50-70 trapdoor

KnotRight

KnotRight

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A friend got a 50-70 trapdoor and wants to get some bullets for it. He also wants to shoot black powder. I have never loaded any black powder and do not have any dies for that caliber.

Any advice on what to do and how to do it?
 
@KnotRight on the boat this weekend, but when I get back I can probably lead you to a few ideas. However, I can’t help at all with the Black Powder. That is out of my area.

WHen I get back in Monday, I will look at some ideas for you.
 
Michael458 said:
@KnotRight on the boat this weekend, but when I get back I can probably lead you to a few ideas. However, I can’t help at all with the Black Powder. That is out of my area.

WHen I get back in Monday, I will look at some ideas for you.
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Michael, thanks and safe sailing.
 
First off, the actual bore size needs to be determined. Mine takes 515 bullets. I'm experimenting with the Lyman 515141 and Lee 90255. Bullet weight will be dictated by twist rate as well. I'm headed back to the range tomorrow with mine for further tests.
 
Go do a search on castboolits.com. there are a lot of BP and 50-70 shooters over there and they love to share info.
 
OldNascar said:
This link may help; https://www.singleshotexchange.com/handloading-the-50-70-for-antique-and-modern-rifles/
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Dave951 said:
First off, the actual bore size needs to be determined. Mine takes 515 bullets. I'm experimenting with the Lyman 515141 and Lee 90255. Bullet weight will be dictated by twist rate as well. I'm headed back to the range tomorrow with mine for further tests.
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Both of these offer sound advice......... It appears the modern rifles are from .511-.512 and the original guns like Dave says are .515-518. @Dave951 and some others will be far more help with this one than I can be. I have some loads over on AmmoGuide with smokeless powders, and as mentioned I am totally useless on BP loads. Good Luck.......
 
Well, range day was fairly successful.

First off, my bore on an original 1869 roller is 515 grooves, 492 lands. That's a .017 deep groove, and yeah it's darn deep by modern standards. The Lee bullet gives so so groups. The bullet with the most promise is one I got in a group buy from NOE. It's 400g with two deep grease grooves.

The two loads that showed promise, and these were just thrown together for initial testing, were 74g and 72g 3f Old Eynsford. The heavy one was no wad, no filler about 1/16th powder compression. Group size was 3 shots touching and entire group no larger than 3in. The other was 1/16th compression, .020 over powder wad, 2g COW and .003 wad over filler. Both had bullets finger seated into fire formed brass.
 
Interesting thing about that second load was group shape. Group measured 1in wide by 6in tall.

Now to further experiment with both by getting very precise on techniques.
 
not bad. I just got a roller in .50-70 and am excited to try it out. I go the lyman government mold (I think 515141) and am eager to try it out. I'll be using swiss 2f though.
 
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