Powder for Spencer Magazines

[Colt Fanning]

Hi,
After years of shooting my 1860 Spencer as a single shot I want to shoot from the magazine in Ncows matches.
Since the various bullets for the Spencer including the Original have no cannelier groove, the bullet is mostly supported
from being driven into the case by the powder charge.  Presumeably the original black powder did not detonate under
the compression caused by the other rounds in the magazine,  but is the same true for the black powder substitues?
I would like to shoot App, 777, or pyrodex.  What powder do those of you who shoot Spencers in ncows and Sas matches
use?  BTW I have flat nosed bullets and a flat nose follower.
Regards
Preston C

[Two Flints]

Preston,

Until someone responds to your post/thread, you might want to check the ORI Thread (Often Requested Information) for information on loading.  The top section, Loading Information may be of some help to you.  This is the link you need:

http://www.cascity.com/forumhall/index.php?topic=14075.0

Two Flints

[Trailrider]

Hi,
After years of shooting my 1860 Spencer as a single shot I want to shoot from the magazine in Ncows matches.
Since the various bullets for the Spencer including the Original have no cannelier groove, the bullet is mostly supported
from being driven into the case by the powder charge.  Presumeably the original black powder did not detonate under
the compression caused by the other rounds in the magazine,  but is the same true for the black powder substitues?
I would like to shoot App, 777, or pyrodex.  What powder do those of you who shoot Spencers in ncows and Sas matches
use?  BTW I have flat nosed bullets and a flat nose follower.
Regards
Preston C

Howdy, Pard,
The one thing that you MUST ABSOLUTELY DO BEFORE shooting your original 1860 Spencer is to either modify or replace the magazine follower.  The original steel follower is round nosed, which is DANGEROUS when used with centerfire ammo!  S&S Firearms has a brass, cup-nosed follower, or you can turn a flat on the nose of the original.  An even better option would be to epoxy a piece of plastic on the flat after you modified the original or obtained the S&S.  Failure to make these mods could result in a MAGAZINE EXPLOSION, which, with the magazine tube in the buttstock COULD RUIN YOUR WHOLE DAY!

By the same token, bullets need to be FLATNOSED!  I have used smokeless powder loads in the M1860, using an old Lyman hollow base #533487AX (no longer available), used in reamed out .50-70 brass, shortened and annealed.  Rapine also makes suitable bullet moulds.

Hope this helps.

[Herbert]

is  spencer 56-56 or a relined 56-50, if 56-56 rapine has a heald base bullet tht will work fine you will have get some sort of crimping die made up though ,a modified lee factory crimp die for 50-70 should work,if 56-50 there are plenty of sutable moulds with crimping groves

[Colt Fanning]

hi,
I have the cupped nose follower from S&S and use a flat nose bullet from a Romano mold.  My question relates
to the possible tendency toward detonation of Black powder substitutes.  This concern is conjectural as I have
never heard of any instance of this happening.  Just wanted to see if anyone else has.  Thanks for your replies.
Regards,
Colt

[Bead Swinger]

I've never had any problems - 777, Pyrodex, Pyrodex Select and regular BP, all FFg.
I have more problems with the ball falling out when the crimp fails 'cause the ball is cast too soft.
I tend to run pretty light loads though, 33-35 gr. 'Can't really stuff that much in a modern case - they have so much brass. You probably know this though, having shot single-fire.

'Have fun shooting the old girl.

[Fox Creek Kid]

...'Can't really stuff that much in a modern case - they have so much brass...

I can get 45 gr. FFg in a Starline case slowwwwwlllyyy drop tubed if I use the Dakota Widowmaker bullet. I get a little compression but not a whole lot. The DW bullet does not seat very deep. You can get between 1150 - 1200 fps using Swiss and man does it hit hard!!