New Spencer Rifles

[Sagebrush Burns]

Does anyone know anything about the new Spencers now becoming available?  They seem to be available in 45 Schofield but not 45 Colt.  Is there a cartridge/action compatibility issue here?  Could the rifle be converted to 45 Colt?

[Cheyenne]

Taylors originally was going to use the 45Colt for the Spencer to help make it appeal to CAS shooters......way back while it was still on the drawing board, i spoke with Tammy Loy and told her to consider the shorter Schofield round as a Spencer originally only held 7 rounds.....in 45 Colt, the action would only hold five to six rounds....and that would mean you'd generally have to load 4 or so rounds on the clock at a typical CAS match......that would have really limited it's appeal.

And no, you will not easily convert it to the Colt round, if at all.

[J.D.Cayhill]

Sagebrush, there was just a post on TOB about Spencers. Several Pards that owned them responded that they are very ammo length sensitive, even with 45 Schofield. So I think 45 Colt would be out of the question without major action redesign.

[St. George]

As to ammunition compatibility - give that .45 Schofield a try in your .45 Colt.
They behave like .45ACP.
In revolvers, you can use some very good bullets - though in a tube-fed carbine, you want a flat-nosed round.
They're also "period correct" for both Colts and Smith & Wessons of the period, as well as any revolver whose owner could get the Government bullet.

The new Spencers aren't so much 'ammunition sensitive" perhaps, as "reload sensitive".
Trim your brass and you'll be fine.

Scouts Out!