Black Powder in Spencer Carbine 44-40

[Vossie]

Edited, as my IT skills did its usual good


Hi my question is as I would like to shoot some black powder loads in the Spencer. Can I use the usual smokeless bullets,or are these to hard (GM bullets) or I cast pure lead, or can I replace the lube for a black powder lube.
I have yet to chamber cast this rifle, it is the Chiappa and not an original. and dont want to cast for another if I can help it, as about to embark on Martini Henry casting.

Cheers

[Musclebob]

I can’t saw for sure about the Spencer, but if it’s anything like the Trapdoor, the hard lead bullets will cause more leading than soft cast. Also, the lube on the commercial cast bullets can combine with the BP to cause some really nasty fouling.

IMHO, your best bet is to cast your own from soft lead. Use a BP lube - make your own (I use a mix of unsalted vegetable lard and beeswax with a bit of olive oil to pan lube), or SPG is a very good, if not expensive option)

[dromia]

When it comes to cast bullets hard is the last thing you want except some very extreme and specific cases.

Commercial cast bullets are hard for the manufacturers benefit only, harder alloys run better through the machines with better castability so less rejects also hard cast bullets travel better, soft bullets can get deformed in transit and need better packaging.

The only way to get a decent cast bullet is to make them yourself.

Petroleum based lubes are to be avoided with black powder as some can cause hard baking of the fouling making removal obstinate.

[Vossie]

Excellent thank you for the advice, I do enjoy casting so it is not a problem.
I searched around and could not find this specific advice, so it is appreciated.

More time castings is time well spent.

Cheers

[Vossie]

Would you add any tin to the mix, I use 10 parts lead to 1 part tin for my MH.
But pure lead for ML rifle and revolver.

[FredB]

Much too much for a MH. 25:1 is plenty.
Pure lead for Snider.
Fred

[Vossie]

Cheers Fred

[mikygpu]

I was wondering the same, except I have the ammo and not the rifle.
So is it black powder, nitro or smokeless?
Also I have 30-30 and some other undercover carbine ammo and I wasn't wondering the same.
Which rifle? How can you tell?

[Sfwh]

Would you add any tin to the mix, I use 10 parts lead to 1 part tin for my MH.
But pure lead for ML rifle and revolver.

Historically the MH bullet was 12 parts lead to 1 part tin so I imagine that'll be the ratio that gets you the best results.

[dromia]

Not necessarily, the miltary rounds have excessive tin added to toughen up the bullets for transport and field carry.

'Twas a trade of 'tween accuracy and logistical efficacy.

As civilian shooters we are not burdened by the exigencies of the miltary and comprimises so can develop accuracy loads frre of the miltary requirements. One of the many reasons why I use cast almost exclusively as it gives my better accurcay results in almost all situations than condom bullets that were developed for thier robustness in transpost, fieldd carry and going through automatic firearms.

My Martini Henry gives it best results with almost pure lead, just a smidgeon of tin to help fill out, both in paper patched and grease groove bullets.