Spencer .45 Schofield

[Jimbo]

Need some help I have 3 guys in my Cav unit that have the Taylor Spencer in .45 Schofield and these things
don't feed worth a damn. We were at a live fire event last month and I used my 56-50 and had not problems
the whole weekend. I don't have any knowledge of the Schofield round so if anyone out there has debugged
theirs can they pass the loading data along so I can offer them some help.
Thanks,
Jimbo

[Two Flints]

Jimbo,

More information is needed on exactly what are the feeding problems?  Do you have any idea as to what cartridge loads are being used?  Need more info from your end

Two Flints

[Drydock]

There are so many factors involved, we really need more information.  I have a Spencer in .45 S&W, and it feeds fine when loaded with the Lee 230 Truncated cone.

-what ammunition were they using?  Bullet style, over all length.
-have the weapons been modified in any way? (Blade removal, etc)
-proper technique?  Spencers require a smooth continious stroke.

[KCSO]

You might want to check the magazine spring tension as for some reason the mag springs tend to go flat in these.  Other wise the Lee 250 RNFP works fine in mine. 

[Jimbo]

I will be see these guys this weekend and I will gather the required data.
Jimbo.

[Steel-eye Steve]

I have one of the .45 S&W Spencers with the paddle extractors. It is very OAL sensitive it likes 3.95.

[Jimbo]

That is where the converstation this weekend ended up on the OAL. Thanks for the info on OAL
of 3.95, that and a RNFP bullet should do the trick. Found out that SWC bullets were being used
by some with very bad resulst and the others just looked too long. Sure glad that my 56-50 has the Lane style extractor rather than the paddle type.
I also think that the crimp they are using is leaving a slight bluge so I suggested they back off a bit
and start over.

[Preston County Rider]

Jimbo - I have a .45 Sch and have been down this feeding problem before and am still there. My gun was worked on by Ron of Armi when I first picked it up ( from Cimmaron through my local dealer) and it still will not feed dependably. I load my own BP rounds and am continuing to look for that "perfect length" to ease the feeding problems. Will be trying the "pulled" spring at my local shoot this weekend (yes, I am slow but the Spencer is so right....most of the time). If your buddies figure out what works for them, please pass it along. It will be appreciated.
Thanks
PCR

[Drydock]

I suspect 90% of the problem was the Semi-wadcutters.  Thats just begging for problems in a Spencer.  A good RNFP or Truncated cone (I personaly believe the TC gives more clearance to the fixed center extractor in this caliber, IMHO have a cup of coffee on me)  will get you started, from there fiddle with OAL until you have a smooth feeding round.

Wait a second . . . 3.95 . . . is that in inchs?  Thats a .45-110!  Perhaps 1.95"?

[Jimbo]

Sorry I had a blonde monemt, must be 1.95 Duh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

[Preston County Rider]

FYI - Schofields are 1.40 as per Lee loading - have seen them as large as 1.43. I've been loading mine at the 1.35 size which may be a problem for the Spencer -

[Steel-eye Steve]

FYI - Schofields are 1.40 as per Lee loading - have seen them as large as 1.43. I've been loading mine at the 1.35 size which may be a problem for the Spencer -

Yes, My mistake 1.35 is the correct length sorry about that.

[Preston County Rider]

The .45 Schofiled Spencer had a workout yesterday during our SASS shoot - did better than before - stretching the spring seemed to help - the only problem came jacking the first round in - had to really muscle the lever both ways - but after she started smokin', she done all right. Yes, it is slow for a shoot and yes, it is a pain loading mid-shoot to finish the ten-round rifle section but, as a fellow shooter said "It looks so neat when the Spencer is fired and the black powder smoke fills the air" -
That is what it is all about, right?
PCR