Long range Side matches in SASS

Hoot-3rd Ga · January 13, 2009, 07:05:45 PM

Gentlemen: I know a lot of you boys sound like die-hard cowboy action shooters. Have any of you ever shot a 56-50 Spencer rifle in the long range rifle caliber side matches? If not, have you ever talked to anybody that has? I am planning to do it myself soon. I was wondering how a Spencer made out against the "high-tone" crowd shooting 45-70 Sharps rifles and Winchester High Walls? Some of our local matches are at 100yds. and other places have 200 yd. matches. Has anybody chronographed heavy bullets over a full case of black powder? Hoot - 3rd Ga

Herbert · January 13, 2009, 11:44:38 PM

with original spencer carbine i have wone matches at 100meters and 200 meters i have found sights to be the handycap i think spencer can hold it own up to 300 meters with any military style BPC rifle eye sight is my limiting factor once you have got range figerd rifle can do it

Bead Swinger · January 14, 2009, 04:18:31 PM

I've never tried it. 'course I couldn't get my 45-70 to shoot well either the one time I did try 'long-range'

I have a 56-56, and I wouldn't trust my ammunition to be that good; also, it's only 33g of FF, not 45. Maybe I will!

Willie Dixon · January 14, 2009, 04:35:54 PM

I'm looking forward to doing the long range matches myself. It'll be fun to do. Keep us posted on how the Spencer turns out! Also, are you using a Carbine or a full rifle?

Hoot-3rd Ga · January 14, 2009, 05:40:25 PM

Bead Swinger: Use a drop tube to get "more" powder in the case if you aren't already doing that. Avoid what I am calling the "corn flakes crunch" when compressing the load. Anything close to a firmly seated bullet over the powder, groups VERY tight at 50 yds. Seated bullets that "crush the powder excessively" give reasonable groups, but not awesome groups. I know about 56-56 chamberings, but have zero experience with them. I am going to work on 100 yd groups this coming weekend. It takes time to get everything right. I am in agreement with Herbert that persistance pays off. Sometimes you have to go in new directions to find that "perfect" load. You are correct about making quality uniformly consistant rounds. I think you will be surprized how well it will do. Hoot - 3rd Ga

Hoot-3rd Ga · January 14, 2009, 05:49:55 PM

Willie: I have both the rifle and the carbine. I use the carbine in the N-SSA to shoot 50yd and 100 yd team matches. The barrel has been relined by R.A. Hoyt to make it a wonderful little shooter of shorter lightweight 350 gr. bullets. However, I plan to use the rifle in the long range SASS side matches. I will keep you posted. Hoot - 3rd Ga

Willie Dixon · January 15, 2009, 12:14:09 AM

Sounds like the perfect combination there Hoot! Just like what I would like. I also want the Sharps because of my third great Grand Uncle, and the Springfield because I've always been a fan of those.

Hoot-3rd Ga · January 15, 2009, 09:35:23 AM

Willie: It is a good combination, but at some point this Spring I will sell the 56-50 Armisport carbine. It's a great little shooter, but I don't need two Spencers as much as I might need a 40-65 Sharps or a 38-55 Sharps for the single shot long range buffalo side matches. I am waiting to see how the Spencer rifle does at 100 and 200yds. Hoot - 3rd Ga

Willie Dixon · January 17, 2009, 02:24:19 PM

the Sharps are a great gun, when I'm working on my barrel and stocks class I'll be taking the "action" from an American-made Sharps replica and build her myself to save some $$$. That and c'mon, how many people in those rifle building classes are going to build a 1874 Sharps!?! LOL

looking forward to hearing your reports, as you can see from my sig, hehe, it's official now! Spencer Carbine enroute as we speak!