I did a quick search and didn't see anything recent on this.

 

My father has a trapdoor that he's never shot. He bought it years ago from a friend who fired it when he first obtained it.

 

He's recently found the blade sight and is now looking to shoot a few out of it before he hangs it up. Anyone know where he can buy 45-70? I've seen a few dead links on the trapdoor website, and there's a few places that have some variety of 45-70, but we're not sure what's appropriate and don't know the lingo for it. Any help would be appreciated.

 

I'll post a few pics while I'm in NC for Xmas.

look here:

 

http://www.midwayusa.com/45-70-government/br?cid=22388

I have purchased black powder 45-70 from these guys before.

 

http://www.buffaloarms.com/.42_.45_caliber_black_powder_ammunition_pr-4443.aspx?CAT=4443

http://www.powderrivercartridge.com/trapdoor-pressure-4570-s/123.htm

 

You can get some unique loads from these guys.

Tenxammo.com

 

http://www.tenxammo.com/tenx_ammo_B.html

If your just looking for a couple of rounds to try it out I have a few reloads that someone gave me I do not know the Data for these rounds but your welcome to them I work up in Irvington I think Hudson county is near by I live in Bayville exit 77 so I travel the Parkway Weekdays from exits 77 to143 so if you want them 732-678-6706

If your just looking for a couple of rounds to try it out I have a few reloads that someone gave me I do not know the Data for these rounds but your welcome to them I work up in Irvington I think Hudson county is near by I live in Bayville exit 77 so I travel the Parkway Weekdays from exits 77 to143 so if you want them 732-678-6706

Your generosity is noted but this would absolutely be the worst idea. Using unknown reloads is always a bad idea and very dangerous. You don't know if that is a powder puff load for old trapdoor or a rhino roller that approaches 458 Magnum performance you can shoot from something like a Ruger No 3.

 

Sevenshot, you should only shoot low pressure smokeless loads or blackpowder in that rifle. Most smokeless Cowboy loads would be safe in your rifle. If not stated in their data I'd check with the manufacturer if the loads are safe in original rifles.

Your generosity is noted but this would absolutely be the worst idea. Using unknown reloads is always a bad idea and very dangerous. You don't know if that is a powder puff load for old trapdoor or a rhino roller that approaches 458 Magnum performance you can shoot from something like a Ruger No 3.

 

Sevenshot, you should only shoot low pressure smokeless loads or blackpowder in that rifle. Most smokeless Cowboy loads would be safe in your rifle. If not stated in their data I'd check with the manufacturer if the loads are safe in original rifles.

^^^^^THIS^^^^^  GRIZ is 1,000% correct!

 

For the OP:

 

Low-pressure cowboy loads are the ONLY thing you put in a Trap Door!  Anything that says "for lever-action rifles", "Not for Trap Door Springfields", "Magnum Equivalent", or any such sorta thing YOU STAY AWAY FROM like the Plague!  

 

Up until about 20-25 or so years ago the ONLY .45-70 rounds out there were Trap Door rated.  Then Marlin upgraded the lockwork of their lever model 1895.  Then HSM came-out with Barnes heads at magnum strength, put it on the cover of American Riflemen with a Big Game Hunt and Pandora's Box was opened.  Suddenly everybody had to have the MAGNUM, but they didn't bother to re-chamber the case so now you can blow-up gunz...........

I appreciate all of your help and smokin's second paragraph had me lol at work.

 

Doing a quick search on tail end of shift, does the mass matter in this oldie? Seeing everything from ~200-400 grain in smokeless.

I appreciate all of your help and smokin's second paragraph had me lol at work.

Doing a quick search on tail end of shift, does the mass matter in this oldie? Seeing everything from ~200-400 grain in smokeless.

Don't look at bullet weight. Pressure is the factor you need to pay attention to. A 400 gr bullet Cowboy load at 1000 fps gives you alost 900 ft\lbs of energy. You can kill anything in North America with that. The sights on the gun are regulated for a 400 gr bullet. Lighter bullets can give you less recoil and more velocity. A 300 gr bullet travelling at the same speed as a 400 would GENERALLY give you a lower pressure.

 

As I stated above, if the box doesn't say safe for trap doors I'd call the manufacturer and ask.

 

Modern Trapdoor replicas are still limited to lower pressure loads IMO. The metallurgy is better but the action is still not that strong.

Black Hills Ammo has good cowboy ammo, when I shoot smokeless, I prefer Black Hills. 

 

http://www.luckygunner.com/45-70-405-grain-fpl-black-hills-ammunition-20-rounds

 

After setting yourself up with Lucky Gunner, they're real quick to ship.   I use them alot.