44-40 Henry vs 56-50 Spencer Which one?

[Tuolumne Lawman]

I am posting this on both the Henry and Spencer Forums here.  I have a 44-40 Spencer (which I think is sold), and am replacing it with either a 44-40 Henry (which I prefer over the 44-40 Spencer), or a 56-50 Spencer (If I am slow with a Spencer, I want it to have THUMP to make up for speed).  I no longer re-enact Civil War, and only do CAS matches, where 44-40 is mu caliber.  For most of the first 10 or 12 years in SASS, I used a Henry, then in about 2006 switched to Spencers.

I am really stuck here.  I really love them both as "styling" platforms.  The plus for the 44-40 Henry is that I already load for it for my pistols, and the 56-50 would be expensive to get 150 brass, mold, and dies.  The plus for the 56-50 Spencer is CLASS and THUMP, and an excuse for shooting slow.

Post your arguments for which you think.  It is more entertaining than a coin toss!

[Major 2]

Well, I traded my 45 Schofield Spencer for a NIB Iron Frame Henry if that helps....

course , when I did it I still had the original you bought from me.....
the other issue, at the time the SASS club I shot with did not allow Spencers  (claimed damage to targets  )
funny thing though , when they said NO Spencer, they included all Calibers 

That has since changed 

[matt45]

I haven't had a chance for many years to shoot a deer w/ a 44- 40, but I got a white tail last fall w/ the 56/50.  If I was going to use the rifle for hunting, I would take the 56/50.  Of course, a 270 or whatever modern rifle one would use would work better yet.  I just hate to have a rifle that I haven't used to put meat on the table with

[wolflobo76]

  Amen to that Matt    I shot a real nice doe last year with my original 56/56 carbine and it tastes better than one shot with a .308.

[Jbar4Ranch]

... the SASS club I shot with did not allow Spencers  (claimed damage to targets  )
funny thing though , when they said NO Spencer, they included all Calibers 

That has since changed

Can a SASS affiliated club change the rules?

From the rule book:
RIFLE CALIBERS
• Must be centerfire of at least .32 caliber and not larger than .45 caliber.
• Must be in a caliber commonly available in revolvers. Examples include, but are not limited to, .32-20, .32 Magnum, .357 Magnum, .38 Special, .38-40, .44-40, .44 Special, .44 Magnum, and .45 Colt. The only allowed exceptions are the .25-20 and .56-50. No rifle calibers such as .30-30 or .38-55 are allowed.
• Buckaroo/Buckarette Category competitors choosing to utilize .22 caliber firearms must use standard velocity .22 caliber rimfire ammunition only.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
If you don't mind 80+ second stages, the 56-50 Spencer is a HOOT! I've shot mine a lot, and have never finished last yet... second to last several times, but never last! 

[Major 2]

May I assume you are asking me ?  if a SASS affiliated club change the rules?

then you post
From the rule book:
RIFLE CALIBERS

answer...

They can or should I say will  , if it's a (private club) Range RULE and it's their targets.
This particular range offers many Shooting Disciplines.....their range, their rules.

What changed in regards to the Spencer was....
A. a change in the leadership ( officers )
B. we started an NCOWS possi .... built & provide our own Targets.

[Tuolumne Lawman]

I have come up with a solution:  The 44-40 Spencer is sold.  My best friend has a 56-56 that I can borrow any time I want.  This works well, since I cast the bullets and load the rounds for him anyway.  For a main match rifle, I will use the Marlin .44-40 Century Limited.  In the late summer I have an extra income lined up that I will use to buy a 56-50 Armi-sport, brass, mold, and dies.  The Spencers are for when I want style, and the Marlin CL 44-40 is for speed.

[Big Goose]

I posted over on the Henry forum too, but for me  I think that the 56-56 and 56-50 has been underrated as a decent big game cartridge, and lots of "way cool" factor at matches.
http://www.cascity.com/forumhall/index.php/topic,18006.msg228451.html#msg228451