Along with many other battles with indians, these .56-50 caliber Spencer carbine rifles proved their value to Major Frederick A. Forsyth, Frederick H. Beecher, and 49 soldiers and scouts. With 4000 rounds of ammunition, the Forsyth-led cavalry unit we're attacked by a combined force of about 1000 Northern Cheyenne, Oglala, and Brule Sioux, and Arapahoe warriors led by the Cheyenne warrior Roman Nose. Almost half of Forsyth's men were killed or injured, including Beecher, and all of their horses. The dead horses were used as a barrier by the soldiers to fight behind, firing their 7-shot Spencer repeaters and their 44 cal. Colt revolvers. Unable to withdraw with so many wounded and no horses, Forsyth dispatched two scouts to sneak through the indian encirclement and deliver an urgent plea for relief to Ft. Wallace, 100 miles away. The relief forces finally arrived seven days later, but by then, the indians were gone, leaving Forsyth and his desperately hungry scouts standing guard and trying to comfort their wounded surrounded by the stench of rotting horses and men, and swarms of black flies. While there could be some factual errors in this story of this battle on the Republican River, which today is called the Arikaree River, in far eastern Colorado, they don't diminish the central point that the rapid firepower of the seven-shot Spencer carbines allowed a small group of defenders in a rather poor defensive position to hold off a much larger group of fast-moving attackers.
Yeah, I think people today have no clue what an almost "mitacle" it was to have a repeater, and in this case, one that you had to cycle and cock the hammer separately on.
It’s super cool, you’re a really good shot, your cameraman is really good to, Thank you for elaborating on how the gun functions, I always love learning about the older weapons, I definitely want to get one of those one day
Can you believe my friend just films the shots on his Apple iPhone? Basically, everything is just one take as I go out and have fun. Then, we just string the clips together. The sun is normally so bright that it is hard to even see anything on the screen while we are out there, so I am very grateful for the effort my friend puts in even with some of the so-so capturings of shots. It is what it is, and we just try to be natural in the elements and have a good time shooting, hoping to get some good footage. It all is part of the experience. With that said, I do my best to be a little theatrical and make it all look easy, which it isn't in the slightest. Like I told Northern Woodsman, in the weeks leading up to a video, I spend a great deal of time at the bench, putting paper out at 50, 70, and 100 yards in order to learn the sight pictures. In addition, I shoot at dingers at 80, 150, and 200 yards. I do this all to learn the bullet curve, especially with a rifle that shoots what I call "anemic" cartridges. I can appreciate most things guns, but black powder has a special place in my heart with all of the projectile and cartridge making we do. Also, the craftsmanship of 19th century arms is unmatched in my opinion; they are such handsome pieces! Original black powder guns have personalities you need to master in order to be effective with them. Nevertheless, although I don't have much experience with modern guns, anytime someone admires my old gun and wants to learn about it, I do take the guy up on the offer to shoot his modern "assault" rifle and get a sense of what it is. I have never shot a modern .50-110 and think that some of the stuff you shoot would rock me! Nevertheless, I'd be smiling the whole time. Probably, it would take me some practice to become really "target" effective with some of the cartridges and rifles you shoot. There is a guy in our group who has "too many" guns and may want to sell some. He has a .50-90 Sharps that apparently Hank Williams' son owned, so I really want to save my money to buy that. I have shot it with his 500-grain projectiles, and that piece is no joke for my 150-pound body frame. I don't know how good I could be with it off-hand, but I want to try!
With my Blakeslee box, I added a block under the wood block, which raised the tubes enough to be able to hold onto, but still close the top. I always enjoy your videos.
Thanks for the idea. I was thinking of shortening the wooden block or adding a shim (even dimes or something) to the bottom of each tube to raise them up a bit. On the other hand, it isn't a priority at the moment since I normally just practice with this piece as a single-shot rifle. Today was really the first time shooting it as a repeater. I had some trouble, and there certainly is a technique involved with cycling Spencers, so I should have practiced that part more before filming the trail walk.
I took another look at how I did mine. I actually put three-quarter inch sections of dowel down the bottom of each tube.then I glued a flat piece of wood across the bottom to hold it all together. There is still room to close the lid. it works really well.
I'm always very attentive everytime I see you upload a video. Its so awesome seeing these rifles being fired once again and it made me get into black powder cartridges for my Veterly and Trapdoor. On a side note I'd love to see a guide of you reloading sometime. I just started casting 405grn 45-70 heads myself and would like to pick up some good habits.
You are not the first to request a reloading video. I've been mulling them over! My reloading room is in flux right now. I had an entire room in my home designated for that, but much to my Mom's delight (and pressure), I have converted it to a guest room. Since, I've been turning a large wooden outdoor shed into my reloading room. I have finally got my potbelly stove going in there (It gets cold here where I live in CA) but have no electricity. I have had to use propane lights for the time. Also, I'm waiting to install another window in there. Let's see what I can get going in the next few months. Several have been interested in seeing how I load the ammunition for my various Civil War carbines as well.
