The Fabulous 50-70 Cartidge

[missionary5155]

Good afternoon
For my 5070 post I will continue my trend of writting about some favorite cartriges.
The 50-70 of course is one of the oldest. US Military was experimenting on all sorts of possibilities for infantry muskets. There were caliber 58 types. Then other lesser diameters and finally out came the 50-70. 450 grain bullets were average although these weights did vary a bit. The multi part cases were not very strong but were not intended to be reloaded nor water soaked. All in all a very effective round very capable to do the intended task. No "hostile" was safe hidding behind the neck of his horse if a squad could place rounds on target.
For me my first 50-70 came in a 1866 Allen conversion. Stock is a bit dinged and has a few issue but it shoots. The throat is fat but a 450 grain 40-1 cast at .515 on top of 63 grains of 2F ( cereal box wad) shoots to 4 inches at 100 yards on cross sticks.
My second is a 1870 model that is a bit nicer condition and better barrel. Using the same boolit (just fits), same load shoots to a bit over 3 inches at 100 yards. This rifle is my caliber .50 bowling pin rifle.
My third 50-70 is a 1868 model. Again a descent barrel but very fat throated. .517 is needed for best accuracy which is at 4 inches at 100 yards.
Then my way came a Sharps Carbine. This is one of the ones relined to caliber 50-70. This carbine flat hurts with a 450 grainer in T-shirt weather. So more aften I use a 350 grainer with 50 grains 2F and a thick wad under the boolit. Much nicer on my light weight shoulder.
I would not want to get hit with a caliber 50 40-1 350 or 450 grain boolit at any range or velocity. Illinois does not trust hunters to use even old BP cartridge rifles. But having shot enough gallon jugs of water, beach sand and wood blocks the impact is awsome and the exit holes huge. How I would like to dispatch a horse or cow with a 50-70. Looks like I will not legally get to smash a corn cruncher with one. But maybe a piggy one day....
Mike in Peru

[bikerbeans]

Mike,

Come to Ohio for deer season this fall, the 50-70 is now legal here.

BB

[ndnchf]

I too am a fan of the .50-70. I shoot a M1868 trapdoor and have found the Lee 515-450 bullet it be a very happy match. I've also tried the Lyman 515139 and 515141, and Rapine 350, but it prefers the Lee bullet. 25+ years ago I had a .50-70 Sharps carbine like yours. It was quite accurate, but indeed it kicked like mule. This was before I learned about the reduced carbine load...

Slightly related, I also shoot a 2 band Spencer infantry rifle that was converted by Springfield armory from carbine to rifle. The interesting part is that Springfield installed M1868 trapdoor barrels on these rifles. But it is chambered in .56-50. Oddly, it takes a longer cartridge than standard .56-50. I make them from shortened .50-70 brass. This rifle shoots exceptionally well with the Rapine 350 bullet and Goex 2F.

Since you mentioned the .58..., I also have a .58 caliber Remington rolling block. Its actually chambered for the .58 Roberts cartridge and I shoot it a fair bit too. Although to date, accuracy has been nothing to brag about. But its a lot of fun and never fails to gather spectators at the range. Here's a pic of my extra long .56-50 next to a .58 Roberts.

http://i1277.photobucket.com/albums/y493/ndnchf/BPCR/58compare_zps18f28a84.jpg (http://s1277.photobucket.com/user/ndnchf/media/BPCR/58compare_zps18f28a84.jpg.html)

[missionary5155]

Greetings ndnchf
I will have to look into the 58 Roberts. I know there were numerous caliber 58 tryouts.
I also have a caliber 50 Roller pistol that uses the 50-50 brass that I make from getting old 50-70. Round ball (.518) is my choice in that one as recoil is vicious with a boolit.

