Author Topic: H&R "officer's model" trapdoor  (Read 1888 times)

Offline LongWalker

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H&R "officer's model" trapdoor
« on: February 06, 2022, 11:28:19 AM »
I've wasted enough time trying to get a trapdoor up and running, so I"m just going to buy a shooter this month.  One option I'm considering is the old H&R "Officer's Model".   For purposes of GAF competition, what is the consensus on these?  How are they with BP (probably carbine loads)?

Thanks,
Jim
In my book a pioneer is a man who turned all the grass upside down, strung bob-wire over the dust that was left, poisoned the water, cut down the trees, killed the Indian who owned the land and called it progress.  Charles M. Russell

Offline Quick Fire

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Re: H&R "officer's model" trapdoor
« Reply #1 on: February 06, 2022, 03:12:00 PM »
I had a carbine. Didn't really appreciate BP. Other than that I loved it.
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Offline Drydock

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Re: H&R "officer's model" trapdoor
« Reply #2 on: February 06, 2022, 04:54:54 PM »
I've got one, good shooter, works fine with Olde Eynesford BP, works better with 2f 777.  Locking latch can be a problem, but solutions are easy.  Reccomend you read this thread in the Single Shot Forum: https://www.cascity.com/forumhall/index.php?topic=66072.0
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Re: H&R "officer's model" trapdoor
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Offline DeaconKC

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Re: H&R "officer's model" trapdoor
« Reply #3 on: February 06, 2022, 05:35:00 PM »
I've got a Henry Single shot in 45-70 and really like it. Haven't tried it with BP but is very accurate with Accurate 5744 31.0 grains under a 300 grain lead bullet.
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Offline Wooly Dan

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Re: H&R "officer's model" trapdoor
« Reply #4 on: February 07, 2022, 08:33:57 AM »
I have the H & R officers model and have shot it at national last few years. I love it. I shoot trail boss with 300 grain bullets   No problem knocking down targets. I have loaded BP and like the trail boss better. Will say I may go to BP just because I can’t get the trail boss and it will not be available for another year. If you find the right load this is a fun gun to shoot.  Good luck. 

Offline smoke

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Re: H&R "officer's model" trapdoor
« Reply #5 on: February 08, 2022, 08:54:25 PM »
I've got one.  An older H&R.  I love mine.  I will have to say that the Vernier sight is not the best.  Looks cool and with my front sight that has been slightly built up, it is a good shooter.

Get one and you won't be sorry.
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Offline St. George

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Re: H&R "officer's model" trapdoor
« Reply #6 on: February 08, 2022, 09:14:34 PM »
Mine has an original 'Rifle' rear sight and a checkered walnut pistol grip - basically the Model 1875 - and uses smokeless as well as 'Trail Boss'.

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Offline Dave T

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Re: H&R "officer's model" trapdoor
« Reply #7 on: February 09, 2022, 09:14:19 AM »
...and uses smokeless as well as 'Trail Boss'.
Scouts Out!

Last I heard Trail Boss was smokeless powder.  Am I missing something or did you mean 'black powder as well as Trail Boss'.  Inquiring minds want to know!  (smile)

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Offline LongWalker

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Re: H&R "officer's model" trapdoor
« Reply #8 on: February 09, 2022, 10:09:04 AM »
 Thanks for all the replies, guys.  I'm tempermentally disinclined to shoot smokeless out of a trapdoor, but the smokeless comments were interesting--I'm wondering if the rifling form is a factor in folks' results?

Heading out today to hit some local shops.  Planned for as last month but I had to take the Covid detour. 
In my book a pioneer is a man who turned all the grass upside down, strung bob-wire over the dust that was left, poisoned the water, cut down the trees, killed the Indian who owned the land and called it progress.  Charles M. Russell

Offline St. George

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Re: H&R "officer's model" trapdoor
« Reply #9 on: February 09, 2022, 10:47:51 AM »
H&R designed them for smokeless - at that time, black powder just wasn't given thought beyond muzzleloader use.

C&WAS was the instigator for the resurrection of black powder-loaded rounds.

Being big and fluffy, Trailboss works well as a cleaner powder for those who don't like the idea of clean-up involved with black powder - and to fill a case safely without using fillers.

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Offline Pitspitr

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Re: H&R "officer's model" trapdoor
« Reply #10 on: February 09, 2022, 11:13:46 AM »
I'm tempermentally disinclined to shoot smokeless out of a trapdoor, but the smokeless comments were interesting--I'm wondering if the rifling form is a factor in folks' results?

