Guide to Reloading .50-70 (.50-70 Government) Ammunition

Introduction

In case you’ve arrived at this web page, it’s possible you’ll be eager about reloading .50-70 (.50-70 Authorities). Maybe you have just lately acquired a Springfield Trapdoor, Spencer, or maybe a Rolling Block rifle in .50-70 Authorities and it’s possible you’ll be questioning the way you’re ever going to shoot that factor. An affordable first query that ought to come earlier than that’s “must you?” Our advice is to get the firearm checked out completely by a professional gunsmith. Have it completely evaluated for security and talent to fireplace a spherical. If it checks out, proceed with warning, in any other case grasp it on the wall. Your loved ones with be grateful, whether or not or not they realize it.

Often, somebody makes ammunition out there for it, however ammo hasn’t been generally produced for this caliber for almost a century and a half. Whereas we have now sometimes discovered a couple of uncommon distributors producing some (see the hyperlink on the backside of this text), your greatest guess might be going to be to make some your self.

Fortuitously, there are a variety of producers that make tooling and provides that allow you to make your individual. The most important subject as of late is discovering brass, which if out there in any respect, is commonly very costly. The whole lot else is fairly easy.

Starline Brass sometimes produces brass for reloading .50-70. When it is out there, it may be bought right here.

Reloading dies for this caliber are made by Hornady, RCBS, and Lyman and can be found right here.

Bullets are usually .515, and out there from all kinds of bullet casting firms. We have had good outcomes with lubed and sized bullets from Montana Precision, which together with dies for making your individual, might be discovered right here. There are many firms that make hardcast lead bullets suitable with 50-70. Additionally, Lyman and Lee each make molds for casting your individual bullets, for those who want.

Black Powder Reloading .50-70

One complicated factor about reloading .50-70 Authorities with black powder is the title. The .50-70 was a .50 caliber spherical initially designed to carry 70 grains of black powder. You seemingly DO NOT need to use that a lot powder in your 150+ 12 months previous weapon. The unique spherical used a 450 grain lead bullet. The maximal stress for this spherical is 22,500 PSI, which might be produced with a load of solely 65 grains of FFg black powder. Most of the older rifles will tolerate far much less stress.

Because of the age of those rifles, we advocate you begin out with minimal masses first. As all the time, seek the advice of a number of of the reloading manuals that embrace information for this spherical and the rifle you are aspiring to shoot.

Bullet Varieties & Weights

A variety of bullet varieties and weights can be utilized for .50-70 black powder reloading, from 350 to 500 grains. These are usually lead bullets and are available in numerous shapes:

Spherical Nostril Flat Level (RNFP) – Nice for goal taking pictures and quick to mid-range looking.

Hole Level (HP) – Good for looking, because the bullet expands upon influence, creating a bigger wound channel.

Conical – Usually used for long-range taking pictures, as a consequence of its aerodynamic form.

Historically, the bullet diameter for the .50-70 is roughly .515 inches, though some might go for a barely bigger or smaller bullet primarily based on the particular dimensions of their rifle’s bore. The load of the bullet generally ranges from 400 to 500 grains, with 450 grains being a well-liked selection for historic accuracy. Bullet shapes for this caliber typically range, however the most typical is the lead spherical nostril (LRN), which mimics the design of the unique army subject projectiles.

One other form that is in style amongst reloaders is the flat level (FP), which provides good accuracy and stopping energy. Gentle level (SP) and hole level (HP) designs are much less generally used for this caliber, significantly within the context of historic firearms, however can be found for individuals who want to use them. These various shapes and weights can have a direct influence on the ballistics of the cartridge, together with its muzzle velocity, trajectory, and terminal efficiency. Thus, when reloading .50-70 cartridges, it is essential to contemplate these components at the side of the particular firearm you are utilizing to make sure optimum efficiency and security.

Primers

Massive rifle primers are used for reloading .50-70 Authorities. Model doesn’t matter considerably, however consistency in utilizing the identical model might help keep accuracy. Examples embrace the CCI #200, Federal 210, or Winchester Massive Rifle Primers.

Cartridge Dimensions

The case size for the .50-70 Authorities is usually 1.75 inches, and the general size of the loaded spherical is roughly 2.25-2.30 inches. The width of the case on the mouth is .535, and the width of the cartridge wall simply above the rim is .565. The rim width is .660 vast and .065 deep. Make sure you trim the instances constantly to keep up accuracy.

