56 50 LOAD MORE INFORMATION

[KEN S]

 I've been asked to clarify my load data for my Spencer 56 50 carbine original.   

     anneal the cases on the neck and neck size only.  no sizing after firing. just de prime.  tumble clean
     de prime and expand the neck of each case to fit the bullet.  I use a .515 expanding die.  you can buy the .515
      and they're cheap. Don't try to force the soft bullet in a case that's too tight.  goodby accuracy....

     Prime.   I use Large Pistol Regular, but MAG will work.  I've just found the regular better.
       put a newspaper wad on top of the primer. one thickness, (I like to use the liberals section.  blows up better! HA)
       How this works I haven't a clue, but it gets better groups. a short dowel with a square end works well to seat the wad slowly.
       
    Load.   drop GOEX FFg  37 grains into the case.  I use a short drop tube.  three inches or so.  more not needed.
                 you can tap to settle too. FFg is best, Swiss 1 1'2 works well in my 50 90 Sharps, but not the Spencer.
     WADS.   I cut my wad out of the cardboard back of a legal pad.  put one over the powder and use dowel to seat
                  compress a little... Then put TWO newspaper wads over that.  TWO, this prevents the main wad from clinging to the bullet downrange, and loose accuracy.  check in front to see that they are coming off. 
 
    SEAT.   put the bullet in by hand and then seat and crimp. 
   
         Total Ctg. length is 1.56,  cycles like a dream.
         bullet.  340 grain soft cast or pure lead .515 Lyman  FN FP    us a flat point bullet for safety.no sizing, use as cast.
      all lubed by hand. SPG lube.

    This load prints, (most of the time)( inside of 3 inches at 50 yards.  2 1/2 inch groups sometimes
        NOW<  Hold tight to the shoulder,  Pull it in tight, hold the forearm tight.  You have to counter the
      sludge hammer blow of the action that kills accuracy.   

     any questions. and I'll try to answer.   
    of course, you can fill the case with any BP, and put in any bullet and go BANG just for fun.  all this is if you're looking for accuracy and tight groups....
        Be safe. BP only.....Ken


                 
     

[Two Flints]

KenS,

Many thanks 

Best wishes,

Two Flints

[matt45]

are these loads for the armi-sport, or an original?  Is the brass the starline, etc.  Thanks for the info

[KEN S]

they are for an original Spenced 56 50 carbine, 1865 Burnside made, in great condition, but...
    they will work in any 56 50....
        Ken...

[Herbert]

A simple way and quicker way to place the under primer wad is to cut strips of paper that will fit in the shell holder and cut the wads as you are seating the primmer by placing the strip of paper under the case in the shell holder,as the primmer is being seated, it will cut the wad,then just tear off the holed peice of paper and go to the next one.The idear of the under primer wad is tolesen the strenth of the flash from the primmer so the powder ignites without it being blown forwards.I have improved acuracy with every BP cartridge rifle load I use by adding the under primmer wad and using weak primers

[KEN S]

interesting idea.    what do you think about mag. primers?   Ken

[Herbert]

I can see no advantage of mag primers with BP,however I can see posible disadvantages with them of blowing the charge forward before ignition,I think this is even worse with compresed powder loads that are used in the  Spencer cartridges.I personly have improved acuracy useing the weakest primers I can get + underprimer wad.The 1000yd match shooters of the 1880-90s recomended this method and a lot of the top 1000yd shooters today also use this method

[PvtGreg]

I find magnum primers are typically more useful for nitro powders where you don't have a charge volume that fills the cartridge.  For trail boss regular primers are best for Spencer loads.  For 45-70 magnum primers seem to work best for me.

My two cents

Pvt Greg

[KEN S]

has anyone tried Small pistol primers in the 56 50?   I've tried but had a couple of missfires, but I think it's old primers not the gun.
   Ken

[KEN S]

OK.  I went to the range today.  15 degrees, wind, snow.   PERFECT. 
     The load with the 340 grain PURE LEAD bullet worked well, and more testing to come.
   I found that a Really tight hold, forearm rest, and pulled tight into the shoulder works for the carbine.
     
     The test load was 340 grain pure lead bullet, unsized hand SPG lubed,  under bullet "pad back" wad over 35 FFg GOEX, TWO Newspaper wads over the card wad, and one newspaper wad over primer.    REG Large pistol primers.  crimped 1.56OCL
     same load with MAG primers worked too.  cycles perfectly.
   all shot about 3 inches , seven shots, all with one flyer of course, so six out of seven in 3 inches at 50 yards. not 25. 
   gun is an origianl 1865 Burnside Spencer carbine in VG + condition
     more to come....Ken

[KEN S]

One last post....range session.  56 50 original carbine

      33 grains drop tubed 2FFg GOEX
      1 veggie wad and two newspaper wads very slightly compressed
      Large Pistol Magnum Primer
     350 grain Lyman RNFP  cast about 1 in 20   bullets inspected well   
      I tried both unsized  hand lubed , and .515 sized SPG lube
       
       both shot into 1 1/2 inches dead center at 50 yards.   5 out of 6 in ONE HOLE. 
       time after time.. THIS IS THE LOAD.
        I made a slip on brass cover for the front and rear sights.  just cut a brass tube and fit it over each  sight..
        This made it easier to see the target, and hold center on the cross.
       I used a black painted cross on the paper.  easier to see and sight on.

      Done testing.....now to try 100 yards.     old 1865 spencer really shoots.  and the muzzle crown work did the trick.
      Ken

[mtmarfield]

   BRAVO!  Keep us posted!!

                  M.T.Marfield