Pedersoli trapdoor blowing open

[Doc Holloman]

I shot a 30 rounds through my Pedersoli Trapdoor carbine today and twice had the bolt black open up on me when fired.  I was shooting Cody Dixon targets at 50 yards, so I was using a light load -- 1100fps at 300gr.  It do not open up enough to either eject the shell or partially cock the hammer.  I have heard of this happening with an H&R ( round cam slipping), but not with a Pedersoli .  Any thoughts?
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One additional detail:  I just had a broken firing pin replaced . 
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[Ranch 13]

 Might want to google up fixes for the H&R trapdoor. But before you go to messing with it I'ld suggest contacting Pedersoli and visit with them about the problem.
Also it might be helpful to know what the load details are. Not all 1100ish fps loads are going to be running at the same chamber pressure.

[Doc Holloman]

Load was 11 grains of Unique with a dacron wad.

I'm familiar with the fix for the H&R as I also have an H&R Carbine that has had the fix done.  But as I said, I never heard of this being an issue with the Pedersoli.

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[Abilene]

Howdy Doc.  How old is the rifle?  Possibly a warranty issue?

[Galloway]

Unique is pretty fast you might consider a slower powder. Also if possible you might try stretching the latch spring a bit by hand. Just and idea good luck

[Doc Holloman]

Howdy Doc.  How old is the rifle?  Possibly a warranty issue?

Abilene:   I got it second hand off Gunbroker a year ago.  Shot it for Cody Dixon most of last year. I doubt there is warranty protection and Pedersoli doesn't have a good reputation for product support. 

I have my H&R that I can use for matches in the meantime, but wanted to have both ready for when I run the "Horse Soldier" side match at Whoopin.  Actually considering how fast Colonel Callan loads and fires his trapdoor when I shoot Cody Dixon against him, like yesterday, I might just shift to Cody Dixon lever gun.  LOL. 

[Doc Holloman]

Unique is pretty fast you might consider a slower powder. Also if possible you might try stretching the latch spring a bit by hand. Just and idea good luck

Which powder would you suggest?  I use 3031 in my .45-70 long range loads with 405gr bullets (in a High Wall) .  I need to keep the velocity to around 1100fps for the short range (50-60yards) Cody Dixon targets  with my Carbine or it will shoot over the target at the lowest sight settings.

[Galloway]

Ive only used BP and 3031 so not much help there.

[wildman1]

I would not use smokiless powder in a trapdoor nor would I knowingly buy one that had smokiless powder used in it.
wM1

[Kent Shootwell]

Relying on the spring to hold the latch shut doesn’t sound like the way to address the problem. The latch should be a mechanical action with the spring only making the latch move into position.

[Mogorilla]

I use unique in my 45 colt and 6 grains is a heavy load in it and I am pushing a 255 grain bullet.  That said,I have a pedersoli trapdoor rifle and have never had this issue but i lost the sight while shooting at GAF grand muster (luckily after shooting was done).  Any way, contacted Pedersoli directly and got a helpful reply and a replacement sight. Also had contacted Dixie and spoke to the gunsmith and bought a 2nd just in case.  Had good response from the folks in Italy.   

[Niederlander]

That sounds like an issue with the rifle, not the load.  Trapdoors are much stronger than they're given credit for.  As was pointed out, all the spring does is move the cam into position.  It's not latching correctly for some reason.

[Johnson Barr]

Possible headspace issue......breech block not closing completely?  At 50 yards a lighter powder charge and 300gr slug will ding steel just fine.

[Drydock]

Disassemble the latch  and throughly clean out the cam recess to insure full travel of the cam. And lose the Dacron wad. You don't need it, and it raises pressure. 

[Pitspitr]

When my H&R did the same thing, it wasn't that the cam had turned on the shaft, but that the weld on the thumb piece had broken and the thumb piece had turned on the shaft which didn't allow the shaft to turn far enough to fully engage the cam.  You might check that