Trapdoor Rifles

Hello to all,

I plan to start reloading with BP for use in my 1866 2nd Allin 50-70. The first step in the process for me is to slug the barrel. The entire rifle has had detailed examination buy a very reputable TD gunsmith and no visible problem detected. My only concern is the armory barrel sleeve insert and tapping a lead ball into the barrel. My fear is loosening the sleeve. The plugging would be performed by the same gunsmith. Your thoughts or experiences on this are most welcome.
Thanks
DocJoe

I would not be the LEAST bit concerned, at all, period, finis .......

Thanks Dick. It is funny how you always here "don't do it" from guys who actually never saw is occur. Again thanks for the advice.

DocJoe

I'll second Dick. Those sleeves are brazed in. It won't be a problem. You will probably see it come out between 0.512" and 0.515".

Thanks to you both for the guidance. Both slugged out at .512. Can either of you recommend a bullet diameter and type. I'll only be target shooting with both.

Joe Melikant

Bowing out, not a shooter at this time, Tony's your guy - have fun!

A couple of bullets come to mind one is the Lyman 515141 450 grain copy of the government bullet. Another is the Accurate arms 52-450 OR. the later carries more lube and is a better choice for black powder loads.
Go to the Buffalo Arms catalog and look also at the custom 50-70 molds they produce.

The Lyman 515141 use to be a knock off of the Springfield bullet, but about 40 years ago Lyman changed the lube grooves in all their black powder molds from the big square bottom black powder grooves to the current tiny half round smokeless lube grooves. If anyone knows someone at Lyman, tell them to change the grooves back and they will sell a lot more molds to black powder shooters.

The Accurate Molds 52-450L2 is another good 50-70 mold, and they will adjust the size to your spec at no extra charge.

Tony Beck wrote: ↑Tue Nov 26, 2024 11:41 pm . . . . . . .Lyman changed the lube grooves in all their black powder molds from the big square bottom black powder grooves to the current tiny half round smokeless lube grooves. . . . . . .

I read that this change by Lyman was part of the reason Elmer Keith became “angry” and severed his ties with Lyman.
He complained they changed “his” mold design from square to round grooves.
Lyman claimed “easier manufacturing” was the result.
I know the bullets dropped out of the blocks much better.

buy Lee's mold and be happy. It's inexpensive and it works. My 1866 is one of my best shooters. I never slugged the bore and I just use a .515 sizing die in an old Lyman 45 lubrisizer. my lube is 50/50 olive oil and beeswax. It's not a sniper rifle.