are the Springfield Trapdoor rifles a good rifle for a single shot shooter-?

thanks, Dave

To start with?  I would say no, because of oversize bores, experimentation needed to get it shooting (alloys, granulations, crimp,...)  Getting a trapdoor to shoot does require some previous knowledge of BP shooting.  They can be made to shoot accurately, but usually require quite a bit of tinkering.  So no - not a good starter rifle.

A good starter rifle?  It depends on what your experience is and what you want the rifle for.  If you are willing to experiment a little and aren't looking for a target rifle, I'd say yes.  A good shootable rifle can be had for less than a new one and they can be made to shoot with decent accuracy.  To get one shooting, though, usually requires casting your own bullets from soft lead at about .460".  I have two and they're my favorite just go out and make smoke rifles.  They are accurate with black powder (about 2" at 100yds for the 1884), cause no end of comment at the range, and they carry the aura of history with them.  They are suitable for black powder silhouette and hunting and some types of target shooting.  Next to my Dad's shotgun they are my most prized firearms and I have some fine weapons.

Jerry Liles

thanks folks, lots of good advice.

i guess i should have been more precise in my question.

i want a B.P. cartridge single shot rifle for hunting, plinking, and just fun to shoot.
i do not know if i will enter compitition, but maybe some day.

so the Trapdoor sounds about right, as Sharps are just to exspensive for every day run of the mill shooting.

thanks again.

Dave

Dave;
One thing you want to keep in mind. Trapdoors are lightweight rifles. If you shoot them bunch they will beat you to death. They are "usable" if you use a good "Past" or other shoulder mounted recoil pad:

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Finding a good one is not easy. I suggest you buy Wolf's book FIRST as there is lots of information on picking as well as shooting this historical rifle (hysterical rifle if you don't use a "Past" 'pad ). 

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Have fun!!
Dale53

What Jerry said. Clarence the Collector has known Al Frasca for years and speaks very highly of him.

The 1888 rod-bayonet model is perhaps the best choice, at least IMO. The rifles usually haven't been used that much and most still have very good bores, they all have the desireable Buffington rear peep sight, and the bayonet latching mechanism adds about a pound of extra steel out on the end of the stock where it will dampen some of the recoil. I've owned several and liked them all.

BTW the Quigley was won one year with a trapdoor sporter, and a borrowed one at that!
Good luck, Joe

Dave, feel free to ask anything, the only dumb question is the one you DON'T ask! Good luck, Joe

I was in Cherrys not long ago (web site cherrys fine firearms) and he had a couple of nice shooter trapdoors in stock.  Cherrys sold one of my Trapdoor carbines for less  than 1000 dollars on consignement last year and it was a top notch shooter. He is a good guy to deal with.  I think you can find a good shooting rifle for between 600 and 750 without much trouble.  I would look for an 1884 that has high  numbers.  Many were aresanal rebuilt which included scraping the stock.  If the cartouche is gone it's priced a lot lower hence the 600-750 range. 1873's are much higher and carbines even more so.

On which one, the only one I own now is a Cadet model. Shorter barrel than a rifle but still not a carbine.  Am partital to the 2 band Minne Ball rifles and the Cadet Trapdoor is exactly like my musket.  Both have been very good deer rifles to 100 yards.  More distance and the trapdoor is accurate but you need to adjust sights which is not good for hunting at various ranges. Same is true for about any big bore Single shot.

I  have switched the front sight blade for a 03's that's higher and lets me zero at shorter ranges and added a Arsenal cast steel pistol grip. Both can be taken off if I want to go back to origional.  The Buffington Sight has a bit of shim stock in it too.  For accurage sight settings use a dial caliper on the Buffington recording the reading for distances in a notebook. Have shot mine over the course 200/300/600 and even once or twice to 1000 yards.  Not the best long range rifle but it is possable to shoot long range with one.  It looses out prone to a dedicated target stocked rifle not to mention a modern barrel.

I shoot it with the Carbine load almost exclusivly, 405 gr aresnal bullet over black powder.  Have shot it smokeless with the same bullet but  not a lot. Lots of good bullets in that range avalable. My mold is a Raphine exact copy of the Aersenal bullet. He used to sell them in different sizes. 460 works for me.  Big is probably better but Wolfe has a lot to say about that.

Bullet weight makes a big recoil difference.  I don't have an recoil problems with mine except it's not a prone stock under any conditons.

Have fun

Boats