2,940 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    This may not be important but modern 45-70 cases hold approx. 67 gr. of powder. It is still very important to fill the case (leave no airspace) between powder and bullet.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Iroquois ScoutIroquois Scout Member Posts: 930 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Dixie Gun Works Box 130 Gun Powder Lane Union City TN 38281 Has semi-inleted stocks for Trapdoor Springfield rifles and carbines plus other parts such as barrel bands,band springs,screws ect.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • IconoclastIconoclast Member Posts: 10,515 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    One technical amplification - early cartridge cases were so-called 'balloon head' . . . the primer pocket was actually a protrusion into the body of the case. More modern (solid head) cases have the lesser capacity steve45 mentioned. *DO* be sure there is no air space.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • cbyerlycbyerly Member Posts: 689 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Your trapdoor will shoot best with the Lyman 500 grain bullets. They are the closest to actual bore size. I use 62 grains of ffg powder and a card wad over the powder. I precompress the powder before I seat the bullet. If you use the bullet to compress the powder, they may be deformed.

    Clyge
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • gruntledgruntled Member Posts: 8,218 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    You should notice he didn't mention if he had a carbine, rifle or cadet trapdoor. The 70 gr load was for the rifle. I'm moving now & everything is packed so I can't check my reference data but off the top of my head I believe the standard load for the carbine was about 50 gr.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • landtrainlandtrain Member Posts: 22 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    To: jonk, Steve45, Iroquios Scout, iconoclast, cbyerly. Thanks for you responses. I am saving my beer can deposit money to buy the Wolf book. Seems like this is the one to have if you can only have one. Didn't know that you should NOT have any air gap in the case. This might save me some black and blue marks from the wife. Thanks for the point of aim/impact. Otherwise I would have thought it was my glasses. Knew about the baloon head. Only plan to use near new US made cases. I have the rifle model. Carbine is to expensive. No way I could have drank that much beer by myself.

    To all who responded--Thanks. I really do appreciate your help.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Matt45Matt45 Member Posts: 3,185
    edited November -1
    landtrain-

    Something else to look into is using a beeswax cake over the top of the powder. They are easily made by placing a sheet of waxpaper on a cookie sheet, using a cylindrilcal "hoop" (like a canning lid) as a form and warming beeswax and pouring it to a required depth, (about 1/8 inch). Allow to cool, and then use a .45 Colt casing cut off at one end to punch out the disks or cakes. These go a long way to lube a BP Bbl.consistantly and reliably.

    Reserving my Right to Arm Bears!!!!
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
Sign In or Register to comment.