Still learning, Spencer Question?

[Dana]

I'm now heading toward an Original vs after market rifle, but the more I read, the more questions I have? first is the years, 1860,1865 and 1867. Is there one more desirable than the other for shooting, next is the Experimental Extractor that is on some of the later models, will the center fire block work with all the rifles, is there a problem with any of the extractors. I have been talking with different people about there rifles, prices very allot, so I'm trying to learn before i buy.

Thanks
Dana

[Two Flints]

Dana,

Follow this link and see two more Spencer Rifles at auction.  Click on the Spencer photos to get a larger view of what they look like.

http://historical.ha.com/common/search_results.php?Ntk=SI_Titles&Ntt=Spencer&Nty=1&N=49+792+4294953891&chkNotSold=0&Ns=

Two Flints

[Herbert]

As for shooting the originals the 56-50 chambering is by far the easiest to get shooting,models chamberd in this caliber are 1865,1867& NM,the Sprinfield conversions also have the barells relined for the 56-50,the variations in the extractor will not affect the center fire block butt the Lane extractor type will allow you to youse the Starline brass with no problems,the othe two extractor types are very good with the short blade type being a definent inprovment by adding strenth to the chamber area but are not garenteed to work with the Starline brass(I have tried the Starline brass in 12 difrent Spencers and it has worked well in all but others have reported problems)As for picking which modle best suits this is personal the carbine can feel awkward in the balance at fist but is very handy once you get youse to it,for me the rifle is much easer to shoot acuratly,the sporting rifle is the best but cost puts most people off,which ever modle you choose it is a very historic rifle put to youse in many actions around the world or just yoused to put food on the table,you will not be disapinted and it will only increase in value over the years

[Advertising]

[Hoot-3rd Ga]

Dana: By aftermarket Spencers......I trust you mean the reproduction Armisport Spencers. I have shot them for many years now. I thought the barrel's chamber and twist were the problem back in the beginning, but it turned out to be mostly using too light a bullet. Mine are extremely accurate today using a 425 grain bullet.  Unless you can get a reasonable price on an original with a barrel in acceptable condition.....................you would save quite a bundle of cash by buying the repro. I am thinking of shooting them as opposed to collecting them. Good Luck with whatever decision you make.

Hoot - 3rd Ga

[Two Flints]

Hoot,

Would you please give a bit more information other than the "425 grain bullet" comment you made in the above post?  Other dimensions for that particular bullet that you find to be "extremely accurate" should be mentioned for those of us who are still searching for the "best shooting bullet" to use in our Spencers.

Two Flints

[Herbert]

The load  Hoot is refering to is for the Armi Sports Spencer rifle with the 1 in 20 twist we have been yousing it now for nealy 2 years and is extreamly acurate,as it was Hoot that came up with the load I will let him give it out again,but I will explain why it work .For best acuracy you need to know groove diameter of your rifle (56-50 AP is .512)Twist rate(rifle is 1 in 20 carbine is 1 in 26)you can not change this but there are two other varibles you can change BULLET LENTH and VOLOCITY ,It works out well whith the 56-50 cartridge as the OAL of the cartridge dictates if the bullet lenth is longer the pouder charge is reduced hence the optume stability of the bullet is reached,to work this out it is best to have a chronagraph,I will give you a good load for the AS Spencer carbine as an example ,first BULLET ,a buffalow arms JIM515-440 .92 inch long bullet to get this to its best acuracy you will need a volicity of 674 fts,this is the catch in the carbine,to get that velocity and keep the OAL right you will have to heavly compress the BP,smokless will not be a problem(rembber to yous a compresion die to compress the BP to the right depth,do not compress with the bullet as this will distort the bullet and ruin acuracy)this load will be as acurate as you can get,rember if the lenth of the bullet is reduced the volocity has to be reduced also to levells that people will find extreamly slow but acuracy will improve a hell of a lot,you get nothing for free and you will never be able to duplicate the originals acuracy with the same weaight bullet and volicity unless the twist rate is changed but you can still have a very acurate low velocity target load,you will just have to judge bullet drops better