the 50-70 cartridge

[catkiller45]

I never see much about the 50-70 cartridge..I have a navy arms in this cal and am wondering what most guys are using as far as bullet alloy..I am planning on going with my old standby which is 50-50 of wheel weights and lead...I am planning on working with smokeless powder as well...Don't get in an up roar about the black powder...I shoot a lot of this dirty stinky stuff in my 45-70 and 45-120..But have been shooting some 5744 in the 120 with a 500 grain pill and with good results as well....
Makes it less work to clean the cases after...No blow tube or wiping between shots as well.....
But getting back to the 50-70...I am thinking of using the bullet as cast which measures at around .515 inch..Do you think this will be a leading issue or not...Thanks for your replys....John

[missionary5155]

Soft I have a Trapdoor 1868 and use as little tin asd possible to get easy casting boolits. I bet it is about 40-1 or less. I actually use this mix for most my casting under 1100 fps.

[montana_charlie]

Do you think this will be a leading issue or not...
Since smokeless makes lead bump up differently than BP does...
I can't say.
Maybe the guys in the Single Shot Guns section would know...
CM

[WBH]

I have an original Remington RB in 50-70 that on a rare occasion I shoot that new white stuff (when I am being lazy)

I have used RCBS 50-515 sized to .512 (determined after slugging my bore)
and the Lee 515-500 also sized to .512".

Powder of choice is 5744. OAL and bullet sizing are, of course, related to each individual rifle.

I can't seem to find the specific load date right now. If I can find it sometime soon I will post it.

Alloy is my usual 1:20 with my home brew lube.

[dubber123]

If it chambers, I wouldn't hesitate to shoot it. I have shot .004" or more over bore size through my 50-70 with straight WW's, and smokeless. No problems for me.

I have found a fatter boolit leads less than an undersized one anyways.

[StrawHat]

I use an alloy that is no harder than 30/1 lead/tin. Usually 40/1.

A good soft lube and black powder.

As for diameter, a couple thousandths over bore size is good.

Which Navy Arms rifle?

[catkiller45]

Which Navy Arms rifle?



1885 rolling block...sorry I forgot to mention this in my earlier post

[NickSS]

I own three original trapdoors in that caliber and they all take 515 diamerter bullets. However, I also shoot a C. Sharps 50-70 and I can;t chamber a bullet loaded in Starline brass if the slug is over 512" diameter. It has a tight chamber and the literature that came with the rifle says that .512" is the maximum diameter for bullets. The original GI bullet was a hollow base 450 gr slug swaged from pure lead over 70 gr of powder. Bullet diamerter was .508" diamerter per an original round that I pulled down.

[Lon I. Toler]

I don't have any experience with .50-70. However, I have had very good results using 4759 in an original 76 Winchester .45-60. I have tried 4198 but too much pressure, too little velocity. My pet load is 300 gr soft copper jacket hollow point w/23.5 grains of 4759. I have taken elk, black bear and many, many deer with this combo. Have tried black. It shoots fine and the smoke is cool. But the cleanup is awful. I want to try Trail Boss but haven't yet. I also want to try really soft lead w/paper patch but don't know how.

[missionary5155]

Greetings Lon I and Welcome !
I have an 1876 45-60. The barrel was cut back to 22 inches before me. Thanks for the info on the 4759. I will give that powder a try next time we are up at our northern home.

[WBH]

Lon,
As I am sure you know, the '76 like it's little brother, the '73 is a weak action design. The 2 toggles that hold that thin bolt were greatly improved with the '86 and the '92. I have both first and second generation '73's and enjoy shooting them quite a bit. I am just ever diligent about the pressure limitations and only shoot 20:1 lead tine alloy bullets. Most of the time I load cowboy action loads and plink. The 32-20 is a fun little gun and the 44-40's are just like taking a ride back in time.

And a hearty welcome to you as well. This is a great board with scads of info and expertise. Enjoy.