Bote,

I think the recoil is pretty mild actually.  No more than my SMLE or 1903. BP is more of a push than a kick I think and generates significantly less pressure than smokeless.

You can load smokeless loads but I had no luck with it and hard cast bullets. There are guys who do well well with them so if that's your preference then I'd start looking for some in reloading manuals or online. Just make sure the loads are for Trapdoor Springfield rifles and not Marlin or similar rifles that shoot 45-70. A Trapdoor cant handle the pressures that a lot of later or more modern rifles can handle.

I enjoy BP and don't think it's hard to clean especially in a Trapdoor. I enjoy BP so much I just bought a Martini Henry to shoot.

Stretch