Trapdoor Rifles

I ordered a Lyman black powder reloading hand book, 2nd edition.
It has load data for 20 gauge shells plus many others. I’ll be ordering some 20 gauge Magtech brass and also a press.
I’ve not reloaded shot shells before so this will be a new adventure

Hackley, Woodin & Scranton,History of Modern U.S. Military Small Arms Ammunition Volume 1 1880-1940 covers thes on pages 255-256.

Mostly Frankford Arsenal made empty primed cases to be loaded by using units in the field. (This was common for civilian shotshells of he period as well.)

Circa late 1881 Frankford Arsenal did load some 20 GA shells for tests of the Springfield shotgun. These used 75 grains of black powder (granulation not noted) and 1 1/8 ounce of No 6 lead shot.
In 1891 Frankford Arsenal loaded some with No. 8 shot. (quantity and purpose not noted).

"In 1899 and 1900 some shells were load for Springfield Armory with bucksho and 75 grains of black powder for proof of 20 GA barrels."

Thank you John S. Very helpful information.
I looked up the book you mentioned and like everything else these days it's an expensive one.
Also found that no press is needed to load these, they can be loaded by hand with hand tools I already have. I'll just need to order the brass, shot and wads.
Thanks to everyone for the help.

Tom Trevor wrote: ↑Sat Oct 05, 2024 9:56 pm several in our club shoot black powder shotgun both muzzle loading and breech loaders. So I asked one about a load for you and got this 80 grains 1FG or 70 grains 2FG 1.5 ounces of number 7 shot. After you put the top wad in run a light bead of white glue around the edge of wad to retain it This is more for double barrel guns as firing might allow the unglued wad to move causing a loose shot column.
Many loads you find in the old books call for drams of powder one dram is 27.3 grains weight. So average shotgun load would be three drams. Hope this helps.

Thankyou Tom!!

Received my forager, just waiting on shells and over shot cards.
Stock and metal parts are better than I had expected but the bore is rather crude.
The description rated the bore as fare but I'd rate it poor. Hopefully it is still shootable. From what I have read and foragers I've seen bores are usually worn from use and neglect since they were basically 2nd rate arms.

Thank you John S!!
Here are some pictures of the bore

Good photos.
Thanks
John

I have a Marlin Model 19 pump shotgun with a bore WORSE than that, and I use it on the trap field.
It seems to bust the clays as well as any of my other, better bores.
My Winchester M’73 likewise has a “sewer pipe” bore, but the woodchucks can’t tell the difference ‘twixt it or any other, better bore!
Only down side? . . .They both are a bear to clean!
Patches never come out clean . . . .only gray!

Thanks Jim.
I don't plan on shooting it a lot, just once would be awesome!!!
I do however have another issue. As with my 1865 1st Allin conversion the case won't fit in the chamber
I have to reem it out with some emery cloth, as I did on my 1865 until the case drops in.
Only problem there is I can't get the breech screw out #@#@!!!
I have it soaking in WD 40 since yesterday afternoon so hopefully that will help??

carlsr wrote: ↑Sun Oct 13, 2024 12:15 pm . . . . . .
Only problem there is I can't get the breech screw out #@#@!!!
I have it soaking in WD 40 since yesterday afternoon so hopefully that will help??

I suggest you soak the tang screw in Kroil rather than WD40.
I never had any luck with WD and any of my firearms.