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50-70 springfield reloading

pablom
Does anyone know if there are any safe 50-70 loads using smokeless powder? If so can you list some? These would be used in a trapdoor or a rolling block. Thanks Paul
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  • 1KYDSTR
    Check the Paintball forum here on GB...I think there are a bunch of reloaders there under cover! Check also www.reloadersnest.com.

    "When I cease learning...I'm dead"(Me)
    "When I was 14 I used to marvel at how ignorant my old man was...by the time I was 21 I was truelly amazed at how much the old bugger had learned in the intervening 7 years!" Samuel Clemens
    "History is written by winners"(Patton)
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  • ballardpacific
    Buy "Cartridges of the World" by Barnes. He gives loads that are reputed to duplicate BP loads, and I have used his loads for the 38-50 Ballard, 40-70 Sharps straight, 40-63 Ballard, 44 Russian etc, all in original guns, and have never had any indications of over-pressure. I would be a lot more confident with a rolling block than with my Ballard, as it is a pretty strong action. Read Barnes carefully before you proceed. He seems to dote on 4198 for this purpose. I fill the case above powder with corn meal. Have heard since I started doing it that this is dangerous for some reason, but have not tracked down the why, nor had any problems with the technique. One of the problems I have with Barnes is that I occasionally have trouble matching bullet to powder. After you've been at it a while you begin to feel your way around a bit, and it is not quite such a hair-raising experience to touch off that first round. As always, impecable reloading procedure is critical. Double loads are an easy mistake to make, and, chances are, you only get to fail this way once. As the 20th century began there were loads around for the 19th century guns. It is, I believe, do-able and safe if done with caution and common sense. Be aware that any little changes in your cartridge, such as cardboard wads, grease cookies, cartridge length etc are to be handled with care, and learn the signs of over-pressure so that you can catch the condition before it catches you.
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  • GaBob
    I have used CTG Pyrodex in 50-70 with 450 gr Cast Bullet. I used 32.5 to 37.5 gr CTG Pyrodex

    Keep Your Powder Dry
    NRA Life Member
    The only criminal class that is native to the United States is congress.
    MARK TWAIN
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  • shooter93
    Get a copy of Shooting the 50-70 by Croft Barker. Buffalo Arms stocks it. You won't regret it.
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  • joeaf1911a1
    In my 1998 Accurate Arms Powder reloading book it shows smokeless powder
    loads for many old rifles, including the 50-70 Govt. I have loaded for
    the Remmington Rolling Block (original) rifle using their #5744 smokeless powder with good results. However I usually go 10 percent under their sugested charge for safety sake. Bullet should be soft lead.
    Barrel should be slugged for correct size as they vary. Incidentally,
    a trimmed WAY down 50-70 case is ideal for loading the 56-56 Spencer
    repeater(after installing a centerfire breech block which is available).
    Now that is a real fun gun to shoot.
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  • pablom
    Thanks folks for all the posts.
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