Trapdoor Rifles

I recently purchased an 1881 Forager, have not received it yet, serial number 604.
I'm hoping to fire it one day so looking to possibly finding someone here who may have some experience loading 20 gauge rounds for the Forager. I've searched through the books I have but no information is listed on the case dimensions, I would think they would be a standard 20 gauge 2 1/2" brass shell??
I thought there was a post here on this but I've been unable to find it. There was also a member who was going to sell me a Forager years ago who sent me many pictures and some load data but I can't remember his name
I had saved all the information that was sent but my computer crashed not too long ago, bought a new one but a lot of information on the old computer was lost
Hopefully his memory is better than mine and will recall the conversations.
Dick, if you don't have this serial number your welcome to add it to your list.

I think I have some original load info, but not sure where it is (along with about a jillion others). Thanks for the number - a new one (the 154th) BTW, anyone hear from Stephen McCartney? He was the one who started the list, then sorta turned it over to me.

Stephen's computer is not working at this time. He has access to the internet, but in a rather disjointed manner. I will tell him to check up on this site the next time I speak to him.

Rick T.

throck3 wrote: ↑Sun Sep 29, 2024 4:57 pm Stephen's computer is not working at this time. He has access to the internet, but in a rather disjointed manner. I will tell him to check up on this site the next time I speak to him.

Rick T.

Thanks very much - the group works!!!

Carlsr, I have several original cases and find length 2.570, rim diameter.750, body diameter at head .696, diameter at mouth .685. A modern brass shell will work in the forager. I also checked a brass Winchester case and its within a few thousandths of the arsenal cases. Hope this helps.

Tom Trevor wrote: ↑Tue Oct 01, 2024 3:50 pm Carlsr, I have several original cases and find length 2.570, rim diameter.750, body diameter at head .696, diameter at mouth .685. A modern brass shell will work in the forager. I also checked a brass Winchester case and its within a few thousandths of the arsenal cases. Hope this helps.

Thank you Tom, that information is very helpful!!

I spoke on the phone to Stephen McCartney this morning. Unfortunately, he does no have the original government load data for the forager loads. He did, however, suggest that you might look up the information on the loading kits that were issued along with the shotguns to the companies. He thinks that you might find the load data in the instructions that accompanied the loading kits.
Rick T.

throck3 wrote: ↑Sat Oct 05, 2024 4:50 pm I spoke on the phone to Stephen McCartney this morning. Unfortunately, he does no have the original government load data for the forager loads. He did, however, suggest that you might look up the information on the loading kits that were issued along with the shotguns to the companies. He thinks that you might find the load data in the instructions that accompanied the loading kits.
Rick T.

The only information I found on the reloading kits is posted on the armscollectors.com site.
When I search for load data there’s plenty of 45/70 and 50/70 results. The only 20 gauge data results are for modern shot guns.
Thanks for your help Rick T., greatly appreciated.

This discussion makes me wonder about the fact that I do not EVER recall seeing an "original" loaded round for sale, let alone a picture, just cases. Did everything that got loaded get shot? I have one tinned case, which was used, and an (opened) original FA box with ten brand-new cases. I found my paperwork, but no load data is included. I suppose you could sort of reverse-engineer it, by taking the appropriate weight of shot and a reasonable wad set-up; then, whatever space was left would be the BP charge? This should be perfectly safe as shotguns do not develop a lot of pressure. An action safe for .45-80-500 is going to stand up to ANY reasonable BP shot load.

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.