Hey bikerbeans
I am glad for you that even slow your state woke up some about deer and calibers. ILLinois is 10 years behind everyone with everything that has to do with reality. Sadly I will not be up long enough for any gun seasons this time. Peru changed the rules (again and again) and we can only be out for under 6 months. Gonna have to run an add for large animal termination.
Mike in Peru

[johnson1942]

why not a buffalo? their are ranchers here in western ne. and over in wyoming who have buffalo you can hunt. a lot of meat when you get it but a thrill of a life time. if your interested contact the shadbolt cattle co. they are one the internet for their beef. they have 100,000 acres of land to hunt on and are very regular guys. they are one of the biggest rancher in the us. their drive way is 7 mile long. you will see record antelope driveing to their house. they are cheaper in price for hunting than most. just a thought.

[StrawHat]

Mike,

I also like and enjoy the 50-70 cartridge. Mine is an 1866 barreled action that I found in my Pop's things after he passed away. Long story short, I ended up installing it in a replica Mississippi rifle and it is an unusual, but interesting, rifle.

Mine is content with either the Lyman 515141 or the Lee boolit. I have received the GB mold for the 450 HB 515 boolit and am looking forward to trying that one. I have been using GOEX and will give Olde Eynsford a try to see if it is different enough to make the switch. (As an aside, I am trying to find OE in 4F to run in a smaller cartridge.) I hear the fouling is much easier to deal with and I hope they are correct.

The more I use the 50-70 the less use I have for the 45-70, at least for hunting and plinking and that is all I do anymore.

[bob208]

I have a Springfield rolling block in .50-70. won some matches with it. also have a repro. 66 sharps carbine in .50-70. I use 60 gr. 1f with the 515414 lyman bullet cast from recovered .22 lead from an indoor range. that load in the carbine does drop a deer.

I thinking about building a Custer rolling block like on the midway youtube.

[Bob Busetti]

I was thinking about using 50/70 loads in my 50/95. The 76 seems to shoot the 450 gr. boolit very well at the 50/70 velocities.
Bob

[45 2.1]

Great cartridge...... I sure wish someone made a good copy of the 1871 RB in it.

[ndnchf]

Not to stray too far off topic, but if anyone is interested in my extra long .56-50 Spencer load development, I documented it here:
http://www.cascity.com/forumhall/index.php/topic,49533.0.html

And my Remington Rolling Block .58 Roberts load develoment here:
http://www.cascity.com/forumhall/index.php/topic,50010.0.html

[missionary5155]

Good morning
I also purchased the 450 hollow base mold. Should be a help in loading a 3F cartrige that any of the rifles can shoot well. But it may not pan out. I certainly am convinced I have no need to use it in the carbine with just a T shirt on those hot days.
Mike in Peru

[Bad Ass Wallace]

I have a modern reproduction Sharps but that doesn't detract from the fascination of the old cartridge! And its very accurate with almost all loads.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v152/BAWallace/rw_50_702.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/BAWallace/media/rw_50_702.jpg.html)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v152/BAWallace/5070targetA.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/BAWallace/media/5070targetA.jpg.html)

[enfield]

And let's not forget about the 12.7 x 44r Swedish rolling block (very close to 50-70 ). I have 2 that I use slightly shortened 50-70 brass in. Wonderful cartridge and not to hard on the BP supply.

[dubber123]

Mines a bit shorter than most, but still very accurate and fun..

http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh83/dubber123/IMG_3023.jpg (http://s254.photobucket.com/user/dubber123/media/IMG_3023.jpg.html)

[Ibgreen]

Or the 56-50. A pint sized .515 that was developed into the 50-70. I plan on getting something chambered in 50-70 so that I can recycle brass for my 56-50.

[Nobade]

Mines a bit shorter than most, but still very accurate and fun..

http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh83/dubber123/IMG_3023.jpg (http://s254.photobucket.com/user/dubber123/media/IMG_3023.jpg.html)

I would think you have to be careful to not set the deer on fire with that on close shots! I bet that's pretty neat shooting it in dark woods.

