Any .50-70 shooteers here?

[PBSmith]

Just became owner of a Remington Rolling Block long rifle and am not 100% sure of the caliber. However, after slugging the bore and making some measurements at the breech, I believe it might be a 50-70. Anyone here have a dummy round or old case they would care to send along for verification?

I'd dearly love to shoot this rifle. If it turns out to be a .50-70, are cases available at a reasonable cost?

Thanks. Look forward to your response.

PBSmith.

[Bad Ass Wallace]

Starline make new brass and Lyman loading dies. For boolits Lyman has the 515142 (450gn).
My rifle is a Pedersoli 'Long Range' Sharps which is very accurate with black powder.

https://i.imgur.com/7Rj84YXl.jpg

[gc45]

Do a chamber cast to be sure. You will learn a lot more than just dropping a case in there.

[15meter]

If it is a 50-70, for an inexpensive mold start with the Lee 2-cavity mold, 515-450-F. I shot it for years over 5744 to good effect.

Moved on to a NOE 400 grain mold, easier on the lead stash, easier on a 150+ year old rifle and easier on my shoulder.

[namsag]

I would be a .50-70 shooter if I could find a nice rifle for it!

[RustyReel]

Not quite a 50/70 but I have shot a few Swedish 12.7x44R's. Used shortened 50/70 and 50AK brass. 50/70 starting loads. Shot pretty well with the Lee mold. Also tried the Lyman 515139 (330 gr) which was wild in the rifles I tried it in. Have fun.

[StrawHat]

There have been a few 50-70 threads. All were interesting.

Here are some links,

https://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?28334-50-70-Government

https://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?130862-50-70

https://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?122893-50-70

https://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?97965-50-70-Springfield

https://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?73193-50-70-Gov-t

https://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?239954-The-Fabulous-50-70-Cartidge

https://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?306504-Shooting-a-1866-Trapdoor-Springfield

https://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?304454-50-70-trapdoor-question

https://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?302750-50-70-questions

https://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?297757-50-70-Gov-t

https://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?290059-Springfield-Trapdoor-50-70

https://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?296963-2nd-allin-conversion

Kevin

[dtknowles]

Just became owner of a Remington Rolling Block long rifle and am not 100% sure of the caliber. However, after slugging the bore and making some measurements at the breech, I believe it might be a 50-70. Anyone here have a dummy round or old case they would care to send along for verification?

I'd dearly love to shoot this rifle. If it turns out to be a .50-70, are cases available at a reasonable cost?

Thanks. Look forward to your response.

PBSmith.

Your inbox is full and won't accept messages.

Tim

[ian45662]

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20230522/2ab4c6fff13b3698a6e9742c1eb8cbad.jpg
I grabbed a nice 50-70 roller over the winter. I have been using light loads for it. The 450 grain Lee bullet cast from pure lead. 45 grains of Swiss 1.5 and some filler. Here is a 50 yard off hand group with that load.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[MOA]

If it's a Remington it will have the name on the tang. If fifty caliber it's likely a 12.17 x 44mmR or 42mmR. Be sure to check out how much lead is in the barrel. These bores have deep grooves. JB paste an lots of elbow grease.

[PBSmith]

There have been a few 50-70 threads. All were interesting.

Here are some links,

https://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?28334-50-70-Government

https://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?130862-50-70

https://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?122893-50-70

https://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?97965-50-70-Springfield

https://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?73193-50-70-Gov-t

https://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?239954-The-Fabulous-50-70-Cartidge

https://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?306504-Shooting-a-1866-Trapdoor-Springfield

https://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?304454-50-70-trapdoor-question

https://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?302750-50-70-questions

https://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?297757-50-70-Gov-t

https://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?290059-Springfield-Trapdoor-50-70

https://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?296963-2nd-allin-conversion

Kevin

Thanks Kevin. I'll get on those links.

[PBSmith]

Your inbox is full and won't accept messages.

Tim

Thanks Tim. Cleaned out the inbox. Look forward to your message,

[PBSmith]

If it's a Remington it will have the name on the tang. If fifty caliber it's likely a 12.17 x 44mmR or 42mmR. Be sure to check out how much lead is in the barrel. These bores have deep grooves. JB paste an lots of elbow grease.

