A bunch of Spencer questions

[Galloway]

I've always liked Spencers but dont know anything about loading for them so here are some questions. Thanks in advance

1. Does anyone offer factory ammo in 56-50, if so how much is it?

2. Does anyone offer brass thats ready to go without trimming or forming?

3. Can brass refired simply by running it through the dies and reloading?

4. Does anyone sell pre cast bullets in bulk online?

5. Are there any other obstacles I should know about as far as reloading?

[Two Flints]

Galloway,

My best suggestion for you would be to read as many of the past threads as you can that deal with loading for the Spencer.  On page one of this forum are several very good discussions on loading for the 56-50.  Take a look at this link on page two:
http://www.cascity.com/forumhall/index.php/topic,12325.0.html 
and then go on from this one.  There is certainly enough information on SSS to give you the information that will help answer the questions you have listed.

I'm sure members of SSS who are loading their own will respond to your questions in time.  Ten-X Ammunition, go to this link,  http://www.tenxammo.com/files/Shooter_Direct_Pricing_1-1-07a2.pdf       
currently sells factory ammo in 56-50 both BP and smokeless; other commercial loaders for the Spencer 56-50 would also include Gads Custom Cartridges http://www.gadcustomcartridges.com/#obsolete among others.

Two Flints

[Galloway]

Thanks pard very good info.

[matt45]

Howdy, Galloway
I would reckon the first question to ask you would be are you purchasing a Spencer, and what kind?  If you are getting an Armi-Sport (Cimmaron or Taylor's are the major importers) then Starline sells brass.  I don't know if you are familiar w/ their product, but it almost never requires any sizing or trimming.  As to the originals or the Romano's, I don't believe the Starline will work.

As to reloading the cartridge, assuming you are getting the Armi-sport, the 56-50 is very straight forward.  However, there are the usual problems associated w/ these old cartridges w/ huge rims.  So your old loading blocks, hand primers, etc won't work.  Things that will work on the 50-70 will work on the 56-50.

Midway sells bullets that should work- I have not used them, as they are a soft alloy, and Spencers, regardless of there make, seem to like hard alloys best.

Finally, Two Flints gave you the best advice- there is a huge amount of info on the older threads.  No use re-inventing the wheel, and put into better fashion than I can state.

[Tuolumne Lawman]

Howdy,

Starline will not work in the originals .  The rims are too small in diameter where the extractor blade will sometimes skip past the rim (unless you have an 1867 model with central bottom mounted a Lane "claw" extractor) and in the 56-56 originals, Starlines are too small in diameter.