Spencer Kills Pronghorn

[Fox Creek Kid]

In the latest issue of Black Powder Cartridge News (the best BP journal in the world!!) there is an article about a fella that kills a pronghorn with an Armisport 56-60 using Ten-X factory rounds. Now is the time to subscribe as it's a fantastic journal. 

[Two Flints]

Hi Fox Creek,

Off hand do you know if the Black Powder Cartridge News has ever had any articles on the Spencer?  Is there any kind of an Index that can be checked out?

Answered my own question...go to this link:   http://www.blackpowderspg.com/0607.html for back issue list.

Two Flints

[Gimpy Gus]

Fox Creek Kid,  When I wrote the article, I didn't mean to imply that I used Ten-X ammo on the hunt. Wyoming Game and Fish didn't care if I used hand loads as long as I could provide documentation that the factory loaded round meet the min. requirement of 500 ft. lbs. of energy at 100 yds. The folks at Ten-X were kind enough to do some range testing and send me the data on their letterhead. I had to carry the info. with me on the hunt. The actual load I used was about 44 ft. per sec. slower at the muzzle than Ten-X's 777 load but used a softer lead bullet that weighed 365 gr. and was .515 dia. instead of 350gr. and .513 dia.. You are absolutely right about the magazine. Steve Garbe, the editor, is always willing to assist when asked about a BP shooting problem. Right now I'm trying to work up a load that will come closer to the original's 1250 ft per sec. at the muzzle and still shoot accurately in the Armisport. Garbe has made some recommendations for a duplex load that hold some promise. I hope to use this load on a black bear hunt set up in 08/08 in NE Maine.

[Fox Creek Kid]

I was under the assumption that you used the Ten X load from the article. Let me read it again.    May I make a recommendation? There's a fellow here on this forum that makes a cut down Lee 50-70 mould into a crackerjack 350 gr. bullet AND you can get about 42 - 43 gr. of FFg in the case with a drop tube. With Swiss FFg you'll have plenty of fps. I shot some with 43 gr. Swiss FFg and "Katy bar the door" they SMOKED out of the barrel!!  Accurate too. Might as well be traditional and skip the "faux" BP. 

[mtmarfield]

   Greetings, GG!

   I loved your article! I'm sure that I'm not the only one on this site that would LOVE to read about your Bear Hunt & see photos in BPCR News.
   Keep us posted on your loads, groups, & chrono information!

   Congrats & Be Well!

               M.T.Marfield:.
                  6-27-07

[Gimpy Gus]

Fox Creek Kid, Thank you for the recommendations. I've spent a good part of the am looking for a source ( with in reasonable driving distance) of Swiss BP. Distributers will ship but only in larger quantities. Can you be more more specific about the velocity and accuracy of the load you described? The 365gr. bullet I use has been a pretty good performer in another .50 cal. rifle I shoot, but I will look at that modified Lee mold. Again thanks. GG

[Fox Creek Kid]

I could only speculate as I have no chronograph. But I can arrange to use one as a good friend has one & he runs a shootin' range!    Tell you what, I have some of these bullets and I'll load a few up with Swiss FFg and try to shoot them by Sat.    I will add that I think some of velocities listed for original Spencer rounds are a bit on the liberal side. After all, the factories mainly used musket grade powder except for Creedmoor style cartridges.

[Fox Creek Kid]

I spoke too soon.    I looked & all my Spencer brass is loaded. This experiment will have to wait. Sorry. 

[Gimpy Gus]

Fox Creek Kid,  Mighty nice of you to consider doing that experiment. In the meantime, I can not find a dealer, so I'm going to check out the local muzzle loading club to see if anyone shoots Swiss.


M.T.Marfield,  Glad you enjoyed the article. I had a good time writting it. It was my first.

GG

[Dakota Widowmaker]

I am going to take my Spencer carbine out this fall... to hell with the 1.285" min case length for "big game".

[mtmarfield]

   Greetings, DW!

   As far as OAL requirements go, You can seat the bullet out a bit farther, if the chamber leade will allow. This will also give You more room for BP. You can shoot it as a single shot; or, You may get lucky, and get it to cycle.
   Either way {!}, Best of Luck & Keep Us Posted!!!

   Be Well!

          M.T.Marfield:.
               7-2-07

[Oregon Bill]

Gimpy Gus: I really enjoyed you article. Congratulations on your buck, and thanks again for sharing your experience with the rest of us. Pretty inspiring stuff.

[Fox Creek Kid]

Gimpy Gus, I've just finished loading five Starline 56-50's with a weighed load of 45 gr. Swiss FFg sloooooooooooowly drop tubed and topped with Dakota Widowmaker bullets. The primer is Fed. Large Rifle Mag. I'm real curious to see the fps on these this weekend. I'll load a few with another powder for comparison. 

[Gimpy Gus]

Fox Creek Kid,    Fantastic! Thank you.  GG