Made measurements at breech, slugged the bore. From looking at specs in Cartridges of the World, I don't see how this rifle can be anything other than 50-70. Remington stamp is plain and clear.

Dropped in an old REM-UMC factory .50-70 round - fits. Stuck an empty .50-90 case in the chamber, right amount of casing sticking out of breech.

I believe I read that a good number of these rifles in .50-70 were issued to state militias.

[PBSmith]

Does anyone shoot the old SR4759 load in these RB's? If so, how much with a 400-grain bullet? If I can get my hands on FFg, I will try the FFg duplexed with a small charge of SR4759. Decades ago I had good luck with that combination of powders in .45-70 trapdoors.

In the meantime, I'm wondering about a straight 4759 charge.

[needmore]

I. have 2 NYS my favorite shooters.

[Cabinfever35]

I will soon to be a 50-70 shooter. Ordered a Shiloh 1874 carbine last January of 2022. The carbines are starting come in according to Bill Goodman who I ordered through. Called last week he got a few in but mine was not one. Any time now. I pick up 100 Starline cases from Midway last year should have bought more because I haven’t seen any more they have been back ordered. RCBS has dies also. I got mine for $38. I have cast 200 Lee 450gr nice looking bullet hope it will be accurate in the carbine. I will only load bp for it.

[Rockindaddy]

I have been shooting a 325gr Rapine 50 cal bullet in my Springfield Model 1870 Trapdoor with 25 grs of IMR 4759 Shoots clover leafs at 50 yards. I size em to .518 That is the groove dia of my rifle. This same load shoots great in my 50-70 Sharps 1868 conversion and 1874 Sporting rifle. The Lyman 515 450gr bullet shoots quite well but the recoil is a little stiffer. Frank Barnes wrote the book Cartridges of the World. He claims IMR 4759 is one of the best black powder substitutes. His book shows a lot of loadings for IMR4759 for many old obsolete black powder cartridges.

[Jedman]

I have several 50-70 rifles and shoot nothing but smokeless in them. I do use the IMR 4759 and 5744 mostly but also IMR 4227, 4198 and when I had some Unique also.
I shoot mostly the Lee 450 gr. But have used 500 gr. all shoot very good.
One of my rifles has a .515 groove and the others have .512.

Sorry I reilized after I posted that this is a black powder cartridge forum .

Jedman

[RonnieMilsurp]

Just picked up a model 1870 Springfield trapdoor to plink with but also use for the local straight-walled cartridge deer season. What bullets are people liking for deer? The Lee mold seems less than ideal (smaller flat on the nose) while the Lyman 515142 seems better. Any experience out there?

[SteveOKo922]

The Lee is best at .515. Lyman is like .512. Lee shoots great in my 1866 &1870. 70g 2f, LRP, no crimp.

[StrawHat]

Just picked up a model 1870 Springfield trapdoor to plink with but also use for the local straight-walled cartridge deer season. What bullets are people liking for deer? The Lee mold seems less than ideal (smaller flat on the nose) while the Lyman 515142 seems better. Any experience out there?

I prefer fatter bullets with flatter points but a 1/2 hole is still a 1/2 hole!

Kevin

[RonnieMilsurp]

The Lee is best at .515. Lyman is like .512. Lee shoots great in my 1866 &1870. 70g 2f, LRP, no crimp.

And you're using the Lee on deer? 1:30 alloy?



I prefer fatter bullets with flatter points but a 1/2 hole is still a 1/2 hole!

Kevin

Ha, point taken. Though I would like more energy dump versus just a straight up through and through.

[StrawHat]

Ha, point taken. Though I would like more energy dump versus just a straight up through and through.

Aim for the offside shoulder. They drop fast and very little meat is lost.

Kevin

[SteveOKo922]

20:1 alloy for all my trapdoors 66 through 88. All my cartridges are standardized after the government Arsenal loads.

[Rockindaddy]

Have an original 1874 Sharps 50-70, and 1863 Sharps 50-70 conversion carbine and an 1870 Springfield 50-70 Trapdoor. They all shoot well with 4759. I like this propellant so much I have stocked up about 40 lbs of it.