-Nobade

[bikerbeans]

dubber123,

you build that handgun? That is a very nice sidearm, I like it!

BB

[TXGunNut]

Hmmm....now I'm going to have to research that multi-part case thing.

[Dutchman]

The Swedish 12,7x42R is .50-75-345 in Gringo lingo. And rimfire to boot. I can shoot 450 gr .512" bullets but they clock around 1,100 fps while 350 gr manage 1,350 fps. Both are very accurate out of the various Swedish rolling block rifles and the one 1885 artillery carbine I had with its 18" barrel.

http://images108.fotki.com/v1623/photos/2/28344/3886627/127x44Re-vi.jpg

http://images40.fotki.com/v1241/photos/2/28344/413241/85a-vi.jpg

http://images15.fotki.com/v1624/photos/2/28344/413259/DSCF9705cc-vi.jpg

http://images40.fotki.com/v1300/photos/2/28344/1097595/74a-vi.jpg

Dutch

[StrawHat]

Here is the 50-70 I referenced in my post. A little brassy, but I like it.

http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc194/StrawHat/MississippiTrapdoor004.jpg (http://s214.photobucket.com/user/StrawHat/media/MississippiTrapdoor004.jpg.html)

[missionary5155]

Good morning
The photos are a nice addition. That is the problem being 5500 away from most of the articles.
I have been waiting for a Roller to come along. Have numerous in various calibers but a 50-70 still eludes me.

A hand gun... Probably in reality it would not "come alive" much worse than the caliber 69 flint pistols. Sure would be effective at knocking down a preditor. I do have 2 Roller 50-45's that are fun with round ball. Two caliber 50 RB's per shell would be a fine CC pistol.

Strawhat |That is a fine looking rifle. That looks like many rifles that were gunsmith repaired with what ever on hand parts. The brass I think I would let turn that mustard color (Might even speed it up) but I would hunt with it.
Mike in Peru

[nekshot]

what is the twist for these 50's?

[missionary5155]

Howdy
I think Springfield used 1-42 twist.
Going to have to try some 450 grainers in the 1876 Chappy 50-95. It shot the 350's so well I never tried the heavier weights. I have always wanted a 50-70 lever rifle. The 50-95 has that 2.6 OAL feed restiction (lifter) but if it will still hold near 65 grains of 3F that woud make it a good 100 thumper.
Mike in Peru

[WARD O]

I did buy one of the Lone Star RB's back when Dave was alive - it's a great rifle and very accurate. I use the old Remington style rough and ready sight with great results. Shot a nice little north woods buck here in Minnesota a couple seasons back. Lately I've been shooting 425 grain paper patched with 70 grains of 2F. Very pleasant to shoot and has been quite happy with several different bullets I've tried through it. Pretty much all going to the same point of aim at 100 yards. Really a very satisfying rifle!

ward

[nekshot]

Thanks Mike, that is good news to me. I have a 50 cal barrel with a 48 inch twist that is contoured and threaded for a 98 mauser. It looks neat on a action and I was playing with 300 rem ultra brass cut off at shoulder, I can get 85 grains or whatever the black powder throws in it. I really want to get this going but I am running out of actions so I might have to make a single shot for it. Thrust on those must not be to bad to have on those roller actions.

[griffiga]

I've just joined the forum and was excited to see something recent regarding the good old 50-70. I have been a .50-70 fan ever since I purchased a Garrett Arms carbine back in the 1970's and I still have it today. I purchased cases, dies and a mould from Dixie and have killed several deer, elk, rabbits and a whole lot of rocks with it. Since then, I have picked up a 1868 trapdoor and a Freund Bros converted Remington RB. I have done a fair amount of research and even wrote a couple of articles for online magazines about the .50-70. For anyone interested here's the website for one in particular: http://www.quarterbore.com/library/articles/5070.html. Anyway, I will be keeping an eye on this thread.

[dubber123]

dubber123,

you build that handgun? That is a very nice sidearm, I like it!

