Government Load

[scout34]

What is the correct loading for the 1873 Springfield, bullet weight and velocity?  What are your loads for getting there?

I found an H&R 1873 Officer's Model for $550 and want to build the correct load for it.

[stimpylu32]

scout34

Just about all the loading manuals will list loads for the older trapdoor rifles , with most using the 300 and 405 grain cast bullets running around 1000 to 1200 FPS .

This is depending on the shape of the rifle , as always start low and work up slowly .

stimpy

[Graybeard]

The only period correct load is black powder under bullets weighting either 400 or 500 grains. With BP you always use a case full and slightly compressed it with bullet on seating. From what I've read the 500 was used for full rifles and the 400 for shorter barrelled carbines.

Original trap door rifles should NEVER EVER be fired with any other load. The newer H&R should at least in theory be stronger since it's made of more modern steels but it is still a trap door rifle and as such should never be used with loads developing more pressure. So stick to loads in the TRAP DOOR section of your reloading manual and be suspect be HIGHLY suspect of ANY load you get from an internet forum even this one. Use book data for that rifle specifically and nothing else.

[quickdtoo]

Here's some ia thread on the 1873 H&R that may prove to be helpful, particularly the post by tmitch4570.

Tim

http://www.shootersforum.com/showthread.htm?t=43839

[scout34]

Roger that.  Over in the other thread http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,129726.0.html somebody posted a link that shows the references to the Unique loads, so they will be verifiable.  Not a knock on whoever posted them, it's just that nobody takes care of you like you can, know what I mean?

I've seen that thread on the breechblock for the H&Rs as well, and plan to get this one drilled and pinned.

Black powder may be in my future loadings for this gun, but not at present.  Would the black powder substitutes work in the same way and as well?  Pyrodex and triple seven are all that are readily available to me.  I can get black powder, but only if it is shipped in bulk and that is not in the budget right now.

[John Traveler]

Pyrodex  and 777 loads work fine in the 1873 Trapdoor Springfield.

I load mine by volume, to just above the base of a seated 405 grain RNL bullet.  Slight compression is needed, just like for blackpowder loads.

[Kragman71]

Here's some ia thread on the 1873 H&R that may prove to be helpful, particularly the post by tmitch4570.

Tim

http://www.shootersforum.com/showthread.htm?t=43839

Scout34
This is a good link
However,to reproduce rounds similar to the origional ones you should get this book:
Loading Cartridges for the Origional 45/70 Springfield Rifle and Carbine
by Pat Wolfe
The book also has information about the guns and the issued ammunition
Frank

[StrawHat]

There was also a 55 grain loading for the 45-70 to be used in the carbines or the OM as I believe the barrels are the same length.

I am not sure how they filled the remaining space that the other 15 grains of powder would have occupied.

[sui generis]

There was also a 55 grain loading for the 45-70 to be used in the carbines or the OM as I believe the barrels are the same length.

I am not sure how they filled the remaining space that the other 15 grains of powder would have occupied.

My understanding was that at least one (original) method used a cardboard tube in the case to take up space.

[Kragman71]

There was also a 55 grain loading for the 45-70 to be used in the carbines or the OM as I believe the barrels are the same length.

I am not sure how they filled the remaining space that the other 15 grains of powder would have occupied.

Stawhat
Pasteboard wads were placed in the carbine case to fill the gap.
In 1886,the bullet was seated deepern the case,eliminating the need for the wads.
Frank