CF conversions and brass

[Gus Hall]

Hello!
I'm new to Spencers and am trying to decide whether to get a repro or convert an original.  I am unclear if anyone makes a breachblock that works with Starline brass. Also, is the 56-50 SASS legal for main matches? I've read just enough of these posts to get me chomping at the bit and be dangerous to my wallet . Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[Appalachian Ed]

That Starline stuff hass too small of a rim to work in an original. Buffalo Arms, Rocky Mountain Cartridge, and Lodgewood all stock brass that will work in an original. Starline is made specifically for the Italian guns.

[Bead Swinger]

Some links, for the interested

56-56 Brass for originals:
Rocky Mountain Cartridge http://www.rockymountaincartridge.com/page5.html ~$44/box of 20
Buffalo Arms http://www.buffaloarms.com/browse.cfm?viewfrom=37&catid=38&step=2 ~ Each ($2.28); 20 ($36.00);  50 ($89.00); 100 ($173.00)

56-50 Brass for originals:
Rocky Mountain Cartridge http://www.rockymountaincartridge.com/page5.html ~$44/box of 20
Buffalo Arms http://www.buffaloarms.com/browse.cfm?viewfrom=37&catid=38&step=2 ~ Each ($2.50) 20 ($40.00) 50 ($95.00) 100 ($180.00)
Lodgewood http://www.lodgewood.com/cartridge.htm Each $2

The center-fire conversion blocks are still supplied by S&S Firearms in New York. http://www.ssfirearms.com/

I've used Buffalo Arms 56-56 brass in my 1860, and been very pleased with it. They're made from Starline 50-70 cases.

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[Tuolumne Lawman]

My understanding is that it is SASS lrgal to use an original 56-50 converted, just as it is SASS legal to use an original 1870s vintage .45 Colt SAA with a .454 bore and tin rimmed original cqases instead of a modern clone with a .452 bore and large rimmed modern cases.  They original uses essentially the same brass as the Armi Sport, with the exception of slightly larger rim than the clone.  The bore of an original 1865 model varies from .515 to .520, were the Armi Sport shoots a .512 to .515 bullet. Identicle powder charges, too.

If you get any grief from the RO, you might use my annology.  I used it to shoot a .56-56 1860 model as a main match gun, citing same gun, variation on caliber.

[Tuolumne Lawman]

PS, if you have an 1867 model Spencer with the central Lane extractor claw on the bottom instead of the side blade, you can use starline brass and a .515 soft lead bullet. They will swell a little on the fiest time, as they are slightly undersized for an original. You still need to use 4D dies for an original, as the Lyman Taylor's dies size them undersize for the original chamber.

[Gus Hall]

Thanks for the help all !
Decided to go with a repro, cheaper to buy and feed. As for SASS use, after reading Tuolumne Lawman's reply and several older posts, I consulted the SASS Shooters Handbook. (Duh, should have done that in the first place ) Seems .56-50 is allowed . Now all I have to decide is whether to put it on the plastic to get it here NOW or try and hold out till I can hand the dealer folding money.   (extra 3% for cc)

Thanks again
Gus