56-46

[Jack Wagon]

Anyone had any luck reloading the 56-46, I believe I just acquired one.  JW

[Two Flints]

Hi Jack,

Maybe, you'll find this diagram useful?



Links of value??

http://www.cascity.com/forumhall/index.php?topic=11997.0

http://www.buffaloarms.com/Buffalo_Arms_Reloading_Brass_it-157749.aspx

Buffalo Arms normally has the CH4 56-46 dies in stock . . . call them for availability.

http://en.strobl.cz/DS56-46Spe-ch4d-reloading-dies-3/

GOOGLE for more results - - - Spencer 56-46

Two Flints

[Jack Wagon]

Thanks Two Flints, I did a chamber cast and my rifle seems to differ in a couple of dimentions from the diagram. Most noteably the case mouth and bullet are closer to .484. I inserted a new Starline 56-50 case and it will almost chamber, stopping just short when it hits the shoulder. I think if I could craft some ammo for it , could be a good shooter. It has a decent bore and a Spencer set trigger  JW

[Blair]

Jack,

Your chamber casting of .484 outside dia. is probably correct for the original thin walled 56-46 copper cases.
The measurement Two Flints offered you of .474 is for the inside case dia. at the mouth of the cartridge.
I hope this helps?
My best,
Blair

[Jack Wagon]

That does help Blair. I see that Buffalo Arms sells 56-46 dies and cases (currently out of stock). I would still need to find a proper bullet. It is a neet old gun, not a factory sporting rifle or priceless Gemmer, but it's all there and works smoothly . That Spencer set trigger is really a gem.  JW

[Blair]

Jack,

Go for the reloading dies. This may help you to reform other available brass that may fit your needs.
The bullet maybe an issue?
The 56-46 was a heel base bullet. I do not know of any current makers that make a mould in this caliber with a heel base.
Others, on this forum, however, may?
My best,
Blair

[Herbert]

Slug your bore,sizes are all over the place,you can get lucky and have one with a smaller than .460 groove diameter ,if so you can use the Lyman .45-292gr bullet with very good results.Brass made from 32ga brass shot shells using CH4 56-46 dies, case length 1.20,OAL 1.60.Some early Spencer sporters(not all) used the 56-46 long cartridge(the ones made from military rifle frames) so chamber dementions are needed.If your groove size is over .460 you will need a custom healed base bullet .02 over groove diameter to get best accuracy.Pictures would be great,love those Spencer sporters

[Blair]

Herbert,

Good information, thanks.
My best,
Blair

[Jack Wagon]

I knocked a .490 round ball through the bore and came up with a .484 groove diameter. Along with the set trigger, the gun has the Spencer magazine cut off. Here are a few pictures.   JW

[Jack Wagon]

Thanks for your help guys. A couple more pics.  JW

[Blair]

Jack,

Great images! Show/post more, please?
My best,
Blair

[Jack Wagon]

Ok Blair, these are for you.  JW

[Blair]

Jack, Thanks.
Please keep in mind, it is not for me but rather for SSS as a whole.
My best,
Blair

[ndnchf]

That is a very cool rifle - congrats!  I can tell you that the .56-46 dimensions came off this exact cartridge:



That rather crude drawing of the three cartridges is mine.  All dimensions were taken off original cartridges in my collection over 30 years ago.  The drawing appeared in an article I wrote for The Blackpowder Report magazine back in the mid-1980s.  The article is online over on the leverguns site:

http://www.leverguns.com/articles/blancard/spencer.htm

Hope this helps.

[Jack Wagon]

Thanks all for the good information. For me, taking exact measurements is kind of an art form I have not mastered. If I have any luck crafting ammo for her I will report back. I have not tried the cf breech block from my 56-50 carbine in it yet.  JW

[Coal Creek Griff]

Here are a few pictures.

Oh my.  That is very cool. Thanks!

CC Griff

[Herbert]

Very nice conversion of a 67 or NM carbine to Sporting rifle with the plus of a Spencer factory single sett trigger,with such a well made conversion I would think it will be marked on the barrel by the maker.Some of these gunsmith made 56-46 Spencer sporters will have slightly different chamber sizes than Spencer factory sporters so the CH4 dies may or may not work,if you post dimensions of your chamber cast I can compare them to the CH4 dimensions,in any case you will need a custom heeled mould,check the twist rate so you can find the best bullet length for best accuracy

[Jack Wagon]

Herbert    The barrel is unmarked. The best I can figure with my limited skills and equipment on the twist rate is 1 in 52. That seems pretty slow but my cleaning rod only rotates 1/2 a turn in the barrels 26" length. Ive included a picture of my chamber cast and of a new Starline 56-50 case inserted in the breech as far as it will go. Thanks for sharing you expertise.  JW

[Herbert]

Bad news your rifle seems to be chamber for a version of the 56-46 Spencer long( demensions are on page205 of Marcots Spencer book) with the added diasadvantage of a larger than needed groove size.This does not mean cartridges can not be made for it you just need to take more care,I would make the neck longer so you could use the shortest custom bullet possible for a OAL of 1.6 inches

[Blair]

Herbert,

I was suspecting the same thing.
Plus, with this being a gunsmith type of alteration, it maybe difficult to determan the chamber/bore relationship.
My best,
Blair