A New Member- questions and a few thoughts

[matt45]

Howdy All,
Two Flints suggested I post a new thread w/ the questions I have posted on other threads, so I am giving this a shot.
On the question side- I have never loaded Black powder or substitutes in a cartridge firearm.  Does 777 take the same kind of cleanup the ffg does?  Does it need to be compressed, and should one use a wad between it and the bullet?  I assume that all Black Powder and its lookalikes take magnum primers, am I correct?  My powder measure is a Redding BR-3, what should or could I use for a drop tube?  Perhaps I should invest in some reading material dealing with this subject- any suggestions (please keep in mind that I am as green as the grass dealing w/this)  Obviously, we have to mold bullets for the 56-50, what is the best lube (I use a RCBS luber with the hollow sticks).
Some thoughts on some other subjects I have read in all the other threads:  If you are using the Hornady One Shot case lube, it makes all the difference in the world to spray a little, or a lot into the sizing die;  The 348 Win shellholder will work for the 56-50; and the 48th edition of the Lyman reloading manual doesn't have data for this cartridge.  I highly recommend A Revolution in Arms, and am eagerly awaiting both my copy of Marcot's book and my Spencer.  Finally, Two Flints- Have you ever seen a picture of Liver- Eating Johnson's Spencer?

[Two Flints]

Matt45

You might want to direct some of your black powder questions to the Darksider's Den at this link:

http://www.cascity.com/forumhall/index.php?board=19.0

Two Flints

[matt45]

Well,
My own thread, and already bad info posted-  Last night I got my first batch of Starline 56-50 brass.  The shellholder for the 348 Win will not, repeat not work for the 56-50 
This leads to a ?  I have read that the 348 was based on the 50-70, and some one (I can't think of who it was) told me the 50-70 is a lengthened 56-50.  Was I wrong? It would appear so.

[Trailrider]

Well,
My own thread, and already bad info posted-  Last night I got my first batch of Starline 56-50 brass.  The shellholder for the 348 Win will not, repeat not work for the 56-50 
This leads to a ?  I have read that the 348 was based on the 50-70, and some one (I can't think of who it was) told me the 50-70 is a lengthened 56-50.  Was I wrong? It would appear so.

Actually, the .348 WCF was based on the .50-110 WCF, which is NOT quite the same as the .50-70 in rim and base dimensions.  The .50-70 was developed by the Springfield Armory as was the .56-50.  The dimensions of the base and rim are quite similar, and I would expect the .50-70 was an evolution of the .56-50.  The dimensions of modern brass can vary from manufacturer to manufacture.  For example, I made .56-56 centerfire brass from Dixie Gun Works .50-70 brass (the old, inexpensive stuff), and had to reduce the rim diameters a bit.  Bertram .50-70 brass did NOT require turning the rims to make .56-56 brass.  Hope this is of interest.

[matt45]

Thanks- actually, that helps a lot.  Do you have any idea if the original 50-70 was rim-fire, or internal center fire?

[Black River Smith]

The 50-70 was designed as a centerfire cartridge for the (breechloading converted) Allin 1866 Springfield.  Just reread your question.  If you mean internal like the first 45 Colts and 45-70's, I don't have that answer.

[matt45]

Is there anyone out there that has hitched an Oeahler up to the 56-50.  I know the cartridge preceeded SAAMI by eons, but to what spec did Starline build the brass?  There is a lot of knowledge that you folks have- How strong is the Spencer action? I assume (and we know what that does) that the modern rifles are vastly stronger than the old ones by virtue of modern steel- not that I am really interested in souping the 56-50 up- just curious.
                                                                 matt45