Howdy,
When I had the Taylor's .45 schofield Spencer for the CC article, it shot very well, but not as well as the two originals (one I had, and one I now have) I have shot. My current original is a .56-56 1860 model that I got from Larry Zeug, the firearms historian you see on History Channel and Wild West Tech. It is awesome, and has a nearly perfect bore. It is bright, with no frostyness. IT has a nice shiney, smooth brown patina, no rust or pitting, and a hint of the color case hardening on the reciever still under the patina.
Using the S&S breech block, and my Rapine .535 375 Grain bullet over 37 -38.5 grns (volume) of Hodgdon's Triple 7 BP replacement, WMR primers, and Buffalo Arms brass, I have shot a one hole cloverleaf from a rest at 25 yards. Judge Hemp and I were banging the 275 yard Buffalo gong at Ione with the Spencer on buffalo sticks.
As Judge Hemp said "I'd hate to be a man on horse back at 275 yards and have someone shooting at me with this Spencer. Either I or the horse would be hit!" That's why I plan to replace the front sight and use it for deer hunting. The front sight was filed down and it hits 12-15" high at 25 yards! If I can set the sights right, I will use battle sight down for 100 yards, and first notch up on the ladder for 200. That 375 grain flat nose pill would be quite a buck thumper. Besides, carrying it on horseback, riding in my McClellan Saddle, while hunting would have a certain panache'!