50/70 Sharps Conversion Carbine

The Goose

NES Member
Joined
Apr 30, 2005
Messages
2,489
Likes
1,224
Location
Burliington, MA
Feedback: 133 / 0 / 0
I just acquired a Sharps 1863 cavalry carbine. Originally it fired a .52 paper cartridge with a percussion cap for ignition. At the end of the Civil War thousands of these were converted to the new government 50/70 metallic cartridge and many were shipped out West for use in the Indian Wars. They pretty much remained in use until the introduction of the Springfield 45/70 trapdoor in 1873.

Now, I already load for a Springfield 1866 trapdoor 2nd Allin conversion in 50/70 so I have loading dies and plenty of components. However, the Springfield groove diameter is .517 and the Sharp's is about .511. Luckily I also cast for a 50/90 Sharp's buffalo rifle so I have a few molds and a .512 sizing die. So I cast up a bunch of 450 gr .515 using a very soft alloy (about 1:40), sized to .512 and lubed them with Sagebrush black powder lube. I full length sized the new Starline brass with a magnum large rifle primer. I was able to get 62 grs of Swiss 1.5 black powder into the case with an 18" drop tube and a compression die. I used a .030 Walters fiber wad. To seat the bullet I very slightly flared the case mouth, seated the bullet and then ran it up into the sizing die (sans decapping pin) and just kissed it to get just enough neck tension to firmly hold the bullet. Voila, a loaded round that will bring that old veteran of the Civil War and the Indian Wars back to life. Range report to follow soon.

IMG_4307AB.JPG

IMG_4309AB.JPG

IMG_20190502_075153142.jpg

IMG_20190502_075017584.jpg
 
Last edited:
Don't really have much experience with 50-70 or American rifles predating 1873, but I definitely always enjoy reading and seeing them. Looking forward to the report back!
 
Back
Top Bottom