56-50 vs 45 colt

[cowboyjared]

I was looking at Cimmaron and Taylor and they have the Spencers in 45 colt and 56-50. I would like to have the  more historic ammo with the 56-50 but as of right now Im on a tight budget and I dont reload as of right now so Im leaning toward the 45 colt but I get the feeling that it wont be able to compete with 56-50 at long range or even a Trapdoor or a Sharps. Are the ballistics that much different and could the 45 compete or is it better just to invest in reloading equipment and go with the 56-50?

[PvtGreg]

Hi CowboyJared,

I use my Chiappa (the manufacturer) 56-50 Spencer at my SASS clubs long range match for 200 yard lever action.  What range are you talking about?  If its going to be your SASS Cowboy rifle and you don't want to reload than get the 45 colt (or 44-40).

Ten-X has BP 56-50 rounds for the 56-50 Chiappa but that will cost you.

I wouldn't go much beyond 200 with a Spencer - certainly no more than 300.  Others I'm sure will have different opinions.

I'll tell you this - its my favorite rifle by far for (SASS) Cowboy matches and our long range matches.

Pvt Greg

[paledun]

Save your money and purchase the 56-50 when you are financially sound.  I shoot CAS with 45 Colt and full black powder loads and a Burnside Spencer in 56-50 on one stage per match.  The Spencer stage is my favorite as the steel rings much louder and the style points seem to go on forever.  IMHO, 45 Colt is a great cartridge but is no match for a 56-50.  I have considered an Italian Spencer but the original is still the real thing.  However, it is currently down for service from peening the hammer.  I like to shoot it.  Paledun

[Deadeye Don]

56-50 in a Spencer. 

That is all.

[pakm]

I have the 56-50 spencer and one in  .45 schofield, the schofiedl is nothing compaired to the 56-50. (the .45 schofield is just a short .45 LC) I had my .45 schofield at about a 20 degree angle to get it to 100 yards. my 56-50 spencer is dead on at 25 yards. and I found out last week at a cowboy shoot it was dead on at about 65-75 yards or so. and yes, 56-50 is a Taylors,(read that new rifle) and I pour my own lead(350-360gr. bullets) and I use 10 gr.s of Trail Boss powder. I love it. I"m glad I got it. I also load for a friends 150+ year old spencer of 56-50 and it's a lot of fun also. I use a full case of 777 or pyrodex RS in it.  about 42.5gr.s of powder.  same bullet as mine. and yes, I do this on a single stage press. none of this stuff fits on my Dillon 550B.

[matt45]

On that note, my Armi- Sport carbine (56-50) is 8" high @25, and dead on @ 100 yds, provided the loads are around 1200 f.p.s. w/ a 350 gr. bullet.  I believe I am accurate in saying that duplicates the old service load.

[PvtGreg]

And the charge?

[Jbar4Ranch]

You can get anything in .45 Colt... BORING! If you're going to buy a Spencer, go .56-.50, or we'll beat you up after school. 

[matt45]

Hello the Camp,
     ... and Pvt Gregg in particular.  The charge on that particular load is 35 grs of 777 w/ a magnum primer, vel is 1207 @ 6000 Ft at 47 degrees.  SD is 15, I believe (I don't have my notes w/ me, but I remember the rest).

[PvtGreg]

I wondered about using magnum primers.  I'll have to try it.  Thanks Brother.

[treebeard]

Matt45--Is the 35gr of 777 by weight or volume? I'd like to try it.

[major]

One in 44-40 will shoot rings around any of the other calibers.  44-40 has always been a great target cartridge especially when using black powder.

[ndnchf]

The .40-40 is a fine cartridge and one of my all time favorites.  But don't discount the .56-50 either.  With a little work, it can be made to shoot quite nicely.  Here are two targets I fired at 50 yards using a Rapine 350T and Goex 2F in an original Spencer.  Both groups measure about 1.25"



Yes -there are 5 holes in this target:


For me. the limitation is my eyes and the original well worn barrel sights.  If my eyes were 30 years younger, I'm pretty sure these groups would tighten up a bit more.