Powders for 56-50?

[PJ Hardtack]

I'm getting closer to having a Spencer carbine ..... my dealer has tracked one down for me. Two actually, one direct from Chiappa and one "Taylor Tuned" at considerably more money.

I have on hand 5744, Trail Boss and Varget as well as Red Dot, Unique and 700X, which may not be suitable.

Oh, and of course BP - Goex FFg and Swiss 1-1/2. I have a Rapine 350 gr mould.

Thoughts, recommendations -  

[mgmradio]

I shoot 8.7- 9gr of Unique in my Spencer's. That keeps them between 950-1050 fps. I have shot a 1000+ rounds and no signs of overpresure or any other danger signs.

As with any smokeless load in a black powder arm, use at your own risk. Weapon should be checked by a knowledgeable gunsmith and in excellent condition.

[PJ Hardtack]

I'll bear that in mind. I do want a load that I can hunt deer and bear with, so that will likely be BP.

Trump's gov't shut down will delay delivery of my carbine as the agents who approve export permits are booking off sick.

Can't say that I blame them. I can wait .....

[Coal Creek Griff]

I use 8.0 grains of Unique with my 350 grain Accurate Molds bullet. That gives me 950 ft per second muzzle velocity from my Armi Sport carbine.

As noted previously, all of the standard cautions apply.

CC Griff

[Coffinmaker]

First, a tiny little CAVEAT:  I don't own a Spencer.  I have never own'd a Spencer.  I have never shot a Spencer.  I have no desire own, shoot, nor load for a Spencer.  In fact, I have never, in person, held nor fondled a 56-50 cartridge.  SO:

Obviously, I have absolutely no pearls of wisdom to add to this thread.  Nothing.  Nada.  So ... if all desire to ignore it, I Shant feel at all slighted.  Nor offended.  HOWEVER:

The 56-50 and the Spencer were designed and developed way back inna wabac (Sherman and the Professor here) when Chinese powder was king (Black Powder) and they were intended for Chinese Powder.  Ergo, my load recommendation would be just enough of your favorite Chinese powder to provide about 1/16th inch compression.  Or a similar amount of either APP or Black MZ to just kiss the base of your favorite loaded projectile.  Those suggestions will do really nasty things to whatever it is you shoot your Knew Two Ewe Carbine at.

[Cannonman1]

Harder to overload a Spencer case with Black Powder or Black Powder Substitute. It saves you from that awkward moment trying to explain to your friend why you have a hammer imbedded in your head.. Saying that, I understand the desire to shoot smokeless to avoid the cleanup but isn't that part of the fun of the gun? If I don't have a little black powder under my fingernails I feel naked. Bottom line is BE SAFE!!

[Oregon Bill]

I'm not advocating anything reckless here, but the Spencer is NOT a weak design, especially by 19th century standards, and the Starline brass is stout stuff.  Just sayin' ...

[PJ Hardtack]

Perhaps not by 19th century standards, but ......

Metallurgy has improved, but the laws of physics haven't changed.

Star Line brass is pretty stiff and I find I must anneal my 45-70 brass moreso than Winchester or Remington. I've been present when a a balloon head Dominion .45 Colt case came apart in the chamber of a Ped Lightning. The shooter got a face full of gas and he was not wearing safety glasses.

Old designs need extra caution. If prudence requires that I shoot only BP, so be it.

[Trailrider]

I use 8.0 grains of Unique with my 350 grain Accurate Molds bullet. That gives me 950 ft per second muzzle velocity from my Armi Sport carbine.

As noted previously, all of the standard cautions apply.

CC Griff

You will note the similarity of this load to a fairly "standard" smokeless load for .45LC.  The Relative Sectional Density of a 350 gr. .515" dia. bullet is approx. .188= (350/7000)x.515x.515 .  This compares to a .45LC 270 gr. bullet's RSD.  The available case capacity with the bullet seated is similar, depending on the make of brass.  I have not actually done the calculations for .56-50, but did for my original .56-56 Spencer, using cut down DGW .50-70 brass.  My bullets were somewhat heavier, in the 385 - 410gr range, but my loads came out similar to .45LC.  NOT a recommendation, just sayin'...

[Jack Wagon]

 Another + for Alliant Black MZ. I have four antique Spencers and shoot Black Mz in them. Just bought 4 more lbs. today at the local Sportsman's Warehouse at 9.99 per pound. It works, it's cheap, needs no goopy BP lube and cleans up with just plain water. Rinse your cases in water just after shooting and they will not stain like they do with BP. If you have a hard time getting real BP, give Black MZ a try. JW

[Oregon Bill]

Jack, what bullet are you using and what velocities is Black MZ giving you?

[PJ Hardtack]

I have a 2004 issue of "Shoot!" magazine that reviews the 56-50 Spencer (Tyalor's/ArmiSport) and the Cimarron '59 Sharps 45-70 conversion.

Ammo used to test the Spencer was Ten-X, a smokeless 350 gr load at 1230 fps and a 350 gr BP load at 840 fps.

I wonder what smokeless  powder they used to achieve that velocity?

[Jack Wagon]

Bill, I'm using a Rapine 520375 for the 1865 56-50 carbine and new model rifle. For the factory56-46 sporting rifle I'm using the Accurate 47265S and a custom Accurate mold for a gunsmith converted sporting rifle. I don't own a chronograph, so velocities are not know. Felt recoil and point of aim are the same as with Schuetzen 3F BP and APP. Things I like about MZ, I can buy it off the shelf for $10, it's way cleaner that black  and doesn't have the dust of APP that makes your powder throw sticky. Plus no BP lube or wads recommended.  JW

[Oregon Bill]

Jack, I'll have to try some. My only experience with subs is Pyrodex and Triple 7.
PJ, Brian Pearce wrote an article on loads for the Taylor's Spencer in 2007, but it is on Loaddata.com, which I have not subscribed to. I'd like to have a 1200 fps load as well.

[PJ Hardtack]

PJ, Brian Pearce wrote an article on loads for the Taylor's Spencer in 2007, but it is on Loaddata.com, which I have not subscribed to. I'd like to have a 1200 fps load as well.

Thanks! I'll see if I can find it on the net.

[Coal Creek Griff]

https://loaddata.com/Article/LoadDevelopment/Handloads-for-the-56-50-Spencer-Centerfire/74

Of course you have to be a subscriber to read the full article.  I am not.

CC Griff

[PJ Hardtack]

Yeah, I found the same thing .....

Don't know if i want to invest $34.95 USD to subscribe. SOMEBODY has to be a subscriber who can tell us the data ..... 

[matt45]

11 grains of Universal Clays with the 300 gr. bullet gave best accuracy.  Pressure was kept between 14,000 and 16,000. Velocity listed was 1204 f.p.s.

[Coal Creek Griff]

Interesting. Are you able to mention what other powders he tested? Since I've been using Unique for a few years, I'm curious if he tried it and what results he might have found.

That Clays load certainly has higher velocity than I would have expected.

CC Griff

[Oregon Bill]

Hmmm. My bullets from the Lodgewood mold weigh about 352 grains. ...