BB

It's a 6-1/2" Bullberry barrel, which fits the stock forend. I had it on a Gen 1 frame for a while, but that frame was beat and had been rebuilt once at the factory, so it's now on the new G2 frame with a 1.5# trigger job. This thing is way more accurate than many would think, easily under 1" at 50 yds. with several different boolits. I have gotten groups as small as .558" A 450 grain boolit runs about 1,050 fps. The LEE 450 is actually the accuracy champ of the 4-5 molds I tried.

[Col4570]

http://i1052.photobucket.com/albums/s452/livebattery/RemintonRollingBlockRifle5070Cal001.jpg (http://s1052.photobucket.com/user/livebattery/media/RemintonRollingBlockRifle5070Cal001.jpg.html)
This is my Reminton Rolling Block Rifle in 50.70 cal.This page is of interest to me since I want to work up a load for it.I have shot a 530 Grain PP bullet,the recoil is heavy.I have a feeling that a lighter Bullet might help.

[missionary5155]

Greetings Griffiga
Good to have you about the place. You are welcome to add anything about the 50 Gov. you care. There are many people who have a bare passing knowledge these cartridges and rifles are still smoking.

COL4570 If you try any weight under 400 grains you will be amazed how much recoil is reduced. I do much of my Trapdoor shooting with 350-400 (or so) grainers. My little bony shoulders appreciate the help. And try cross sticks. Or even a rig on the bench that lets you sit up straight and roll with the recoil. I personally like sitting ibn the dirt so crossticks fit me well. Plus when I go groundhog shooting I take my sticks for longer shots and am already well used to them.
Mike in Peru

[enfield]

Mike, are you saying the 50-70 is you varmint gun, that's great ! I too have shoulders like a brook trout, so I find 58gr 2f and either the Lyman 340gr or the Lee 450gr is a nice shooting load.

[Frank V]

I just found this thread. The .50-70 is an interesting ctg. one day I'd like to have one maybe in a rolling block. It's very historical & I've read that the "big 50" often refered to in the Bison hunting era might well have been the .50-70. Has anyone reloading it used 3FG black? I've loaded a lot of .45 Colt Ctgs with GOEX 3FG, & some .50 cal. muzzle loaders, but never a rifle ctg. I have thought about trying it in my .45 2-1/10, but haven't yet.
Thanks.

Col4570, I like that rifle!

[varsity07840]

http://i1052.photobucket.com/albums/s452/livebattery/RemintonRollingBlockRifle5070Cal001.jpg (http://s1052.photobucket.com/user/livebattery/media/RemintonRollingBlockRifle5070Cal001.jpg.html)
This is my Reminton Rolling Block Rifle in 50.70 cal.This page is of interest to me since I want to work up a load for it.I have shot a 530 Grain PP bullet,the recoil is heavy.I have a feeling that a lighter Bullet might help.

That's an interesting RB. At the risk of sounding stuffy, are you sure that you chambering is .50-70 and not metric, perhaps Swedish? The stock configuration, rear sling swivel location and hammer style don't correspond with models normally associated with the .50-70 cal. At any rate if it is an "American" .50-70 the relatively slow 1/42 twist would do better with a shorter, lighter bullet in the 450 gr. range.

Duane

[Col4570]

It has the Remington Ilion Address on the top tang,It has the Slide extractor and takes both 50.70 and 12.7x44 rounds.I suspect that it may have been rebarreled at some time since it has 7 groove rifling.It has the Star and crescent stampings so it could have been for the Egyptian or Turkish military.It has the Bayonette Bar.

[Bad Ass Wallace]

Interesting, my 50/70 will not fit the 12.7x44? I made cases for it from 450/400NE cases for a perfect fit but the 50/70 is just too large in the head.

[Col4570]

This one takes the 50.70s perfectly but with the 12.7s there is a slight swelling in front of the head when fire formed.

