Western Cartridge Co .45-70

2236 Views 3 Replies 3 Participants Last post by Shawn Crea, Mar 20, 2013

Tir Conail

Discussion Starter · Mar 19, 2013

I recently bought a 1973 mod Trapdoor Springfield. SN in 350,000 range should be about 1886 manufacture.

My question is.... my friend gave me some Western 45-70 GOVT. it doesn't have a box (a friend gave it to him) and he thought it might be for a lever gun.

All internet searches look like it's some antique Western Ammo. It's half copper jacket with a flat lead tip. It's crimped at the base of the bullet as well as at the top of the case. I don't have anymore info so I think I'm not gonna risk my new Trapdoor. But any input would be appreciated. I also have some brass for reloading and would like to do some light reloads just for fun shooting.

Thanks for looking at my post.

I am an amateur collector of military firearms.

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Tir Conail

Discussion Starter · #2 · Mar 19, 2013

I also have some ammo I can't identify. it's 3' long overall, about .44 cal and is a mildly stepped cartridge with what appears to be a paper wrap around the bullet.

One is marked "D" on top 12 85 on either side of the primer and "*" under the primer. One has no markings at all. One is marker with a crown above the primer, 7 88 either side of the primer and "MUNCHEN" UNDER THE PRIMER.

Any ideas??

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jawi_89

· #3 · Mar 20, 2013

Im not sure but if that rifle was made in 1886 it should be black powder only. Im not gonna say for that the Western cartridges arent black powder but I do believe that western came out after smokeless came out. I dont think I would shoot them in that gun at all. Im thinking also that if its a jacketed slug that would make it after smokeless powder to. My advice would be not shooting it and go out and but some black powder rounds. Maybe somebody else can chime in and let me know if Im right. You can check buffalo arms for ammoor black dawg ammo for 45-70 ammo.

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Shawn Crea

· #4 · Mar 20, 2013

Tir Conail said:
I don't have anymore info so I think I'm not gonna risk my new Trapdoor. But any input would be appreciated.

Your instincts are correct; I wouldn't shoot the ammo either.

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