Turning 50/70 brass in to 56/50

[G.W. Strong]

I just got my original Spencer back from the gunsmith. Now I am interested in turning 50/70 brass in to 56/50 for my original Spencer. Can anyone give help in this?

[G.W. Strong]

I should be more specific.  I have read in another thread of 1.165 as the case length but How to you effectively cut them?

[Trailrider]

It depends on what tools you have available to you. One way is to use a 1/2-in. expansion bolt inserted in the mouth of the case. Then you can use a tubing cutter to make the rough cut. But you will then need a case trimmer with a large enough collet to hold the rim of the .50-70 brass. Forster used to make one, but I haven't checked with them in years. Another possibility is to obtain a case trimmer/sizing die, use a razor saw across the top of the die. Not sure if CH or RCBS makes them. Since you are loading .56-50, you may or may not need to inside neck ream the brass. It is also advisable to anneal the case mouth, no more than half-way down the length of the remaining brass.  I've done that by setting a pill bottle filled with shot and water (to keep it from floating. Place the bottle in a cooking pot, aboard a lazy susan you can probably buy at a hardware or cooking store. Fill the pot with water so the level comes halfway up the case. Use a propane torch, turning the pot on the lazy susan. When the brass discolors, then knock it off the pill bottle into the water. Hopefully, you won't need to turn down the rims. If you do, you will need a lathe or drillpress. Using either, you probably need to use the lag bolt to hold the case while you use a file to reduce the diameter of the rim.  Hope this helps...

[Two Flints]

Hopalong, shame on you    try this link:

http://www.cascity.com/forumhall/index.php/topic,40010.0.html

You should have checked the SORI thread for answers

Two Flints

[Eggman]

This is an important topic. I'm still ridiculed and abused for the esoteric .50-70 cases I cut with a hacksaw and still use in individual comp.
Check N-SSA BB for progress on the Spencer team match.