New Spencer 56-50 arrived: Read my report, here

[El Tigre]

End of July I ordered my Spencer Rifle at my local gun smith and friend called Sharps Doctor here in Germany.
Mid of August he called me to pick up the gun and what I found in the box was a real fine rifle with an outstanding wood stock and finishing. The rifle was produced by Armi Sport Italy and I was surprised of the good quality.
The only what I criticised was the trigger. I need approx 8 kg = 16 pounds to fire the gun.
All other components I ordered in the US at Track of the Wulf as 100 cases 56-50, SPG lube, reloading die and  .512 sizing die. 
I decided to use the Rapine 350 T because of the big and deep grease grove to keep the needed grease. After shooting several years with black powder I found out  that grease is an important factor! From my point of view the Rapine 350 T is the best choice for the Spence. Big grease grove and the crimp grove is defining the right over all length of the cardridge.

With the first Cartridges I made the rifle doesn't works. I move the action solely  to see how the mechanisms works and that was the problem. So it was not the rifle it was me.
Reloading:
Best results I have with 34 Grain Schweizer 1 which normally is be used for pistol loads. The 56-50 brass has no big volume so I decided to us Schweizer 1 to have enough power behind the bullet.
I tried also Schweizer 2 and 4, Schweizer 1 works wonderful.
Between the powder and bulle I have a thin card to protect the bullet from the heat of the burning powder.
I crimp the brass into the crimp grove of the Rapine 350 T.
Primer is CCI 250.

First shots:
As already mentioned the trigger is terrible.
There is no creeping, no , the trigger comes dry, means directly but the force you have to apply is to much. I will change it later.
For the first shot I use the turned down sight and the bullet goes under the target. If I used the turned up sight the bullet goes above the target. Than I found a third position. I turned the sight up moved the slider in the upper position. With this position you will find a third notch at the base and it works perfect for the 50 Meter = 55 yards range.

I can fire 20 round w/o any cleaning in between the shots and the accuracy will stay in an reasonable  range of 4 Inches diameter covering all shots.
 
Summary
I am very satisfied with my  Armi Sport Spencer Rifle and I never regret to take the decision to by one.








                      (photos re-posted by Two Flints - bigger is better )

[kurt250]

i have had both the rifle and carbine for about 4 years. both are armi-sport. they both had heavy triggers. i had to have those reduced a little. have enjoyed them both but seem to shoot the rifle a little more  often for some reason. my load is
a buffalo arms lead bullet 350 grain with deep grease grove, spg lube, 40 grains of 2f goex black powder, fed 215 primer. get 42 shots out of it before i clean.thats how many fit in my cartridge box. who would have thought they would make a reproduction of the spencer ten years ago. now if they would only make a evans rifle. kurt250