I normally only shoot Black Powder through my trapdoors, but the H&R is an exception. I never tried BP in it because looking at the rifling in it I never believed it would be successful. However; after reading Drydock's comments I'm thinking I should give it a try. It would be a good excuse to get it out again. I haven't shot it since it was repaired after it developed the ability to auto-eject. It was a lot faster to shoot as an auto-ejector, but it was rather disconcerting having the empty cases fly past your ear.  ::) :o
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Offline Drydock

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Re: H&R "officer's model" trapdoor
« Reply #11 on: February 09, 2022, 01:25:34 PM »
The 8 groove rifling H&R used is more sensitive to fouling than the originals 3 groove,  but with a good bullet design and soft fouling powder like OE or Swiss can be made to work just fine.
Civilize them with a Krag . . .

Offline LongWalker

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Re: H&R "officer's model" trapdoor
« Reply #12 on: February 09, 2022, 10:24:26 PM »
I don't recall ever putting much more than ~100 BP rounds through a trapdoor in an afternoon, but bore fouling wasn't an issue.  I don't recall ever trying that with a modern rifle--sounds like I might want to stick with an antique.

I visited 2 gun shops and 3 pawn shops today; no trapdoors.  For that matter, no single shots or BP cartridge guns, and no primers or percussion caps. . . .  One more pawn shop, and maybe a gun shop, to check before I go with Gbroker or see what Mr. Frasca might have.  I've got 45-70 brass and dies, bullets (and a mould, but still packed up from the move), so I should be set once I find a rifle.
In my book a pioneer is a man who turned all the grass upside down, strung bob-wire over the dust that was left, poisoned the water, cut down the trees, killed the Indian who owned the land and called it progress.  Charles M. Russell

Offline LongWalker

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Re: H&R "officer's model" trapdoor
« Reply #13 on: February 10, 2022, 06:58:14 PM »
To follow-up yesterday's post: after visiting my last "local" sources, I took the Gunbroker route.  I HATE trying to judge bore condition from pictures, but did the best I could.  There will be some minor stuff to work on, but should have it shooting shortly after arrival.

So now I wait. . . .
In my book a pioneer is a man who turned all the grass upside down, strung bob-wire over the dust that was left, poisoned the water, cut down the trees, killed the Indian who owned the land and called it progress.  Charles M. Russell

Offline Drydock

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Re: H&R "officer's model" trapdoor
« Reply #14 on: February 10, 2022, 07:50:05 PM »
Almost everything I've gotten off GB cleaned up a lot better than the pictures looked.  I don't know why these folks don't realize that a simple patch to swab out 50+ years of dust and wool fuzz from sitting in the coat closet helps a LOT!.
Civilize them with a Krag . . .

Offline Pitspitr

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Re: H&R "officer's model" trapdoor
« Reply #15 on: February 11, 2022, 06:20:07 AM »
Almost everything I've gotten off GB cleaned up a lot better than the pictures looked.  I don't know why these folks don't realize that a simple patch to swab out 50+ years of dust and wool fuzz from sitting in the coat closet helps a LOT!.
>:( SHUSH. DON'T TELL PEOPLE THAT! It'll mess up the market for us.

I just bought a modern Remington muzzleloader and it got here yesterday. It looked good in the pictures. It looks almost unfired in person ( or in gun...you know what I mean  ;D )
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Offline Jack Wagon

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Re: H&R "officer's model" trapdoor
« Reply #16 on: February 11, 2022, 09:37:48 AM »
I found my trapdoor sporter at Dixie Gun Works, mailed it right to the house. Jw
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Offline Pitspitr

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Re: H&R "officer's model" trapdoor
« Reply #17 on: February 11, 2022, 10:20:31 AM »
WOW that's beautiful
I remain, Your Ob'd Servant,
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Offline LongWalker

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Re: H&R "officer's model" trapdoor
« Reply #18 on: February 15, 2022, 02:47:36 PM »
Rifle arrived, relatively safely--looks ok even if the hammer spur was sticking out the side of the box.  Refinished, traces of cartouches on the wood, metal painted black.  Not sure what they were thinking there....  Details to follow after some cleanup.
In my book a pioneer is a man who turned all the grass upside down, strung bob-wire over the dust that was left, poisoned the water, cut down the trees, killed the Indian who owned the land and called it progress.  Charles M. Russell

Offline Drydock

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Re: H&R "officer's model" trapdoor
« Reply #19 on: February 15, 2022, 05:25:44 PM »
Look forward to seeing it.
Civilize them with a Krag . . .

 

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