Dakota Widowmaker's Spencer (56-50) Moulds

[Dakota Widowmaker]

Hi SSS,

This thread was brought back to page 1 as there seems to be interest in the availability of the best moulds for the Spencer 56-50.  And according to members of SSS, Dakota Widowmaker makes a great 56-50 mould; see the comments that follow. 

Two Flints

[Tuolumne Lawman]

GRAB ONE BOYS!  I got one and it is sweet!  Throws exactly 350 grains with hard alloy (about 1-15 or so with some linotype).

 I load 45 grains volume 777 FFG with a drop tube, and crimp over the front driving band.  Feeds slick!  I tried on the driving band and under it, but it tended to bobble and sticvk a bit.  The 45 grains is compressed, but no signs of excessive pressure (no flatning, not cratering, etc,)  Seems as accurate as the BAC .512/350.

I smear a little LEE alox around the groove area, let it dry, and then size it.  Very nice.

Thanks Pard!!!!!!

[Dakota Widowmaker]

$50 + $5S&H.

They start out as 500gr .515" Lee single cavity moulds.

I lathe turn them down to 350gr (or there abouts...depends on you alloy) and reseat the handles and such.

I even have some custom Lee bullet sizing dies for them as well. $25 each

Everything for $75 + $5S&H...

Here is a pic of the finished product.

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[Two Flints]

Hello SSS,

Thought I'd re-post this on page 1 because of the mould information that SSS members have found interesting.

Two Flints

[Crazeyiven]

These posts are a bit over a year old.  Does he still make these?

Thanks

David

[Two Flints]

Hi Crazeyivan,

I received an Email from Dakota Widowmaker and he has placed my name on his mould list for the next batch he will be making.  I guess you need to contact him if you are interested.

Two Flints

[Crazeyiven]

Two Flints-

Thanks for the information.

David

[Fox Creek Kid]

I'll say one thing, that D.W. bullet hits HARDDDDDDDDDD with that big square meplat!! I'll bet it puts down game right now!

[Dakota Widowmaker]

Hehe.... back after a long slumber.

My cut down Lee molds will in fact cause HUGE cavities in tree rats (aka  deer) to the point where it looks like they were hit by a VW.

I won't say who or where, but, the individual I know who took one of my bullets with him hunting in his Taylor's spencer downed a nice size doe this last fall.

I was shown pictures and I just about barfed at the damage it did. At 65 yards, that 350gr bullet with the LARGE meplat tore a 6" hole in its side and complete destroyed the shoulder of the deer.

An absolute, "one shot-one kill" kind of load with 45gr of GOEX Express FFg (compressed) somewhere in MN/WI land.

[Drydock]

BTT.  I think this is the best dang mold there is for the Armi-Sport 56-50.

[Drydock]

RIght dandy for those wanting a GAF loading for their .50-70 too!

[Dakota Widowmaker]

Yes, and they are available. I have more mold on order from Lee and will start cutting again (more) this coming week.

Sorry for the delay, folks.

[Texas John Critter]

I'm curious if someone has a picture of the bullet this mould throws?

[Hell-Er High Water]

TJC,

In the SSS ORI (Often Requested Information) Thread in this forum (second subject down) there are pictures of the bullet in item No. 9, The Perfect Bullet.

I think this will give you what you are looking for.

HHW

[Texas John Critter]

Thank you sir!

[Dakota Widowmaker]

I have 3 2-cavity molds ready to ship...

All cleaned up, machined, and sprayed with graphite release coating.

They drop near perfect 340-350 bullets...

I might have some more single cavity ones for sale here as well ... at a reduced price.

[Dakota Widowmaker]

I still have another couple of molds left from this batch.

I am going to place my order with either Midway or Lee direct. (depends on who gives me the best price)

I try and do 3 runs a season for the Spencer 56-50 molds.. this would likely be my last till right before deer season.

Let me know the interest level and I will get another batch done.
(still have to do the single cavity ones here this summer)

[Crazeyiven]

To those of you who already have this mould, what OAL are you using?

Thanks

David

[Drydock]

I use 1.550".  Spencers can be somewhat indivdualistic in their appitites, what mine likes might not work in yours.  But the DW with its wide nose flat seems to need to be between 1.53 up to 1.59 or so.  even at this length the DW still leaves enough room in the case for a Mispec powder charge if desired.

[Dakota Widowmaker]

I am loading mine to a 1.610" OAL and not having ANY feeding problems in my armi sport Spencer carbine 56-50.

I strongly suggest folks using either my molds or other cut down lee molds (from the 500gr blocks, anyhow) use at least a 1.590" length to start with.

The action on the Spencer carbines LIKES a longer OAL with a long nose and wide flat nose.

I choose the 500gr design after talking to other folks and doing some measuring of the 56-50 mag tube.

Although there are some good mold designs out there, I can't help but come back to the modified Lee design.

I have had reports back from folks in Norway, Spain, and Italy who all swear by this design and find it very accurate out to 150yrds with no bullet tumble use everything from crappy "skirmish" powder to 777 50gr 50cal pellets. (I do NOT recommend 777 50gr 50cal pellets, for those that are wondering)