[outsidebear]

An original Peabody .50 rimfire carbine shipped to South Carolina in 1877. It came from a gunsmith's estate. He'd refinished it, opened up the chamber to .50-70, and converted the rimfire firing pin system to center fire. Presently using a 420 gr FP LBT style cast bullet ahead of enough 5744 to get 1250+ fps. A bit of a 'thump' to the shoulder when fired from a bench n' wearing a t-shirt! Charcoal powder loads are in the works.

Second iron is a Peabody Sporting Rifle, also in .50 1 3/4". The crescent butt is kinder when shooting offhand, compared to when firing from the bench.

As one Poster commented, the more he shoots the .50-70, the more his .45-70 sets on the side line. Can well understand that! It's a grand cartridge and will handle most anything you'd care to hunt.

[John in PA]

Man, those Peabody's are uglier than a mud fence!!! Give me my old Remingmarchester chambered in .267 Needleblower any day!!! [smilie=l: :holysheep

I need a couple barn door props. Let me just take them off your hands so's you don't have to be embarassed at the range no more....

[outsidebear]

[smilie=s: John in PA.....
Too funny... :2_high5:

The more I use these two in .50 1 3/4", the more I like n' appreciate them n' the cartridge...

Many folks aren't familiar with Peabody carbines, rifles, Sporting Rifles (being one of the scarcest of US single shots, Sporting Rifles), other than seeing pictures of them. Lots of nice history in the Peabody.

With most 'hunting' situations: when one gets to the upper limits of hunting performance with a caliber/bore size, and bullet weight . . . the next level of improvement is to go to the next, or a larger, bore size to see improvements in performance on game. Example: .38 caliber to .40 caliber; .40 to .45; .45 to .50. Each has their own merits.

[Whiterabbit]

I too am a fan of the .50-70. I shoot a M1868 trapdoor and have found the Lee 515-450 bullet it be a very happy match. I've also tried the Lyman 515139 and 515141, and Rapine 350, but it prefers the Lee bullet. 25+ years ago I had a .50-70 Sharps carbine like yours. It was quite accurate, but indeed it kicked like mule. This was before I learned about the reduced carbine load...

Slightly related, I also shoot a 2 band Spencer infantry rifle that was converted by Springfield armory from carbine to rifle. The interesting part is that Springfield installed M1868 trapdoor barrels on these rifles. But it is chambered in .56-50. Oddly, it takes a longer cartridge than standard .56-50. I make them from shortened .50-70 brass. This rifle shoots exceptionally well with the Rapine 350 bullet and Goex 2F.

Since you mentioned the .58..., I also have a .58 caliber Remington rolling block. Its actually chambered for the .58 Roberts cartridge and I shoot it a fair bit too. Although to date, accuracy has been nothing to brag about. But its a lot of fun and never fails to gather spectators at the range. Here's a pic of my extra long .56-50 next to a .58 Roberts.

http://i1277.photobucket.com/albums/y493/ndnchf/BPCR/58compare_zps18f28a84.jpg (http://s1277.photobucket.com/user/ndnchf/media/BPCR/58compare_zps18f28a84.jpg.html)

I need a 5 shot revolver chambered in one of those.

Even a 4 shot, I bet there would be plenty of space in between the rims for the pin etc!

[LIMPINGJ]

Some very nice rifles in the pics. I have a mold just need to find a rifle to go with it. A Trapdoor would be neat to find, I wish that Uberti would chamber theirs in 50-70. I have been saving for a Shiloh Carbine but still have a ways to go.

[ndnchf]

WhiteRabbit - either of those would be a handful in a revolver, but it would be a lot of fun - especially the .58!

Limpingj - original model 1868 trapdoors are not hard to find at reasonable prices and in good condition, no need for a repro. Many have good to excellent bores due to their limited use.

