H. K. Uriah, SASS #74619 Posted September 15, 2013 Share Posted September 15, 2013 This is a purely theoretical question. I have an original 1865 Spencer in 56-50. Brass for the originals is made from .50-70 brass that is trimmed to fit as modern Spencer brass has a rim that's too small to work in the originals. Very simple question: Since the ammo for the originals is made from .50-70 brass, can cartridges made from this shorted for Spencers brass be safely chambered and fired in a rifle chambered for .50-70 as a kind of a "sub load?" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Boy Posted September 15, 2013 Share Posted September 15, 2013 Very simple answer: Why? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Bullweed Posted September 15, 2013 Share Posted September 15, 2013 The original Spencer cartridges were rimfires, no matter which chambering .56-56, .54-56, .52-56 and .50-56. The .50 Govt (.50-70) was always a centerfire cartridge even though the first 4-6 years of production was with an internal primer. The .50-70 chambered guns could be shot with the .50-50 shell that was designed for the single-shot Remington rolling block used by the Navy and Marines. This would have created quite a bit of blowby of the powder, but the round would have gone off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
H. K. Uriah, SASS #74619 Posted September 15, 2013 Author Share Posted September 15, 2013 Very simple answer: Why? Curiosity is an interesting thing. You just wonder if things are possible. That's why. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
H. K. Uriah, SASS #74619 Posted September 15, 2013 Author Share Posted September 15, 2013 The original Spencer cartridges were rimfires, no matter which chambering .56-56, .54-56, .52-56 and .50-56. The .50 Govt (.50-70) was always a centerfire cartridge even though the first 4-6 years of production was with an internal primer. The .50-70 chambered guns could be shot with the .50-50 shell that was designed for the single-shot Remington rolling block used by the Navy and Marines. This would have created quite a bit of blowby of the powder, but the round would have gone off. Okay... Mine has been converted for centerfire 56-50. So, again, just out of cuiosity, could these shortend 50-70's that have been turned into 56-50 Spencer Centerfire, be chambered and fired in a rifle chambered for .50-70? Sort of like putting 38 Specials in a .357 magnum. I am not saying I want to do it, I am just wondering if it is at least theoretically possible. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Boy Posted September 15, 2013 Share Posted September 15, 2013 Okay... Mine has been converted for centerfire 56-50. HK, are you sure the converted caliber is 56-50? Here's why I'm asking ... I have looked in every reference manual I have including one that lists 1406 different calibers. There was a 56-56 Experimental, vintage 1865 ... a .645 rimmed straight case. The 50-70 Govt is also a straight rimmed case but the rim diameter is .660 with a rim thickness of .07. The 56-56 has a rim thickness of .047 and neck diameter of .524. The 50-70 neck diameter is .535 So ... how about some dimensions for this mystery 56-50 caliber case you have including it's length? Because if it is really a 56-56 ... nice try but it won't fit in a 50-70 Govt and is 'theoretically and pratically not possible'. BTW - you picked the wrong forum to post this 'pie in the sky' question. There're Cowboys here not folks that do cartridge conversions as a steady diet Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Original Lumpy Gritz Posted September 15, 2013 Share Posted September 15, 2013 Just because you can(maybe), doesn't mean you really should. Besides, You would have better accuracy with a shotgun. LG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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