Original Spencer Cartridge Specs from the Marcot Book

[Two Flints]

Hello SSS,

Thought this information might be of some value to those of you loading for the original Spencer 56-56 or 56-50, and who still do not have their very own copy of the Roy M. Marcot book, Spencer Repeating Firearms.  Tsk, Tsk, Tsk    

Maybe this original ammunition information could be used as a reference chart of sorts when trying to come with the best case length and OAL for smooth reliable feeding in your Spencer. Of course, keep in mind that your loading specs must allow in some way for the differences you will encounter caused by replacing the original rim fire breech block with the new center fire breech block.  Hope these pages are of some use.  Right click on each page to print them out.









Two Flints

[Trailrider]

Great post, especially for those who don't have the book! A look at some of the dimensional data shows the wide variety of bullet diameters between manufacturers for Spencer ammo.  IIRC, without looking it up in my copy, some of the Jacob Goldmark ammo had a lot of problems with no-fires! Not good news for troops in the middle of a firefight!

[Herbert]

However, there is a limiting factor with over all length of cartridge in the Armi Sports Spencer caused by the the way they have set the lane type extractor in their blocks.  If you want to use the longer cartridge lengths as listed above in your Armi Sport Spencer 56-50, you will have to modify the extractor, something that is very easy to do.