[outsidebear]

Limpingj: maybe take a look at C. Sharps Hunter's Carbine http://csharpsarms.com/catalog-detail/31/Model-1874-Carbine-Hunter-s-Rifle.html The shotgun metal butt plate is offered on this model, which is more friendly on your shoulder than the military butt plate. Just saying... I've a 1977 vintage Shiloh military carbine in .45-70, military metal butt plate, and it's not too bad for recoil with standard loads. The same type of carbine with the shotgun butt plate is much better on the shoulder. Something to consider: one of the two companies offers only models listed in their catalog; whereas the other company offers to built how you want the carbine/rifle to be built for your preferences - Shiloh or C. Sharps.

As ndnchf mentions, the 1868's are out there, just takes some looking.

Not matter what route you go, you'll enjoy the .50-70.

[John in PA]

An 1868 or 1870 Springfield Trapdoor would make a fine shooter (Don't know if I'd be as keen on an 1866 due to substantially weaker breeching) Also Remington/Springfield 1871 Army rolling block with the locking action can be found without too much difficulty, often in fine condition. All these guns are fine shooters, and with proper care, will appreciate in value with time. Tell the mrs. it's an investment. (Actually, my collector firearms have appreciated much better over time than my other "so-called" investments {those found on Wall Street!!})

[missionary5155]

Outsidebear.. thanks for adding the Peabody photos. I have a NJ marked 45-70 Peabody Musket sitting in the Vermilion County War Museum, Danville, ILLinois on display. Peabody are good actions and very reliable. I have not seen one in 50-70 but if I ever do and it is for sale I will sure try to buy it. I do like mine in caliber .45.
Mike in Peru

[John in PA]

NJ marked .45-70?? I was not aware that NJ bought any Peabody's. Mass, Conn, and one of the Carolinas, I recall reading about. I'll have to recheck Hull's book. Do you have any pics of the markings? Swivels or no swivels?

As far as legitimate .50-70 factory muskets, I have yet to see one. I have one that was redone by someone and represented on Gunbroker by the dealer and seller as factory, but upon inspection, OBVIOUSLY is NOT. Someone on ASSRA (IIRC?) said they had a Peabody-Martini military in .50-70. THAT would be a rare bird, too.

[missionary5155]

Howdy John in Pa
I have not seen mine in two years so am working off memory which sometimes is faulty. May well be Mass or Conn. But it is a musket in caliber 45-70. I will be back north there the end of the month.
I do know I was pleased to discover it had a good tight throat ( under .460) and did not need overly fat boolits to deliver dscent accuracy.
Mike in Peru

[John Boy]

No 1 Remington RB 50-70 501 507 1:26 5# 15oz

Lee 515-450F 1:20 Starline CCI BR2 Swiss FFg 70gr 0.075 Felt 1263 Avg 13.8 SD

A 1000yd 'Miss' at Homer. The swinger kept going around and around! :-D
http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd220/Meadowmucker/Ridgway%20May%202009/IMGP0220.jpg (http://s222.photobucket.com/user/Meadowmucker/media/Ridgway%20May%202009/IMGP0220.jpg.html)

[StrawHat]

No 1 Remington RB 50-70 501 507 1:26 5# 15oz

Lee 515-450F 1:20 Starline CCI BR2 Swiss FFg 70gr 0.075 Felt 1263 Avg 13.8 SD

A 1000yd 'Miss' at Homer. The swinger kept going around and around! :-D

John Boy,

I know somewhere I have read the details of the miss but would you recap them for my aging memory?

[outsidebear]

missionary5155: as mentioned, the South Carolina Peabody .50-70 carbine had had the bore opened up from .50 rimfire to .50-70.
The custom Sporting Rifle .50--70 in the pictures was built on a brand new action (late 1990's) and I had it barreled with a Badger barrel and chambered in .50-70. I'm a fledgling when it comes to Peabody's, but have not seen or heard of a factory chambered Peabody in .50-70?

"As far as legitimate" oh no . . . it appears I have 'illegitmate' Peabodys!! shhh, please don't let 'em hear that...