Hundreds and Pressures

Black powder masses for reloading 50-70 often use Fg or FFg grade black powder. A maximal load (not advisable) could be 70 grains of Fg or FFg black powder – do your analysis on-line and in books to find out the pressures and cargo that may be tolerated by your explicit rifle. DO NOT START WITH MAXIMAL LOADS — as an alternative, after you have performed your analysis, begin with the minimal load that works.

Given the variations in black powder, it is advisable to start out with a diminished load (10-15% lower than the standard load) and steadily work as much as a full load whereas observing for indicators of extreme stress (flattened primers, tough extraction, and so on.). Overloading could cause catastrophic failure of the firearm.

Black Powder equivalents comparable to Pyrodex could also be used, however usually are not advisable except you are very accustomed to them and clear your firearms after utilizing them. We choose to stay to actual black powder.

Smokeless Powder Reloading

A lot of the older firearms weren’t designed for the pressures sometimes produced through the use of full-strength masses with smokeless powder. We advocate and like black powder masses for reloading .50-70. In case you should use smokeless, be sure that the load information you utilize is fastidiously chosen and suitable along with your particular firearm. Dependable sources of load information for this endeavor are very exhausting to seek out. Lyman’s Reloading Handbook 51st version seems to be the one one of many well-known authoritative reloading guides to proceed to publish .50-70 information. (please tell us for those who uncover in any other case)

This subject has been mentioned in boards right here. Most of the of us on this discussion board are hardcore specialists, nonetheless, the editors of this website haven’t got sufficient sensible expertise with the options they’ve made to endorse their options — proceed at your individual danger.

Bullet Varieties & Weights

A variety of bullet varieties and weights can be utilized for reloading .50-70 with smokeless powder, from 350 to 500 grains.

Primers

As with black powder reloading, massive rifle primers are used for reloading the .50-70 Authorities for smokeless powder.

Hundreds and Pressures

Smokeless powder masses for reloading .50-70 are sometimes a lot lighter than black powder masses because of the greater power content material of smokeless powder. It’s normal to see masses round 30-40 grains and even a lot lighter, relying on the particular powder.

All the time discuss with a dependable reloading guide for the particular sort of smokeless powder you are utilizing. Moreover, because you’re coping with older firearms, beginning masses ought to be diminished by not less than 10% to make sure security. Look ahead to indicators of excessive stress.

Concerns for Totally different Rifles

Springfield Trapdoor

The Springfield Trapdoor is usually much less sturdy than different rifles, so keep on with the decrease finish of load information. All the time begin with diminished masses and steadily work up, expecting stress indicators. The bullet weight ought to usually be round 405-500 grains.

Sharps

The Sharps rifle can deal with greater pressures and heavier bullets than the Trapdoor. Nevertheless, extreme stress can nonetheless harm the rifle or trigger harm. Begin with diminished masses and work up, expecting stress indicators. Bullet weights can vary from 350-500 grains.

Rolling Block

Just like the Sharps, the Rolling Block can deal with greater pressures and heavier bullets. Bullet weights can vary from 350-500 grains. Observe the identical process: begin with diminished masses and work up, expecting stress indicators.

Reloading .50-70 might be plenty of enjoyable! Reloading ammunition for older, historic rifles like these requires explicit care. The power and situation of particular person firearms can range tremendously, and a load that’s protected in a single rifle may not be protected in one other. All the time begin with diminished masses, work up steadily, and look ahead to indicators of excessive stress.

Disclaimer: Reloading ammunition is a critical and probably harmful endeavor. It requires cautious consideration to element, applicable security measures, and intensive data in regards to the supplies and methods concerned. In case you determine to reload your individual ammunition, concentrate on the inherent dangers and take obligatory precautions. This information assumes you’re accustomed to the fundamental technique of reloading ammunition and shouldn’t be the one useful resource you utilize to study reloading.

In case you’re not into reloading .50-70, there may very well be some factory-produced ammo from Buffalo Arms out there for those who’re fortunate sufficient to seek out some once they have it in inventory. Verify to see if it is in inventory right here.

Now we have an article that covers the .50-70 Authorities cartridge itself. Learn it right here.

The next books are extremely advisable:

One other improbable useful resource on Black Powder reloading is Mike Venturino’s e book, discovered right here. Whereas Lyman’s Reloading Handbook 51st version has a single web page on .50-70 reloading, Lyman has a black powder reloading e book too. Oddly, It doesn’t cowl reloading 50-70 Authorities. Different reloading manuals might be discovered right here.

If you realize of any boards or websites that ought to be referenced on this itemizing, please tell us right here.