Lucretia Borgia - Bill Cody's Sweetheart

filmjunkie4ever · Sep 12, 2015

Read a great article on Buffalo Bill Cody's favorite hunting rifle in Guns of the Old West magazine. He used a Trapdoor Springfield in .50-70 for most of his buffalo hunting. He called her "Lucretia Borgia" after the Former Femme Fatale.

I have never been interested in a Trapdoor much but after reading that article, I believe a BPCR of some type in a larger caliber (.40-.50 caliber) just jumped to the top of the list.

Blackpowder weapons have always had a place in my heart.

Rol_P · Sep 12, 2015

When I was a young fella my Dad picked up a 50-70 trap door Springfield. It was a converted Springfield musket with a barrel liner clearly visible and obviously the action converted. It was a HOOT to shoot, (pun intended) smoke all over. I think that Dixie Gunworks was the only place we could find brass for it, back in the '60's it was about a buck apiece...

It was traded off for an old Tower Musket that had been in the family, given away and recovered by trading.

You probably realize that the trap door action is not as strong as a falling block or modern action.
Black powder is definitely fun to shoot but work to clean after each outing.

Good luck with whatever you choose. Rol

26NosFan · Sep 12, 2015

I would love to have one of the 1885s in .45-90 produced a few years ago. They made it in 45-70 and 45-65 too.

filmjunkie4ever · Sep 14, 2015

Yeah any classic single shot would be welcome.

Going to only shoot BP loads in it anyways.

Thanks for the input.

preacher · Sep 16, 2015

As a child of the 60's I'd have to name mine "Lucretia McEvil"! ha I've read of the use of the 50/70 on Indians, that had to put an awesome hole in one! ha Interesting that when it came to fighting Indians, the known buffalo calibers easily handled the Indians horse, so it just made sense to use them, even in a Cavalry Carbine (45-70) and the long barreled 45 Colt.

Elkman · Sep 16, 2015

I have a Ruger #1 stainless, in 45-90, with full smokeless powder loads its capable of reaching the lower end of .458 WM performance. Even with a muzzle brake, recoil is substantial. I would like to trade it for a .264 win or similar bolt rifle.