Older 56-56 Conversion help needed.

[Highpower]

New Guy here, put my questions on wrong page, new to forums too! Have old Spencer was converted in the 70,s and used for blanks. Would like to purchase a couple of loaded cartridges as masters and 5 cases, and a hanfull of bullets. Want to try her out for accuracy before getting too involved. This one is a 56-56 # 13611 no finish left but bore isnt too bad. Read what I could in your archives and seems it should shoot decently at short range?  Thanks!

[Tuolumne Lawman]

Howdy,

Sent you a PM.. Judgfe Hemp has some 56-56 ammo I loaded him with 375 grain rapine and 37.5 volume of Hodgdon's Triple Seven BP substitute.  He said to call him and he would fix you up.

[Dakota Widowmaker]

How do you go about making ammo forthe 56-56?

Correct me if I am wrong, but, isn't the 56-56 a .520" chamber? (I know the 56-50 is ~ .512-.515")

[Tuolumne Lawman]

Howdy,

Nope, it is nominal .535 to .540.  The Rapine mold throws a 375 grain, .535 heeled bullet.  The case mouth crimps onto the rebated heel (about .515 dia) of the bullet.  In the Civil War, they sometimes refered to them as .52 caliber Spencers, though this was because the bore (from land to land) was about .52.  The grooves are about .540, if I remember what mine slugged at.