Load testing my 1873 Springfield

[shawnmmckenna]

I have been working on a load for my 1873 Springfield. Today I tried the third load and I am very happy with the results! I achieved a 2 9/16 inch group @ 100 yards! Pretty damn good for a 140 year old rifle with iron sights! I figured I would share the load data, perhaps someone else here is looking to work up a load for thier Trapdoor Springfield.

480 gr. Montana SP
23.0 gr. AA5744
Fed 215M
C. 2.095
OAL 2.770

Load has .060 over-powder wad

Here is a pic of the target:

* This was a 9 shot group. *

[cdi]

Good to see original old guns still shooting.

I have had two of those rifles come through the shop in the last couple months.
One of these days, I am going to find one at the right price and try knocking down a deer with it.

[shawnmmckenna]

I think I am going to take mine into the woods with me this season. Deer should drop pretty quick from a 480 - 500 grain bullet!

[bamboomaster]

I have been working on a load for my 1873 Springfield. Today I tried the third load and I am very happy with the results! I achieved a 2 9/16 inch group @ 100 yards! Pretty damn good for a 140 year old rifle with iron sights! I figured I would share the load data, perhaps someone else here is looking to work up a load for thier Trapdoor Springfield.

480 gr. Montana SP
23.0 gr. AA5744
Fed 215M
C. 2.095
OAL 2.770

Load has .060 over-powder wad

Here is a pic of the target:

* This was a 9 shot group. *

Mighty fine group - one of the best I've seen from a Trapdoor. BTW, was your target turned sideways in the picture? If so the shots were high (as they're supposed to be) at 100 yds. Used to bother me until I read that battlefield zero for those rifles was 285 yds. If you used the center of the target as the aiming point, the rounds will ALWAYS hit high at 100 yds...

Great shooting!

[shawnmmckenna]

Mighty fine group - one of the best I've seen from a Trapdoor. BTW, was your target turned sideways in the picture? If so the shots were high (as they're supposed to be) at 100 yds. Used to bother me until I read that battlefield zero for those rifles was 285 yds. If you used the center of the target as the aiming point, the rounds will ALWAYS hit high at 100 yds...

Great shooting!

Target was sideways in the picture. I had stacked targets at the range. I am ordering a replacement sight from trapdoors galore which is oversized and can be filed to shoot to the sights at 100 yards. It is only held in by a pin and will not permanently alter the rifle. I plan to tinker slightly with the load, I would like to try to get the groups to 2". Ill be posting further load data when I have it. I admit, I was very surprised with todays group, I think I am going to shoot the rifle in next years Military Service Rifle League at my local range.

[bamboomaster]

I think I am going to shoot the rifle in next years Military Service Rifle League at my local range.

Well, they're gonna be surprised...

Keith Rush is something else, eh?

[shawnmmckenna]

Well, they're gonna be surprised...

Keith Rush is something else, eh?

Keith has been great to deal with, and yes, I think they will think Im nuts, well just have to see where the lead hits...