Trapdoor Rifles

So I made some up. (These loads are only safe in my gun and aren’t tested for safety, so don’t use my loads or techniques ). They are actually pretty darn accurate. I tried a couple loads, some I used a very light load of 3f and it drove the collar button bullet to 650 fps. The mould actually comes with a load data sheet for smokeless. I have found that if I use my normal .460 deep expander I can push the bullet a good ways down into the casing and it seems to be more accurate . Using the standard lee short expander I can crimp them in the end of the case and they load and travel better and are nearly as accurate but fouling is worse. With a clean bore I bet I could do a 2” group at 50 yards rested. This 5 shot group target was done standing at 40 yards.

Wow!! Great work building those rounds.
May I ask what brand mold and mold number did you use? Looks like it has a really deep lube grove.

I often wondered how those (now ancient) Lyman “collar button” bullets would behave!

I notice in your pic, they have a purple hue to them . . . .or is it just the photo?

Also, if used in your TD, is the crimp really necessary?

They are the Lyman 2660130 mold, which from what I understand is a historic ideal mould that they used for gallery bullets in the day. They reintroduced it primarily for new high powered air guns from what I read. I make them from nearly pure lead, which is what gives it the purple hue. I also pan lube them before loading with my homemade black powder lube.

I use the crimp to secure them in the case during pocket carry scenarios, it’s not necessary if you are gentle with them. The deep seated loads I used a special extra long expander so I could push them way down into the case , for some loads.

Thanks for providing the mold number, I found one but they are pricey. Then again isn't everything pricey these days

Yup, the prices are nuts. I got mine from gunbroker of all places. It was a good $10 cheaper than every place else and free shipping. I will say when you use only use 10 grains or less of powder it saves a lot of money on propellant, lol. I have another batch loaded up ready to test. These are loaded deep in the case. I might clean between groups to see how accurate I can get. I’ve been using different powders.

eBay was the cheapest and with free shipping so I broke down and bought one.
I figured since it's a steel mold and not aluminum it's well worth it.
I was lucky enough to find a Lyman 500 gr. Round nose mold at a gun show for only 40.00

Dang that’s a good deal on the 500gr. Mould. I shot some groups today with my 1882 carbine with the bullets pushed down as far as I could in the case before distorting the bullet and got some really good results. The carbine has a really good bore. The bottom target was offhand at 30 yards 6 or 7rounds and the top was at 40 yards leaning against a car, semi-rested I guess lol it’s 2 different groups of 5 shots I adjusted the elevation for the second group. This time I swabbed the barrel every 5 rounds. I’m testing different powders including BP substitutes that I won’t go into.

Looks to be quit accurate.