[outsidebear]

missionary5155: some food for thought - should you come across a .50 rimfire chambered Peabody (rifle or carbine), preferably one not highly desirable as a collector's one (or even if so), it's not a major conversion to convert the rimfire into a centerfire breech block. Of course for a collector quality one, it'd be better to have a separate rimfire breech block for a conversion. Once that's done, the rimfire chamber is shorter than that of the .50-70 chamber length, but is longer than the .56-50 Starline brass. The .56-50 Starline brass is shorter than the original .50 rimfire chamber length - it's similar to shooting a .38 Special in a .357 magnum chamber, kinda-sorta! You can also trim .50-70 brass to the length of the original .50 rimfire case length. An additional situation to keep in mind: the Canadian Peabody .50 rimfire chambers were .50 rimfire length, yet the Dominion of Canadia used .56-50 Spencer ammunition (as they did in their Spencers), this for logistics in supplying troops with ammunition. I mention this as by using the shorter length .56-50 case the longer .50 rimfire chamber will most likely have plenty of gunk/lead/caked powder in the front of the .50 rimfire chamber....the same as if you shot .38 Special ammunition for a long time in a .357 magnum chamber. Plenty of time for all of this IF you get into a .50 rimfire Peabody. Best of luck in finding a .50 rimfire Peabody out there...

[missionary5155]

Howdy outsidebear
Saw a caliber .50 Rimfire Peabody on Gunbroker for $1195. I also watched it end and is probably back up.
When I saw it for sale I figured it would be a simple conversion but on the costly side just to have a carbine. May yet one day see it all come together. Caliber .50 is so nice for close in hunting.
Mike in Peru

[outsidebear]

missionary5155: initial cost of a Peabody (carbine or rifle) probably not too far out of line for other similar type antique firearms. Cost for converting the rimfire block to central fire, not sure how much that'd run, but that'd probably be you main cost - unless able to perform the conversion work yourself. Brass from Starline .56-50 or .50-70 similarly priced with other same types of brass. Yes, there's cost, but not really out of line if were going another quality antique carbine or rifle and reloading items. As myself and a couple of other members have mentioned, a Trapdoor in .50-70 should be a lesser cost range to work with? If wanting a Peabody .50 cal carbine, just gotta set on the fence like a vulture patiently waiting for one that will work for you to come along - only took me about 12 years to get a .50 cal Peabody carbine! Now, as of about 2 years ago, they're coming outa the woodwork and being seen for sale more often. I wish you well in your quest...

[StrawHat]

Some replacement parts for Peabody's are here, of course, so are completed rifles and carbines.

http://www.providencetoolcompanyllc.com/index.html

[outsidebear]

StrawHat: I'd not looked at their web site for about 7 months now. They're really coming along - great to see their Peabody being offered, which most likely introduces the Peabody action type to most folks? I'd talked with Frank last year about their hammer. He said it's a direct copy/duplicate from a .43 Spanish Peabody. I need to order one to have on hand.

Anyone seeking to convert a .50 rimfire to carbine or rifle using an original Peabody breech block would be well advised to get one of their new hammers. Why? Because the rimfire hammer and the central fire hammer are different in the area where the nose of the hammer strikes the firing pin. A rimfire hammer will not work with an original Peabody central fire breech block unless you use a spacer between the hammer and lock plate to extend the hammer outwards from the lock plate a small amount. So if using a .43 Spanish type of hammer there's no need for the spacer, as when using a rimfire hammer.

Yup, gonna order one of their hammers for use with one of my all still original Peabody .50 rimfire carbines - I have a .43 Spanish breech block I bought in 2002, and it replaces the rimfire breech block and works just fine.

[missionary5155]

Good evening
Thanks strawhat for the link. That was very interesting. Sadly no caliber .50.
But one will show up. Patience and constant watching always pays off.
Mike in Peru