I got a new lady in my life! w/pics!

[sparky0068]

I always knew I preferred the older ones but, wow!




























Springfield 1884 trapdoor made in 1887


The breech bolt has been polished and re-blued, markings are faint but still there.



The bore is minty for a 124 year old girl.



The serial number is very near the end of the 84 era



Replacement lockplate with no markings



The only marking on the stock



Some freshly loaded ammo for testing tomorrow.



No cleaning rod but I may try and find one in the future.

[gsd]

oooo tasty:)

[bkoenig]

Wow!  That thing is immaculate.  Now you have to start coming to the big bore single shot matches.

Are you going to shoot black powder?  Light smokeless loads are fine, but the 45-70 really sings with a compressed load of black and a big old heavy bullet.

[sparky0068]

I put five down her today.

new Winchester brass, 405gr lead, 25gr 5744, cci primer

Shot fine but I found some un burned powder and some shaved lead in the breech after firing.  The brass has no bulges or major scratching.  After winging the first two shots the others were touching, albeit 25yards.

I need you Brian, you expert of old and slow!

[bkoenig]

Well, I wouldn't say I'm an expert.  Wildgoose and Monkeyboy on here are the guys to talk to, hopefully they'll stop by.  They've shot at the BPCR nationals in Raton.

[monkeyboy]

Sparky,25grs of 5744 is in the ballpark for a smokeless load,although I'd use a 500gr + bullet in either a Lyman or Saeco mould.Blackpowder is really where its at with these old assault rifles and a snootfull of 11/2 or 2ff Swiss will bring out the best in them.PS-Your rifle looks a lot like one I saw at Nebr Gun a while back,if so it had a really nice looking bore!--FWIW--Mike.

[bkoenig]

BTW, got your IM.  I'll try to give you a call tomorrow night.

When I tried smokeless it was I think 28 grains of 5744 and a 405gr bullet.  It was pretty accurate, but the heavier bullets stabilize better at longer ranges and retain more energy.  Right now I use 60 grains of Swiss 1.5, then a .030 cardboard wad, then a 540 grain bullet from a Brooks mould.  It shoots 2 MOA with a tang sight, probably better if I scoped it.  If I ever get around to shooting it further than 300 yards I'm thinking I might want to up the powder charge.  That's in a Pedersoli Sharps, which is probably a little stronger action than an original trapdoor.

I wonder if the shaved lead is because the light weight bullet is having to jump a long way to the lands?  I seat mine as close to the lands as possible, backed off just a little to allow for easy seating when fouling builds up.

[sparky0068]

Yes it is the one from Neb gun.

I guess I get to go shopping for some casting stuff.

[RobertH]

Yes it is the one from Neb gun.

how does one get to Ne Gun?  there's construction like crazy there!

[sparky0068]

21st to M, access from the alley. 

[gsd]

or park on o street and walk.