56-50 reloading crimping

[Deadeye Don]

I have an Armi Sport Spencer in 56-50.  I have all the reloading done except crimping. I have the Lyman 3 die set but want to taper crimp.  Does anyone know if Lyman or anyone else makes a die that will taper crimp?  The cartridges fit nicely in the chamber if I load one at a time but won’t feed correctly if I use the stock loading magazine. The bullets are firmly seated with no play at all so I am not concerned about movement forward or backwards. Thanks.

[Coal Creek Griff]

I don't know if this is a factor, but I do know that my Lyman 56-50 dies did not size the brass enough.  In my case, the bullets would crimp into place, but could still be twisted/twirled in the cases.  You say that yours are tight, but I wonder if the sizing is an issue.

On the other hand, overall length and bullet shape (or hardness) seem to be more of a factor in proper feeding from the magazines.  Have you had other loads successfully feed?

You may be well ahead of all of this.  If I'm not speaking to the point, please disregard my feeble attempts to assist.

CC Griff

[Deadeye Don]

I am using the Buffalo arms 350 gr bullet.

https://www.buffaloarms.com/512-350-grain-fn-quality-hand-cast-lead-bullets-20-1-spg-lubed-box-of-50-512350

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[Drydock]

You WILL have to experiment with OAL to get good feeding, this is critical with the Spencer action.  This may be your only problem. Most folks start off loading these rounds too short it seems.  The Repro likes a longer OAL than the published spec for the original.  This is most likely due to bullet design, the originals were far more pointed than what we use now.

However, the Lyman dies are repurposed .50-70 dies, and most often work badly if at all with the Reproduction Spencer and Starline brass.  They are really meant for original Spencers and cut down 50-70 brass.

Get the RCBS dies.  Good discussion here:  www.cascity.com/forumhall/index.php/topic,58510.0.html

[Deadeye Don]

Thanks for the replies. Lucky I bought the Lyman Dies through Amazon. Easy to return. I will get the RCBS dies. I read the other thread. Frustrating that Lyman continues to sell these.

[Coal Creek Griff]

My RCBS dies have served me well.  I still have my Lyman dies and I can't sell them in good conscience.  Maybe I'll find a use for them someday.

As far as crimping, I use a different bullet, but I roll a crimp into the crimp groove (just enough to hold it) and my loads cycle very well.

CC Griff

[Black River Smith]

As just another 56-50 owner, I experienced the same as others stated here.

Bought my Spencer back in '05 or '06.  Bought the Starline brass and Lyman dies at that time.  My first loading went great and shot practice round and even a match.  When I went to reload with everything being the same, as original first loading, the bullets either slide in the case easily and/or did not crimp tight.  They just spun in the casing.  I took those apart.

So, I did as others stated back then and took a little off the Lyman crimp die.  That had no effect on improving the crimp.  So I stopped all reloading.  Therefore, I have never reloaded the rounds fired back from 06 and never fired the remaining loaded.  The loading issues keep me for firing the rifle I wanted since I was 15 years old.  Stupid but true.  After having spent more than enough money to get started I just could not convince my wife or myself to spent another $70 to $80 they wanted for RCBS back then.

Well just this year (August) I came across a 'one time' deal on Amazon for the RCBS Legacy 20104 Spencer dies.  Well just the little experimenting I have done indicates that loading will end up Better.  I can now reload and shoot that Spencer without concerns about using up my only working loads.

PS -- All blackpowder only.

[Deadeye Don]

I received my RCBS dies today and successfully crimped the bullets. They now feed from the magazine fine. Thanks guys.  I will put a review on the Lyman dies on Amazon so people will be less likely to buy them.

[Coal Creek Griff]

Excellent.  It's good to hear of a problem solved.

CC Griff