loading for 50-70 sharps

[pakm]

I scored 3 lb.s of Black powder the other day.  FFg, I'm loading a 500 gr. bullet and using the idea for slightly compressed powder loads, all the powder I can get in the case is about 50 gr.s of BP with a slight compression. ANy ideas on this???  with the same case and using Pydrex RS I get a load of 42.5 gr.s of powder in the case. comments any one(that loads the sharps)

[ndnchf]

What kind of Sharps are you shooting - military rifle, sporting rifle, carbine, original or repro?  A 500gr bullet is a little big for a military rifle or carbine.  The original bullet weight was around 450gr.  Either the Lyman 515141 or Lee 515450 are good choices. What is your rifle's groove diameter and rate of twist?  These rifles can vary a lot. I've loaded the Lyman 515141 behind 61-65gr of 2F goex with good success.  If you are just starting out loading the .50-70 I highly recommend that you buy Croft Barker's "The .50-70 Shooters Handbook". It is inexpensive and a wealth of information on loading and shooting the 50-70.

[pakm]

I do have a 450 gr. 50 cal. mold but it doesn't seem to be very accurate. the 500 gr. bullet seems to be pretty accurate. we haven't shot the 500 gr bullet with the BP yet. these are original sharps one carbine and one rifle. both in 50-70. we tried the 360 gr. bullet for our spencers but my buddy wanted a  little more "kick" yes, sharps are about 140 years old. his spencer is over 150 years old. and yes, these barrels are pretty bad. I picked up an new Taylors Spencer in 56-50, it's great. and accurate(its the carbine)
Pat( I now go by Dirty MacPill)

[ndnchf]

There is no need to try to pack more powder in the case than it will hold with a little compression.  Shooting a carbine with a full load and 500gr bullet will not be fun.  Have you slugged the bore to find groove size?  If your bullet is less than groove size, it will not shoot accuarately, no matter what weight it is.  If its a carbine converted from percussion, then a 450 gr bullet should shoot well if sized and lubed properly. What kind of rifle is it - military, sporting?  converted 1863 model or 1868 or 1874 model?  have you measured the twise rate as well as groove size?  These are all factors that go into determining a proper bullet and load.