uberti trapdoor springfield

[mattmillerrx]

I have looked at these at the gun shows, actually the real thing.  I have wanted one, but for the condition and price I have passed.  The Uberti's are priced high compared to the surplus but they are new guns in new gun condition.  I have some questions about the trapdoors in general and the remake:

What type of groups can I expect from one of these guns?

I have read were these guns can have the breech open or not close correctly and run the gun when fired.  Bad news.  Is this a real issue or the result of guns being shot with over powered loads or guns that are worn to much?  Is it an issue on the remake as well?

I know the 45-70 is a great round.  I have thought of a marlin 1895 for a while.  So here is a thought.  Will the 32 in. Uberti with trapdoor loads out perform a 18 or 22 in. marlin with marlin loads?  Sorry I do not have load data in any of my books for that long of a barrel.

This will go back to the accuracy question but what kinda of range can be accurately shot with the sliding sight?  By accurately I mean to take game.  Although, it will mostly serve as a target gun (just for fun gun) I like to hunt with all my guns and would most likely use this one for some hunting as well.

I have not decided on this one yet but it is the current front runner for my next gun.

[Rangr44]

[What type of groups can I expect from one of these guns?] -

They are not target rifles, and the external hammer has a long locktime, adding to accuracy issues - good trigger pulls notwithstanding.
A specially-tuned/accurized specimen can be expected to shoot about 2 MOA, but run-of-the-mill issue guns are much less accurate.



[what kinda of range can be accurately shot with the sliding sight?]

Many have been fired at targets/ranges as long as 600 yards, and more.
Trajectory and range estimation, however are critical issues



[I have read were these guns can have the breech open or not close correctly and run the gun when fired.  Bad news.] - Yep

[Is this a real issue or the result of guns being shot with over powered loads or guns that are worn to much?] -
Real - From both worn rifle parts and heavy loads

[Is it an issue on the remake as well?] -
It is a DESIGN issue, common to all trapdoors



[Will the 32 in. Uberti with trapdoor loads out perform a 18 or 22 in. marlin with marlin loads?] -

Not really, but it depends what's meant by "out perform".
A longer barrel may well be capable of better accuracy than a shorter one, from simply a longer sighting radius.
As far as power is concerned, there are generally three accepted levels of loads for .45-70 rifles:(lowest to highest)
1) Trapdoor
2) Winchester 86/Marlin
3) Ruger/Win 1885/Browning 1885.

.

[mattmillerrx]

Thanks for your help.  I may look on to something else.  Possible a Sharps. 

[bluecow]

get the trapdoor and enjoy it for what it is.  shoot mine with cast and balck only.  im not much on targets but off hand at 100 yrd with buffington sights i can stay a @ 3-6" depending on me.  never heard of the breach block not working but i guess anything is possible.  remember  almost all the buffs was kiled with 45-70 & 50-70, level 1 45-70 will do what needs doing.  if your looking for a magnum may i suggest the 458 win. mag.  if you like the idea of a trapdoor ( the real gun that won the west) get it and dont look back.

[filmokentucky]

I agree. I've probably fired 50 trapdoors in the last 50+ years and maybe more and not one has ever opened up on me. You'd have to be shooting a truly abused rifle for this to happen or using totally inappropriate ammunition. The rifle I have now was made in 1879 and looks almost new. I load black powder rounds for it and cast lead bullets, but similar loads can be found ready made--GOEX Black Dawge cartridges work great for me. But the .45-70 is about the easiest to reload cartridge there is. And there are a lot of safe smokeless loads if you don't want to use blackpowder. Go for it!

[Barstooler]

My trap door is an 1884 that I found in a pawn shop in Seattle in 1960.  I paid $16 for it.   Have run several thousand rounds through it with no problems....including cast and jacketed bullets and black and smokeless powder.

Barstooler

[NickSS]

I too have fired many rounds through various trap door rifles that I own both original and new made ones by H&R until they went out of business.  I never had one pop open on firing and they will seat rounds that you can not seat in a sharps (I know because I have tried it) due to greater caming force when you close the breach block.  As for potency I shot a buffalo at 125 yards last October with an original 1866 Springfield in 50-70 using a reload that duplicated the original load that the Army used (70gr FFG and a 450 gr bullet)  The bullet went clean though side to side and the buff went about 15 yards and fell over dead.  You can not get any better than that.