Springfield 1870 Trapdoor 50-70 * 27 grs. 4759 Rapine 520300 300gr. sized to .518 shoots cloverleafs @ 50 yds
* 33 grs Win680 Lee 515450F sized .515 shoots 1 1/2" @ 50 yds
Sharps 1863 50-70 conversion * 33 grs Win 680 w/kapok filler Rapine 520300 300gr sized .515 1 1/2" @50yds
Sharps 1874 50-70 No.2 Sporter * 51 grs Reloader No7 Lyman 515141 2" @50yds. (stiff hunting load)

Have been casting some Lyman 515139 boolits they are dropping at 340grs. loading with 4759. They are a little easier on the shoulder than the 450 gr Lee and Lyman's. Will try them in all three rifles. Good luck PB with your loads you whip up.

[Rockindaddy]

StrawHat: I like 1/2" boolits too! Funny thing even though I shoot soft cast boolits; I never recover the spent projectile. Sometimes I break both shoulders and still never find my cast boolit. 1/2" entry hole and a bigger exit hole too! Deer usually don't go too far with a 50-70. Imagine how much 50-70 Govt ammo was sold off as the new 45-70 Govt 1873's came out. The bison hunter must have stocked up. The old timers always remarked that many a buffalo were taken with the 50-70 !

[RonnieMilsurp]

Thanks, all.

[Dutchman]

<snipped for brevity>Imagine how much 50-70 Govt ammo was sold off as the new 45-70 Govt 1873's came out. The bison hunter must have stocked up. The old timers always remarked that many a buffalo were taken with the 50-70 !

Great book about the buffalo hunters. He tells about getting .50 Gov't ammo at army forts but salvaging the powder and lead. You can read this little book in a few hours and its a very enjoyable read.

https://www.amazon.com/Buffalo-Harvest-Frank-H-Mayer/dp/B0006AVCN8/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1DUPTUIAFP7E&keywords=the+buffalo+harvest&qid=1689606654&sprefix=the+buffalo+harvest%2Caps%2C214&sr=8-1

[StrawHat]

StrawHat: I like 1/2" boolits too! Funny thing even though I shoot soft cast boolits; I never recover the spent projectile. Sometimes I break both shoulders and still never find my cast boolit. 1/2" entry hole and a bigger exit hole too! Deer usually don't go too far with a 50-70. Imagine how much 50-70 Govt ammo was sold off as the new 45-70 Govt 1873's came out. The bison hunter must have stocked up. The old timers always remarked that many a buffalo were taken with the 50-70 !


Some guy made a name for himself shooting buffalo with a Model 1866 Trapdoor 50-70.

Cody something or another. !

Kevin

[Abert Rim]

Here's a smorgäsbord of .50s: From left, 325-grain flatpoint, can't recall whose mold, and loaded in a .56-50 case for use in the ArmiSport Spencer; the 450-grain Lee, loaded in a .50 Alaskan case shortened to 1.73 for 12,7X44 R Swedish rolling block, and the big 600-grain Volkswagen from Buffalo Arms, loaded for a rolling block with Green Mountain 1:24 twist barrel, .50-70. The latter load was not pleasant to shoot for more than a few rounds with a rifle with steel buttplate. I plan to order Accurate 51-350S to come close to duplicating the 12,7X44 issue round.
By the way, kudos to the Dutchman for all he has done to help us understand the Scandinavian rolling blocks!:drinks:

https://i.postimg.cc/LhvZmFKz/image-50445057-1.jpg (https://postimg.cc/LhvZmFKz)

[jrinne0430]

Same here, make my 12.77x44 from .50 Alaskan, chambers and extracts perfectly. Load both black powder and smokeless.

[cricco]

I shot a black bear with my Remington Rolling Block last year. That .50-70 dropped him in his tracks, Hit right front shoulder, and exited the left rear quarter. That was with a 500 grain cast and black powder load.

[MOA]

:mrgreen: That would certainly do the job.

https://i.postimg.cc/653r4b7C/20220207_160518(1).jpg (https://postimg.cc/ThzLZ9JP)

How can anyone not just love the 500 grain for getting the job done in one.

[muskeg13]

Has anyone used Hodgdon Triple 7 (FFG) in .50-70 loads. Any idea what the approximate pressure would be with 70 grains by volume and a Lyman 515141 (425 or 450gr)?

[45workhorse]

One of these days I will join the club!