Posted By: keets
1873 trapdoor 45-70 info - 01/13/21 07:58 PM
me and my buddy found one in our gun shop....he wants it to deer hunt with.....yous got any info we should know beforehand? thx
1873 trapdoor 45-70 info
Posted By: danny clifton
Re: 1873 trapdoor 45-70 info - 01/13/21 08:05 PM
Be careful what you load it with. Some factory ammo is for modern firearms that are speced and tested for a lot higher pressure than your old trap door. If it says 45-70 government or 45-70 cowboy action your good.
Posted By: keets
Re: 1873 trapdoor 45-70 info - 01/13/21 08:07 PM
that helps a bit right there....i figgered modern ammo might be too much
Posted By: danny clifton
Re: 1873 trapdoor 45-70 info - 01/13/21 08:12 PM
If you want to have fun load your own ammo with a bullet mold and black powder. Use plumbers lead. Just remember to completely disassemble and clean every time you shoot it.
Posted By: Buck (Zandra)
Re: 1873 trapdoor 45-70 info - 01/13/21 09:04 PM
Was that an original or a H/R model?
Posted By: keets
Re: 1873 trapdoor 45-70 info - 01/13/21 11:15 PM
original
Posted By: keets
Re: 1873 trapdoor 45-70 info - 01/13/21 11:15 PM
w/bayonet
Posted By: Killbuck
Re: 1873 trapdoor 45-70 info - 01/14/21 08:03 PM
I've got an original with bayonet, unfired. Any idea what its worth?
Posted By: Muskrat Love
Re: 1873 trapdoor 45-70 info - 01/14/21 10:16 PM
If you put it on GunBroker and start it at 1 cent, you'll find out in two weeks what it's worth!
Posted By: Muskrat Love
Re: 1873 trapdoor 45-70 info - 01/14/21 10:20 PM
Had a trapdoor .50-70.......... $$,$$$.00
Posted By: traprjohn
Re: 1873 trapdoor 45-70 info - 01/14/21 11:54 PM
Does it shoot paper cartridges or brass?
Hope he likes recoil.
Hope he likes recoil.
Posted By: danny clifton
Re: 1873 trapdoor 45-70 info - 01/15/21 01:27 AM
I dont believe any model 1873's took a paper cartridge. They were all centerfires.
Posted By: K52
Re: 1873 trapdoor 45-70 info - 01/15/21 01:28 AM
Don't shoot the Hornady lever ammo in it, way to hot. If you reload I've got some powder puff loads that are fun to shoot. I've got a NEF with a buffalo classic 45/70 barrel and I put a model 1901 US Krag rear sight on it. I use a 240 gr. bullet and 10-13 gr. of Unique, very recoil friendly and pretty darn accurate.
Some reloading manuals will show 3 different levels for loading the 45/70 and the original trapdoor is the lowest pressure load and the Ruger #1 is usually the highest.
Some reloading manuals will show 3 different levels for loading the 45/70 and the original trapdoor is the lowest pressure load and the Ruger #1 is usually the highest.
Posted By: traprjohn
Re: 1873 trapdoor 45-70 info - 01/15/21 01:30 AM
Originally Posted by danny clifton
I dont believe any model 1873's took a paper cartridge. They were all centerfires.
Excellent Danny
Posted By: danny clifton
Re: 1873 trapdoor 45-70 info - 01/15/21 01:38 AM
Also, so far as I know, any ammo unsafe for those old trapdoors will say so on the box.
![[Linked Image]](https://trapperman.com/forum/attachments/usergals/2021/01/full-320-79099-884852.jpg)
![[Linked Image]](https://trapperman.com/forum/attachments/usergals/2021/01/full-320-79100-th_3.jpg)
Posted By: Nessmuck
Re: 1873 trapdoor 45-70 info - 01/15/21 01:53 AM
You best be loading that brass with black powder
Posted By: danny clifton
Re: 1873 trapdoor 45-70 info - 01/15/21 02:35 AM
my lyman book, and hodgdon on line reloading info, both list a lot of smokless loads under 45-70 1873 springfield, both also list for 1886 winchester and marlin, and then a third load under ruger #1 and #3 only
Posted By: danny clifton
Re: 1873 trapdoor 45-70 info - 01/15/21 02:38 AM
Quote
45-70 Government (Modern Rifles): This data is only for Ruger No. 1 and No. 3 single-shot rifles, Browning 1885 single-shots and Siamese bolt-action rifles. max pressure, 50,000 CUP. Do not use this data in either of the prior two sections of 45-70 data (Trapdoor and Lever Actions).
Quote
45-70 Government (Lever Action): This data is intended for the 1895 lever action Marlin, ONLY. Max pressure, 40,000 CUP. Do not use this data in any of the firearms listed in the Trapdoor section. Do not use pointed bullets in any rifle with a tubular magazine, unless that pointed bullet was designed with a collapsible tip, made for tubular magazines.
Quote
45-70 Government (Trapdoor Rifle): this data is intended for Springfield "Trapdoor", Rolling Block and Antique Replicas. Max pressure, 28,000 CUP.
Posted By: wildflights
Re: 1873 trapdoor 45-70 info - 01/15/21 02:40 AM
All reloading manuals have three categories for 45-70. Trapdoor, lever actions and modern. Hodgdonreloading.com has a quick reference for loads if you care to look.
Sounds like a fun shooter and trapdoor loads are mild on the shoulder.
Sounds like a fun shooter and trapdoor loads are mild on the shoulder.
Posted By: keets
Re: 1873 trapdoor 45-70 info - 01/15/21 02:52 AM
My buddy bought it.....$850