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Cleaning: do a Google search on how to do clean a bore via electrolysis. Pretty simple to do an all you need is a steel rod, two pieces of copper wires and an old phone charger (cut end off,...

I'd use oil; less chance it would dry up / become stiff.

In my experience, no matter what chemical you use to clean the crud off the stock, the patina of the wood will be the same. Whether it's alcohol, acetone, turpentine, mineral spirits or aggressive...

Good suggestion to contact Bobby Hoyt about relining the original barrel. He as a lot of experience doing this. Regarding the M1870, the barrel should be 32.6" and the bands should be 18 5/8"...

Great photos and info about the Hall rifles and carbines in the original posters' collection. If you are interested in seeing an original Hall rifle in action, check out the following link to a...

I see around $400 in parts assuming the lock is in working order and the barrel isn't bent. In this case the sum of the parts seems to be worth more than the whole.

Just logged into Grafs website and it seems like they are already sold out.

Sounds like the burning powder was scorching the patch (old blue jean) and that you solved the problem by using an over-powder wad before the patched ball. If the patch/ball combination is tight, you...

Thanks for the reminder of Sgt. York's courage under fire. There is great information on the archeological search to locate the exact locations where York made his stands which you can find by...

A copper dish cleaning pad dipped in Kroil did the trick for me on my M1873. It was covered with the same baked on crud as described by the original poster. I picked one up at the supermarket. ...

Bolt Action Rifles by Frank De Haas, p. 104 (about the British Enfield)
"Manufacturing tolerances for both rifles and ammunition were generous during the war, which in no way affected the rifle for...

Too many guys give up on a "poor" shooter that keyholes the target at 25-50yds, and take the easy way out and rebarrel the rifle. You end up with a big bill and a rifle that is no longer an original...

Congratulations on your "new" trapdoor. Not surprised to hear that Al Frasca did you right and that you love the rifle. As for feeding your trapdoor, check out the "Shooters Page" link on Frasca's...

tbryan,
Have you tried low velocity cast lead bullet loads? The bore on these rifles varied somewhat so a .308 jacket bullet might not be the best fit for the bore of your rifle. You could try...

Did you look at the rifles up for sale on Al Frasca's website? For a little more than the one in front of you you can pick up a good representative M1884, directly from one of the experts to boot.

Hi Rich,

Doing the oil scrub with linseed oil dipped in 0000 steel wool should be enough to restore the dry wood. If you haven't started yet, I suggest that the first scrub is done with a 50/50...

I have a Pedersoli Brown Bess. It is pricey but high quality. Fun to shoot. They turn up used from time to time on GB, to save you a few bucks vs. buying a new one.

I missed this thread the first time around. Now that it's popped up again I figure I'd add my two cents since I have some experience shooting "fat" bullets in an M1917. My Eddystone with original...

Nice pick up. Let us know how it shoots.

I agree with Rick and Rick in that chemical paint stripper is the way to go to remove old varnish without damaging the wood and cartouches. The key is to avoid any use of abrasives; just wipe off...

From the information I read on the Trapdoor Collector website, by 1889 the Buffington sight would have been the original sight mounted on that rifle. It is also written that the 1884 dated...

Check out the Shooter's Page on the Trapdoorcollector website for good info on load data (and how to use the Buffington sight)

http://www.trapdoorcollector.com/shooterstext.html

Looks the same as the M1868 Trapdoor tool as pictured on Al Frasca's website www.trapdoorcollector.com

http://www.trapdoorcollector.com/4-30Tool.html

Nice shooting. I disagree with the comment that your results sat 50yds are "meaningless". 50ys, 200yds, the distance is irrelevant for "serious" trapdoor shooters. In my opinion, a serious trapdoor...

I don't know specifically about the Ultramax Cowboy loads but I shoot light handloads (23 gr. Alliant 2400) with a 405 gr hollow base lead bullet and these hit 10" high at 50 yards with the battle...