My Spencer arrived!!!!! but a couple of questions

[Wolf Killer]

Hello Lads,
Well I am finally a member of Spencer Mountain! My Specer carbine arrived from cimarron, and it is a beauty in fit and finish.
The stock has an odd grain pattern on the comb down the left side. Looks like a knot or a part of a heart.
It ain't straight grain walnut.

I loaded new rounds with the Lyman 515139 in new Starline brass. I put together seven rounds to test fuction, and while all cycled well, if I have 7 rounds in the mag, I cannot load the first round, six, easy, but with seven the rifle want to jam up. I did get it to load by really throwing the lever forward. and all the bullets are dinged up.
Myoal on this round is 1.525 in order to use the crimp groove.

Should this bullet be crimped on the front band? at 1.515?

Thanks,

I will post a photo of the new Spencer later.

Thanks,

[Blair]

Wolf Killer,

It can be difficult to diagnosis a problem without seeing the arm in action. But I will give it a try.

My first thought is that your cartridge OAL is a bit short. Much of this can come from our use of flat nosed bullets in the center fire Spencer's. (original bullets were rather pointed)

This allows the "next" cartridge in the mag to come into the receiver, perhaps far enough that the breech block is trying to close on almost the full diameter of the bullet. You want it to close on the rounded portion of the flat nose bullet. The breech block will more easily push the "next" cartridge back into the magazine on closing. This is what is causing the dings on the bullet.
Try seating your bullet out a little farther during your reloading (I can't tell you how much, you will have to experiment with OAL)

Simplest explanation;
The slightly longer OAL will also allow the cartridge stop to stop the forward movement of the cartridge (being loaded) and help prevent The "next" round form coming to far into the receiver.

I hope this helps.
My best,
Blair