*** Lots of New Photos Posted *** Spencer Carbine Serial #9004

[oldfard]

Sorry for the delay. I found small piece of brass in chamber. Blair what is the smallest bullet can you load in this 56 50?

[Blair]

oldfard,

In Barns' book "Cartridges of the World", rim fire section, He says .512 bullet. I have also seen this diameter suggest elsewhere.
However, I believe this to be a bit small,l based on my experience with loading 56-50 Spencer's.
You maybe able to get by with it if you cast your bullets in pure soft lead. The powder charge will help bump the soft lead up to more closely fit the grove dia. of the bore?
.515 to .516 dia. seems to the most common size to use. Some well use firearms may require a little larger dia.
Hope this helps.
My best,
Blair