.515- .520 56-50 bullet for Spencer

[John Morton]

Hi Does anyone know who migh tbuy a .515 Diameter bullet (340-350 grain) for a 56-50 Spencer Starline case  ? Also, does anyone know where a .520 complete cartridge can be purchased.
I slugged my bore and it is around .512-.513, I shot some "TenX (.513) thru it and the hits on the paper were sloppy. Thanks, John

[KEN S]

I'm using the Lyman 515 mold for my burnside.  it comes out of the mold at 513 if I use a soft mix.  so..I beagled the mold.
see other post on Beagling.   it now comes out at 515 and works fine. 
try softer lead to have it expand more...Ken

[Snakeeater]

Larry Romano offers a .519 dia, 395-gr, single (deep) grease groove, similar to the new Moose Spencer bullet but without the crimp groove.

[Fox Creek Kid]

...I shot some "TenX (.513) thru it and the hits on the paper were sloppy. Thanks, John

Ten-X ammo uses BP substitute and I would not use their ammo as any benchmark for accuracy at all.

[El Supremo]

Hello:

Unless something has changed with Larry Romano in the last month, he is NOT presently able to provide his 315gr, single grease groove bullet mold. 

Larry emphatically cautioned me not to use his 50 Maynard bullet that is fatter and longer than his Spencer bullet.  His Maynard bullet requires too much sizing and that distorts it.

A proven alternative for Larry's Spencer bullet that is identical has been made by:

Northern Valley Machine, 1124 15th Ave, NE,  East Grand Forks MN 56721.
Call 218-773-4010 and ask for Keith Henningsgard.
Their drawing/bullet number is #1728-9631,50 Caliber 322gr  Spencer RN FP PB.
It is a base-pour design.  The do not do nose pour.
The bullet will vary in weight depending upon alloy.
Their slightly softer, thatn 16Bhn W'W's weighs 322, but in W'W's, mine cast at 314 -316gr and fall out at an as-cast OD of .5150" - 5155" at base, and .5160" - .5165" at the front.
They cast, size, lube and shoot well.  Be SURE to maintain the casting temp at between 750 and 775 degrees using an immersed thermometer available from Rotocast. HARDER alloys resist the Spencer's tendency to be jostled and gouged during feeding. 

Hardness of between Bhn 16 and, for me, Bhn 18, even 20, improves feeding.  Try that if yours balks a little.
Be sure your cartridge feed guide is creating a fill arc snappy movement.  I have found original springs that were 1/8" shorter on their contact arm that resulted in sloppy action at the top and bottom of the arc.

The blocks should be SINGLE CAVITY, with their handles.  The blocks are bored and the workmanship is tops.  They did Ballisti-Cast's blocks, which says a lot about their quality and materials.

If you search here, you can find the drawing, but it matches Larry's final design that is compatible with twists ranging between 36" and 32". 

Please let us know how you do.  Thanks.

Regspectfully,
El Supemo/Kevin Tinny

[El Supremo]

By the way, NVT can do any variation in dimension, so if you need to tweak it, go ahead.
Tx.
El Supremo/ Kevin Tinny

[Blair]

Kevin,

That is good information to have.
Are they doing anything with the heel based 56-56 or 56-52 bullets?
I could go look it up for myself, but I am not shooting very much of either any more.
However, there maybe some here that are? Thanks!
My best,
Blair

[El Supremo]

Hello, Blair:

NVT is a custom shop.  If you send a drawing, they should be able to make what you want.  Please discuss first with Keith. 

Regards, El Supremo/Kevin Tinny

[Blair]

Kevin,

Thanks again for the info.
But, it is not my area of interest.
However, If you wish to, and have the info to add... please do?
My best,
Blair