1884 Springfield trapdoor

[Alamosa Bill]

Hi, I’m in the process of getting an antique 1884 made in 1891, it uses a 500 grain bullet, my question is I shoot 530 grain Postells in my Sharps, would they work in the Springfield? Black powder only of course.

 

[ballardw]

Rifle or carbine?


IIRC the 500 grain loads were considered unpleasant in the carbine and a 350 grain reduced load was designed for cavalry using the carbines.

 

[Jim Watson]

The original 1873 load was .45-70-405. The carbine load was .45-55-405.
It was 1881 before bullet weight was increased to 500 grains for better long range performance.

A 530 Postell and black powder will be safe to try in a Trapdoor.
Stability and accuracy are left to the student.

 

[Alamosa Bill]

Sorry, it’s a spike bayonet rifle.