50-70 Custom - A Lesson Learned...

[Encore64]

Kind of a drawn out story, but here goes...

About 10 years ago, I bought a Custom Rolling Block Rifle in 50-70. The gun is built on one of the new Remington actions. Serial number is in the low 200s. So the gun is all modern steel and very strong.

Someone went to a lot of trouble. I assume a rebore since the barrel is properly marked "Remington" and such. It has some really fancy sights with the level indicator for long range shooting.

I picked the gun up for about 1/3 of what I'd appraise it's value. But, then learned why

No ammo would chamber. I mean none... I bought dies and loaded my own to the same results.

Then this week I found a set of Hornady Dies in 50-70 cheap, so grabbed them up.

Loading some ammo for my SSK Encore with them made me think. Opened the safe and took out the Rolling Block. All I heard was "Thunk" as the round chambered.

Can tell you this caused some mixed emotions. The rifle shot great with all ammo tried. This is the third dies I've tried.

Lessons learned is don't pass up a bargain and never stop learning.

[awp101]

Glad to hear you found a solution! Are there different 50-70 chambers? Any idea what makes the Hornady Dies different from the other 2 brands?

[Encore64]

Apparently... Early bullets were .515" and since standardized to .510".

This rifle is bore .510" and chambered tight. So, guess it was just finding the right combination.

[bigbrowndog]

I know when reading Cart. Of the World, when you get into rounds of the old timers there were many subtle variations and even some names were misleading (incorrect) at least as we read them today. Some of the wisdom of old never got transferred or carried up thru the years, Ex. The 400 Whelen needing to be made from 30-06 basic brass not 30-06, the 404 Jeff. Having two different chambers??? Etc.

As I recall many BP rounds were same basic name but different maker, Sharps, Winchester, Remington and sometimes the maker would add their own proprietary change to the round and thus create a truly unique round but allow the public to think no change occurred.

Glad you fingered it out........Trapr

[squawberryman]

A picture of that would be nice.

[ericp]

I have an original 50-70 sharps carbine, had the opposite problem of you. First set of dies I got were set up for .510" bullets whereas I now shoot .516". My case life was terrible as I was way overworking the brass. An old set of Lyman dies fixed the issue. The 50-70 is one of my favorite cartridges, and your rolling block sounds very cool.

Eric

[magnumwheelman]

I have an older sloppy Martini rifle built from an action found in a cache of guns found in a river outside Northfield MN... it was suggested by the guns found, it could have either been stashed, or fell off a wagon, around the time the James gang tried to rob that bank ( at least an interesting fantsy ) my buddy ended up with the rifle, and replaced all the small parts, the barrel, and wood... It's a little loose, but safe for the pressures of the 50-70...I like my martinis, and my 50-70 is no exception... Even though this one has more "pantina" than my others it shoots well, and is a blast to shoot... Like my rollings blocks just as much... Enjoy that rifle

[de1216]

I have an old NY Contract Rolling Block 50-70. Anyone have experience with these particular models that could share their success/failure with feeding them?

I have found a source for modern manufactured BP loads for 50-70..... wonder exactly what this thing wants to be fed? I'd shoot it very rarely, I got it simply for the historical interest.


D.

[Encore64]

First off I would recommend Lyman dies and larger bullets in the .514-.515".

Powders such 4759 or 5744 and you will be in business.

[ward01]

It may be that the person that reworked the rifle to 50-70 intended it to be used with paper patched bullets.
There are different ways to load and shoot paper patch. One method calls for a tighter chamber so the brass requires no resizing after shooting. Just shoot, clean and reload.....pretty much how the shooters of the 1870's managed their rifles on the prairies without any serious reloading tools. In any case it's good you have found some dies that will allow you to enjoy this fun caliber.

I shoot a 50-70 Lone Star rolling block with both paper patched as well as grease groove lead bullets. But I use real black powder with them.... try it! It's a lot of fun and not really as much mess as you might think.