1884 Trapdoor - BPCR Check

[Nickjc]

Re. bullet crunching the powder. Tap a lot (I drum on the table 10 times) and the powder will settle some more, so less "crunch".
Opinions differ, but I reckon that "crunching" should not be more than 1/16" - absolute max. 1/8" - otherwise you may be breaking up the powder grains, which could affect the burning rate. Best is no crunch,as that is yet another variable that affects the ballistic consistency, i.e. grouping.

The Lyman 457125 or Saeco 881 are both are 500 grain round nose bullets and almost always the least fussy to get to shoot acceptably well. Your 1884 should have the Buffington sight and either of the government profile 500 grainers should shoot pretty close to the sights.

Thank you both for taking the time to respond.

The amount of "crunch" is about 1/8-3/16 max as far as I can measure reasonably well

I will look at both of those molds and see !

I was going to get out to shoot it tomorrow afternoon - but I have a bit of a busy day Sat. and want to be sure that I can give it a cleaning after the range and a follow up - it will be one of those things to keep an eye on so I do not want to have too much else going on.

I keep reading about blow tubes etc. - I am not sure this is going to be a rifle for extreme accuracy - more of a fun range gun with some real history....

With my ML's after a few shots I always gave it a good wipe with a patch and Bore Butter - would the same principle apply here to keep the BP soft etc..?

If there a favored method for a good cleaning of the Trapdoor that others have honed in on?


Thanks for all the guidance.

Peace

Nick

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[old tanker]

...If there a favored method for a good cleaning of the Trapdoor that others have honed in on?...

It doesn't get much more elegant than this steam cleaner from Pedersoli, but Harbor Freight has a much cheaper alternative that can be adapted. My preference when using a rifle vise for cleaning is to place the stock up (unlike the video) and the muzzle down so liquids are less likely to leak into the channel under the barrel. Since you have to clean a trapdoor from the muzzle, a bore guide is useful to prevent damage to the crown. Plain hot water works fine. Wet patch, dry patch until clean.

Make sure you have container of soapy water to put the fired brass in until you can wash it out prperly later when you get home.

[Nickjc]

more elegant than this steam cleaner from Pedersoli

WOW !

Link for the harbor freight - just curious....

Gotcha just like my ML's - ! Thanks

[old tanker]

WOW !

Link for the harbor freight - just curious....

Gotcha just like my ML's - ! Thanks

Here ya go...