Spencer reline

**Dave Fox** · 03-05-2011

I have a 56-56 Spencer which I've purchased to shoot informally. It's been refinished and otherwise makes a good candidate for playing with. Accuracy is awful. Peter Schiffers in his carbine book opines it's the fault of the rifling twist. I'm contemplating asking Hoyt if he presses liners in Spencers. My question is: does anyone out there have experience with a lined 56-56 Spencer? I'm aware it might well be more practical to line and chamber for 56-50, but I wish to keep the original calibre. Thanks.

**Eggman** · 03-05-2011

I had my Spencer relined by Hoyt probably ten years ago now. As I recall he offered me the option of either caliber - .50 or .56. I chose the .50 because it was legal in the N-SSA and it would save me some lead. My carbine was a real beater so historical authenticity was not an issue. The .50 reline is a prince - a nail driver accurate throughout many rounds without cleaning. It has been my favorite gun for many years but is getting some competition from my Maynard lately..

**norman horne, 12321** · 03-06-2011

Hey Eggman. I sure hope you're gonna be at the Donnybrook in a couple weeks. Please bring this "celebrated" Maynard you keep talking about; I'm anxious to see how it does going up against my Sharps!! Your pal and teammate, Norm.

**Dave Fox** · 03-06-2011

My thanks, Eggman. I'll post an inquiry to Hoyt today. It occurs to me to ask: does anybody out there shoot a 56-56 M.1860 Spencer carbine and gets passable accuracy from it?

**Joe Plakis, 9575V** · 03-06-2011

I am in the same boat, I have a 56-56 Spencer, although my bore is actually pretty damn good. I really want to go with the 56-50 caliber cause cases are more available and so are bullet molds. I was going to go the route of just seeing what it would cost to have Hoyt make a new barrel and just swap the two out.

**R. McAuley 3014V** · 03-06-2011

Dave,

As we've spoken before, you might simply rebarrel your Spencer rather than relining it, especially if you should elect to go to .56/50. Then you'll have a new barrel to shoot and still have the original barrel in its original configuration. Of course, I've been giving more thought lately to investigating the reloading of .56/52 in light of Gen. Dyer's March 1865 memo concerning use of .56/52 in the .56/56 carbine.

**Dave Fox** · 03-06-2011

Anybody out there have a Rapine Spencer mould #546375 you'd be willing to part with?

**Southron Sr.** · 05-01-2011

Richard:

What did General Dyer's Memo say?

Would his recommendation be legal for N-SSA competition?

I became leery about N-SSA rules when I found out that about 10% (?) of the rifle musket ammo issued to troops in the Civil War would be ILLEGAL to use at a Skirmish!

**Terry Schultz, 10057** · 06-11-2011

Dave
I have a Rapine 535370 if you are interested. Sold
Terry

**R. McAuley 3014V** · 06-14-2011

Originally Posted by Southron, Sr.,

Richard:

What did General Dyer's Memo say?

Would his recommendation be legal for N-SSA competition?

I became leery about N-SSA rules when I found out that about 10% (?) of the rifle musket ammo issued to troops in the Civil War would be ILLEGAL to use at a Skirmish!

See comment by John Gross on page 2 concerning interchangeable use of .56-50 and .56-52 Spencer cartridges in the .56-56 Spencer rifle and carbine though not the reverse.

viewtopic.php?f=4&t=14570&p=57288&hilit=Dyer#p5728 8

Would his recommendation be legal for N-SSA competition?

Sure, no less legal as those oversized .581 caliber rounds you bought from Dixie Gun Works and had to beat though a .575 sizer at the first N.B. Forrest Skirmish at Union City (1977).