56-50 Spencer wins award

[PJ Hardtack]

In our recent annual CAS event, a visiting shootist used his repro 56-50 Spencer carbine with 340 gr bullets and 5744 in Star-Line brass. He suffered one malfunction caused by a faulty cartridge.

We were enthralled watching him operate the carbine, reloading it with a 'speed loader' tube of his own design for 10 shot stages.
He shot a pair of real Colt .45s along with the carbine, firing 250 gr loads with 8 grs of Unique.

In recognition, we awarded him the 'Spirit of the Game' plaque for his efforts.

[Two Flints]

PJ,

You wrote, "reloading it with a 'speed loader' tube of his own design for 10 shot stages", any more info on his speed loader?  Photos would be nice to see. Is the guest a member of SSS?  Does he know about our terrific forum

Two Flints

[PvtGreg]

I'd be interested too.  I use a repro Spencer rifle often in our matches & have used a Blakeslee box, but have found individually loading three is faster.

My pistols are converted 1860 colts, an 1873 double hammered shotgun and the Spencer or a Henry.  I use 5.4 gr of trail boss under 200 gr .452 flat nose bullets for the colts and the Henry.  I use 8.2 gr trail boss under 350 gr lead in cut down 32 gauge shotgun brass.  Those 350s really ring the steal!

When using the Spencer I stage three loose 56-50s which I individually reload after I expend 7 out of the mag.

[PJ Hardtack]

I believe that he is a SASS member. He is a for real working Cowboy and wrangler. Looks like a movie Cowboy with his bushy, grey handle bar 'stache. Don't think he subscribes to this forum. Too busy with his horses.

I can get the details on his speed loader, but what I recall was a plastic tube he hauled out of his frock coat, holding the Spencer magazine tube under his arm to reload.

He uses a side hammer SxS and refuses to wear a shotshell bandolier or slide as being un-Cowboy, loading his shotgun from shells in the pockets of whatever he is wearing. Slows him down, but he ain't doin' this fer speed.

Come to think of it, he's goin' the NCOWS route, and I admire him for it. I may follow suit.

[RattlesnakeJack]

Sounds like a "kindred spirit", Todd?  Did you get a photo of him, perchance?

[PJ Hardtack]

Me taking a camera to a shoot is an act of futility. I never have the presence of mind to use it. 'Sides, even if I did take pics, I'd have to learn how to post them. We did have a reporter there who took a lot of pics and has promised a good report in the local rag.

You might remember him - "Lone Butte Buckaroo". He lives in (guess where .. ?) Lone Butte near 100 Mile House. Now that a major equine event date has been changed, he intends to come up here to shoot on a monthly basis.

I regret that our club is looking at getting more targets that measure 16"x16". We had complaints about our heart, spade, diamond, club pistol targets being too small and too far away to hit at 10 yds. This caters to the speed shooters, and I'm against that on principle. I'm all for smaller targets that actually require a measure of marksmanship skill.

However, we all know that NO target is too big or too close to miss, just like it says in the book. I'm pushing for some 'man-on-man' events like we did in the era of 'one gun'. They're more like a gun fight and provide a competitive outlet for the more aggressive.