Case dimensions of modern .56-50 brass

[Trailrider]

Gentlemen:

I need to know the rim, base (just ahead of the rim) and case length of the more common brands of MODERN-MADE .56-50 Spencer Central Fire brass. (I am making a cartridge belt for a customer and only have ORIGINAL rim fire ammo, which may not necessarily help me in making the leather loops.)  I also need to compare the .56-50 with modern .50-70 brass, as the customer wants to use the belt for either/both cases.  They should be similar except in length, but I don't want to take a chance.

Thanks in advance!

[Pvt Bill]

Trailrider
According to my handy dandy digital caliper the diameter just ahead of the rim is .559-.560 in. for both 56-50 and 50-70.
Hope these measurements are helpful.
Pvt Bill

[Two Flints]

Trailrider,

Here goes, hope others will chime in with their measurements.  Is this what you wanted?  My measurements in inches.

56-50 Starline Brass                  50-70 Bell Brass

1.1500                  length             1.0160
.5585                  base                .5555
.6125                  rim                 .6390

Two Flints

[Hell-Er High Water]

Trailrider,

My Starline 56-50 brass measures 0.629"-0.630" rim diameter, 0.558"-0.559" base diameter and is 1.150" long.

My 50-70 brass measures as follows.  Starline - 0.651"-0.652" rim diameter, 0.559"-0.560" base diameter.
                                                  Bell       - 0.662"-0.663" rim diameter, 0.562"-0.563" base diameter
                                                  Bertram - 0.661"-0.662" rim diameter, 0.563"-0.564" base diameter
All 50-70 cases are 1.750" long.

I have a leather cartridge belt that I made and it handles both the 56-50 and the 50-70 cartridges without a problem.  The loop diameter will handle both and the belt flexes enough to accomodate the various rim diameters.

HHW

[Trailrider]

Pards,

THANK YOU, A BUNCH!  For what it's worth:

Original Sage Ammunition Co. .56-50 Spencer Rim Fire round:

Rim dia.: .646"
Head dia.: .558"
Case length: 1.145"
O.A.L: 1.611"
Rim thickness: .064"

Original Rem-UMC .50-70 Gov't round"

Rim dia.: .6585"
Base dia.: .563"
Case Length: 1.743" (to end of crimp)
O.A.L: 2.215"

Looks like loops for the .56-50 will handle the .50-70, especially since the latter probably won't be shoved all the way into the loop.

Again, much obliged!

TR

[Black River Smith]

Trailrider, (sorry about the wrong name)

You started something here with that original Sage 56/50.

Would you provide the measurement from the bullet nose to the mouth of the casing?

Also is there crimp or dent or cannellure at the bottom of the bullet?  If Yes!  What is the measurement from the mouth of the casing to the top of crimp/dent/cannellure?  or What is the measurement from the bullet nose to the top of the crimp or dent or cannellure?  ie what is the overall length of the lead bullet.

Thank you, if you could or would provide these additional values.  The picture of a Sage in the Marcot book page 198 shows a crimp. I understand if a crimp is not present.



photo added by T.F.