Originally Posted by
JimF in CT
Mike--
First-off, what you (and most everybody else) call a "ramrod" on a breech-loader, is actually a "cleaning" rod.
Think about it . . . there is nothing to "ram" on a breech-loader, right?
I better not state what I think of ANY of Poyer's books, but . . .
According to Waite & Ernst's, "Trapdoor Springfield", your receiver was struck in the third quarter (July-Sept.) of 1882, one of 4,760 rifles made that quarter. Your stock MIGHT be a little early, but I wouldn't worry (or change it out).
I'd hold out for some "cowboy action" lead loads (Black Hills, maybe), and save your brass for later handloads.
Original rifle loads were 500 grain bullets (the 405 grainer was for the carbines). --Jim