Finding 50-70 Govt. Brass

Howdy all,

I had recently acquired a 1869 Trapdoor rifle chambered in 50-70 Government. I had posted a thread regarding reloading the cartridge but now I am running into the problem of finding brass. Most websites including Starline have it either out of stock or on back order. I was hoping to be able to shoot this rifle soon as I have all the other supplies to reload except for the brass. Is there a way to form brass from another cartridge? It seems I am about 3 years late to finding brass for this rifle as most forums and posts were from 2019 when it was still in stock. Thanks to any help anyone can give.

In times like these you may need to jump on a backorder list, when available, or post a want to buy here in swapping and selling.

But you will need to read the rules for that section and establish your membership more too...

This site has lots of members with stuff too good to throw away...

Brownell's has Starline .50-90 Sharps straight wall in stock.
It's a pain, but you can trim them down for your .50-70.

Somebody used to sell a basic .50 straight wall shell that you could trim down from the
full length of .50-120, all the way down to the .50-70.

The old BP .45 and .50 straight walls work like a big giant .22 rimfire.
A .22LR is the same as the .22short on the sides and down there on the rear end.

Maybe this helps, at times midway has had 32 ga brass shells. It might be possible use 32 ga brass, but I am not sure.

https://castboolits.gunloads.com/sho...-and-the-50-90

Attachment 302352

I've seen other posts where 32 gauge was recomended. However, 32 gauge is of a larger diameter. My Starline 50-70 goes .558 at the base and once fired 32 is .565, can't find an unfired case, must have used them all. 50-70 rim is .068, 32 gauge is a shotgun rim of .050.
If you're using a die set it may work as sizing down may put the rim against the breech block. But be aware that CBC brass is folded head and a caliper will tell you the cavity goes right to the rim. If your chamber is big enough it might work okay. If you are running black p owder things should be okay, but a smokeless load may not be. I u a green dot load in a 450 martini that was recommended by a guy with much credibility. However I was using CBC brass and had to discombobolate the rifle to get the breechblock open. Since then I've fired many rounds of CBC brass. I use it in my martinis, Snider's, and gahendra. Just remember that with smokeless you probably will need enough brass to reach past the extractor, not there on CBC shotshells. John

Starline get on their backorder list they will fill as soon as they get some

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by barnetmill

Maybe this helps, at times midway has had 32 ga brass shells. It might be possible use 32 ga brass, but I am not sure.

https://castboolits.gunloads.com/sho...-and-the-50-90

Attachment 302352

---

I've used those to make 50 army for a 1871 rolling block handgun. Wouldn't hesitate to try it for black powder 50-70. Probably hold more powder than solid head cases too.