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7 comments

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  • jonk
    I dunno but I gotta think this is a blackpowder cartridge; just fill the case to the bullet seat depth with FFG or cartridge grade powder and seat the bullet, making sure the powder compresses lightly. Am I right experts? Just a guess.

    "...hit your enemy in the belly, and kick him when he is down, and boil his prisoners in oil- if you take any- and torture his women and children. Then people will keep clear of you..." -Admiral of the Fleet Lord Fisher, speaking at the Hague Peace Conf
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  • Iconoclast
    Grady, I'm just going on memory here, but I believe the CF version was simply a local conversion changing the location of the firing pin. What the devil one would use for cases, I don't know, for the regular makers never made such a cartridge. Perhaps a hole drilled into the base of fired cases to accept a shotshell primer? And if so, would any of the old cases be safe to use - originals were BP loaded and most, if not all, would have had corrosive priming, so left unattended for 60 plus years, they are unlikely to be in good shape. I do know I would be damn sure to have the weapon checked carefully by a good smith before even thinking about loading for it. Beyond that, I'd agree with jonk, BP only on this.

    This is a good technical question to submit to the NRA - you are a member, right?



    Edited by - Iconoclast on 12/13/2002 09:12:38
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  • Xracer
    The original load for the .56-50 Spencer was 45 gr. of blackpowder behind a 350 grain bullet.

    If you're shooting it thru a Spencer carbine, it should be sized to .512, but where you'll get brass for it is beyond me!
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  • joeaf1911a1
    Grady: Never loaded for the 56-50 Spencer, but have done reloading
    for the 56-56 Spencer with a centerfire breechblock conversion that
    is or was available from NY (forget where exactly. I used cut down
    50-70 cases (centerfire naturally) with very good results as several
    of us did. I believe a 50-70 case just might be the answer when
    cut down to approx.1.165". Rim might have to be turned down a bit
    but would try it as is first. Also, butstock magazine tube follower
    on the 56 56 Spencer was pointed (not good for centerfire) so machined
    a flat mag follower.
    I can send you a copy of "Christopher Spencer's Horizontal Shot Tower" report from the Black Powder Report- Sept. 1985 and a copy
    American Rimfire Cartridges for demminsions if you wish. Send
    your "snail mail" adress by E mail if interested j3rdinf@comcast.net
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  • joeaf1911a1
    Just found the address for the centerfire breech block conversion.
    S&S Firearms 74-11 Myrtle Ave. Glendale NY 11385. Conversion breechblock is complete assembly.
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  • Iconoclast
    Grady, just saw a brief blurb in my IAA journal that some outfit called Ten-X is going to load this ammo for use in a repro Spencer to be made by some Italian company . . . not a lot of data, but that's the extent of it. Suggest you do some searching on that term and contact the NRA if you don't come up with anything; for sure, they would be included on any press releases of new product availability.
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  • wacowt
    Excellent article on Spencer loading at www.awod.com/gallery/probono/cwchas/spencer.html
    Cases are made from .50-70's.
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