I'm Officially a 30-Year-Old Boomer: Model 1873 Trapdoor Springfield

For Christmas 2022, Nathaniel gifted me a Model 1873 Trapdoor Springfield! He also loaded a considerable amount of ammunition to original US military specifications for .45-70-405. This marks my official entry into the world of black powder, and clearly makes me a literal 30-Year-Old Boomer.

In 2019, for our 20 Year "Friendaversary" I gave my best childhood friend, Nathaniel (aka Nate), an IMA Nepal Cache Martini-Henry in .577/450 in honor of the first move we watched together: Zulu (1964). He spent the better part of a year sourcing the components to load cartridges so he could shoot the rifle. During this time of research and scrounging on the internet, the Martini Henry became known as a "white elephant" or an "Apollo Program" between the two of us.

Three years later, in 2022, I have received my own "white elephant"/"Apollo Program" for me to embark into the world of black powder and reloading/handloading. Most people seem to start with one or the other, it appears I will take the plunge into both realms simultaneously.