Brass questions for original 56-50

[Pitspitr]

The friend that I bought my original 56-50 Spencer from told me that he didn't think anybody was making 56-50 brass that would work with original Spencer's. (the heads are too small?) Is that still the case? I have some brass, but not enough for my needs. If I'm still going to need to cut down 50-70 brass, what is the best way to go about cutting it?

[Two Flints]

Hi Pitspitr,

You might want to take a look at this link, and the other suggested links contained in this thread:

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

May seem a bit involved, but it works just great with 50-70 brass for your original Spencer.

Two Flints

[El Supremo]

Hello:
Rocky Mountain Ctg makes exceptional turned brass, annealed cases that do not require any preparation.  They do not need inside reaming and they are even slightly beveled on BOTH rim edges.  They are well worth any production wait.  CH-4D dies AND their shell holder work well if you can tell them what expander diameter, usually .511" if the bore is .512", is needed.  RMC's cases will probably be no more expensive, all-in, than modified 50-70's.  Unless your chamber is enlarged, and few are, these cases together with a 315gr - 340gr bullet and 35gr 2Fg/3Fg, should be close to everlasting.  The cut-down 50-70's usually require annealing, which is NOT as simple as some may portray.  I have found that dipping the case mouth 1/2" into plain olive oil and blotting the mouth onto a paper towel followed by a 5 to 6 second, 1/2" mouth dip into 600 degree molten lead works well.  This lead immersion method avoids trying to accurately gauge color change; which if too hot, burns out important case metal ingredients. 

A Canadian outfit, Ballistic Recreations, makes a simple, inexpensive setup to "MOLTEN SALT BATH" anneal in a Lee Pot.  That technique is BETTER THAN IMMERSING IN MOLTEN LEAD, because nothing can stick on the case!
And, for the record, all cartridge brass work hardens and must be annealed at 1,000F degrees. The lead immersion will NOT reach this temp, but the salt bath will.

By the way, it is NOT necessary to quench brass immediately after annealing. 
Regards,  Kevin Tinny

[Drydock]

Jerry, Buffalo Arms also has .56-50 brass for Original Spencers, works quite well.

http://www.buffaloarms.com/56_50_Spencer_Reloading_Brass_it-157750.aspx?CAT=3833

And why have I not seen this?

Also, it might be worth your while to borrow a Starline case and try it.  Some work well with it.  And some don't.  If your's has the centerline extractor, theres a decent chance it'll work just fine with the Starline.

[Ibgreen]

The starline works perfectly with the post war short blade extractor as well.

[Pitspitr]

And why have I not seen this?

The Spencer? Because I really like shooting my Krag and my Trapdoors. And because I currently don't have enough brass for it to shoot a match. I didn't have a uniform to go with it. (Doug took care of that) Now I really need to shoot up the rest of the smokeless loads I got with it. If I can buy brass from Buffalo It will be pretty simple to get reloading as I also got dies from Ned when I bought the gun from him.

Thanks everybody for the suggestions!

[Pitspitr]

Hey 2 Flints

I seem to always be asking questions that could have been answered if I had searched old threads. Do you suppose we could get the Marshall to create a childboard here for Spencer FAQs?