Caldwell Target Camera and Trapdoor

[Rowdy Rick]

One other thing, when Wild Bill was here and I was showing him how to operate his Target Camera, we just set up in the house as it was a cold day. I had camera at one end of house and it is 28 ft to other end. The images looked good on the phone at that range but I didn't take a pic to compare to shorter range to see resolution difference. But it looked like you would not have a problem seeing hits on a gong at that distance. Just need warmer weather for more experimenting

Rick

[Kurt]

I got all the knapping tools reshaped and went to the shoe shop and picked up a thicker lap leather then the deer hide
I haven't drawn any blood for a spell, besides I need more lessons !!

[Don McDowell]

Here's a caldwell picture on paper.
   

Rick are you going to be at Alliance this May?

[Rowdy Rick]

Here's a caldwell picture on paper.


Rick are you going to be at Alliance this May?

Don,

Every year I say I am going to, so will see. I have more time this year. Trying to figure out a new gun and load I can handle off hand now. First time I was ever to a shooting event was there, just had shoulder surgery. Matter of fact that is where I met you first time. A good shoot.

Rick

[Don McDowell]

Heck bring your trapdoor, Jim usually has a trapdoor class.
I'm like you, more time less responsibility, should be there unless it blizzards and the roads are closed...

[Rowdy Rick]

Heck bring your trapdoor, Jim usually has a trapdoor class.
I'm like you, more time less responsibility, should be there unless it blizzards and the roads are closed...

I wasn't aware they shot trapdoors there, I may just do that.

Rick

[Don McDowell]

There's usually 3 or 4 trapdoors on the line there.

[alfajim]

4 degrees and snowing pretty heavy this morning. Supposed to go thru tonite.
I always set mine on the upwind side of the target so there's less chance of an errant shot picking it off.
Doc's old trapdoor never ceases to amaze me, when you get the load to what the sights are regulated for, all you need do is set the correct yardage and shoot.

Don,

Good idea on placing on upwind side. I did that remembering your earlier advice. Those buffington sights are nice. At 200 and 400 yds it is right on the money elevation wise according to marked settings. Will test at 600 and 800 next to see how close the elevation markings are. Those Buffington sights are canted left to compensate for right hand rotational drift. Old dead guys were a lot smarter than we give them credit for Wild Bill says his trapdoor is the most fun gun he has ever owned, I don't disagree.

Rick

Rick as a trapdoor owner and soon to be shooter I am curious as to what loads you and Wild Bill are using in your trapdoors to utilize the trapdoors odd barrel config 3 grooves and lands? I have a 1879 in great shape and real good bore with the type 4 1879 rear sight I will be using at first and have all the parts to put together one for just shooting it is a 1886 barrel/receiver and lock plate also the buffington rear sight am preping all the parts for bluing and also some stock work. Right now for my first try out I am using loads of 68gr of Old e with the BACO 460405HB bullet WMLR primer and crimped as per Spence's book.
This gun is an heirloom hand me down from my grand father and great grand father it is a very nice rifle.

[Rowdy Rick]

[/quote]

Rick as a trapdoor owner and soon to be shooter I am curious as to what loads you and Wild Bill are using in your trapdoors to utilize the trapdoors odd barrel config 3 grooves and lands? I have a 1879 in great shape and real good bore with the type 4 1879 rear sight I will be using at first and have all the parts to put together one for just shooting it is a 1886 barrel/receiver and lock plate also the buffington rear sight am preping all the parts for bluing and also some stock work. Right now for my first try out I am using loads of 68gr of Old e with the BACO 460405HB bullet WMLR primer and crimped as per Spence's book.
This gun is an heirloom hand me down from my grand father and great grand father it is a very nice rifle.
[/quote]

AJ,

Wow, that would be great to have an heirloom trapdoor like that. First a disclaimer, I am new to trapdoors and that was my first shot at 400 yds. Surprised me.

Wild Bill and I both started with the Lee 405 gr gov. HB mold and both using GoX2F . Bill does really well with that bullet and mine shot pretty well with it also. The 84's according to Wolfs book were designed to use the 500 gr gov. style bullet. I think BACO has some similarfrom the same source they get their 405's that you are using, that may be a good place to start. Have heard some good things about guys using the old standard Lyman gov. bullet but mine throws one that is just a little small for my trapdoor. I have a Lyman postell that I "beagled" sp? out to a smitch larger diam. That is what the target was shot with I believe. I am going to try doing the same to the Lyman gov. bullet and see how that shoots. I need to slug the bore also.

I did paint the front sight white so it shows up better on my black gong.

I also am going to try casting some of the Lee 405's in maybe a 30-1 alloy, I think that may help with those. So I have more questions than answers

I used CCI BR2 primers because that is what I use for everything, eliminates one variable for me when working up a load. .030 vfw. Compressed to the bullet seating depth I wanted. Approx 65 grs.

Just getting started on trapdoor loads

Rick

[alfajim]

Thanks Rick for the reply. I made these loads to try the 10 shot offhand at a 100yrds for the schuten on line string measure contest to see how I do.
I plan to get and load up the 500gr bullets for when I try for longer yard shoots really want to try a 1000 with the other one when finished with the buffington sight.