Thank you. Yes! I do spend a great deal of time trying to reproduce the cartridge just right to get these originals shooting accurately. I've probably shot them more than they ever were in their original days!
Hello Little House Guy, Great shooting, and thank you for showing the Blakeslee Box in action. The carbine is super and iconic , but ....there is something commanding and reassuring about looking down those three barrel bands of the long rifle. Love the original guns. ....Doc
That's for sure! This Blakeslee box (replica) does have a significant design problem, that being that the tubes don't protrude from the wooden block that holds them. As a result, I could only load 6, not 7, cartridges so that I could pull the tube out with my inserted finger. Had the wooden block been made a bit shorter, I would have been able to load 7 cartridges in each tube and grab the protruding end of the tube itself. Well, it's all easily fixable but something to be looked at by the replica manufacturer in my opinion.
@@littlehouseguy7782 Hello again, Do you have any tricks on getting the Spencer carbine to feed properly ? I have an original carbine that is real finicky. I have tried all different overall lengths for the cartridges and different bullet profiles. So I have been loading it as a single shot. You may be interested in looking at my video on the Warner carbine as it is not to common. Happy shooting...... Doc
@@dr.durellshepard398 I have heard of the Warner carbine, so I will certainly check out your video! In regard to Spencers jamming, I've heard that they are notorious for it, and it still happens periodically with me. In general, I make sure the muzzle is pointed up when I cycle the lever forward (as the rifle just has an extractor, not an ejector, so gravity is needed) and the make sure the muzzle is pointed down not quite perpendicularly to the ground in order to use gravity again to help it cycle. When I've had a jam and have had to take the jamming cartridge with projectile out, I've noticed deep grooves in the soft lead of the projectile head. My hypothesis is that the original longer cone shape of the original cartridges allowed for easier loading as compared to the broader projectiles that are common with reloading.
@@littlehouseguy7782 Thank you for writing back. Come to think of it, I did install the center fire breech block so my bullets are flat nose instead of pointy for rim fire, like you say. I'll try you technique ......Doc
Great video as always and good shooting too. I especially liked the short explanation at the end about the guns and how they work. Would love to see that in future videos. Thanks for sharing.
I have always detested the timbre of my voice and have shied away from talking. Nevertheless, I'll consider adding more little tutorials at the end of my future videos. I still do have pieces I've yet to debut!
@@littlehouseguy7782 Well I don't even have the camera or anyone to film me. Lol. But I like your simple videos without the big Hollywood intros and death metal music some posters seem to think everyone wants to hear. So don't change a thing.
@@ttiroff Thank you for that, Mr. T! I like to keep the videos focused around loading, shooting, and hitting targets with these rifles; that's what most want to see. I don't need to make any review videos. There are plenty already out there.
I made a Blakesly Box. They are an infernal, awkward nuisance and I'm not surprised soldiers would "accidentally" lose them! Very cool to have period correct leather accessories though.
I can see that. You know, I could only put six cartridges in the tubes, not seven, because with seven, I couldn't stick my finger in the tube enough to pull it out. The wooden block should be shorter so that I would be able to pinch the end of the tube and pull it out that way. I may do that in the future. Interestingly, this is the only time I have shot this piece as a repeater. In practice, I just reload the same case over and over again and just breech load it.
Thank you very much! I enjoy shooting these historical pieces immensely! I guess you could say that the carbine version of the Spencer is the most famous. However, I do understand that the cavalry also used full-length rifles as well.
Thanks, Jeff. We certainly did miss you and your gang! The next walkthrough will be at the end of November. Don't forget that the Springfield Trapdoor match is the second Sunday of September- 200 yards at the bench!
Thanks! I am glad to have been able to film another trail walk. We only have those on a fifth Sunday of a month if the month has one. The next and last one of 2020 will be the last Sunday in November. I still don't know what piece I will film with for that one.
Thank you....and I had the audacity to complain about the heat that day. The following week was murderously hot at 119 F. What a rough day shooting that was!
Eric, I have been discussing flaws in the Chiappa Reproduction Spencers with another TH-camr. Since you have originals, I would be interested in knowing how the Saddle Ring bar is attached internally on your carbine? Chiappa uses weak spot welds that brake off when used with a sling on horseback. I was wondering if your originals were peened in place internally or by another method that would make them heavy duty so as not to break ? I remain your obediant Servant.
Great video! I have Spencer New Model rifle too. The original cartridge don't want to enter in the chamber. The 56-50 made for the reproductions of Spencer have smaller diameter than the original 56-50 and enter perfect in the chamber. After reading books and on the internet I found that All Spencer New Model are chambered in 56-52 Spencer. My rifle is in unused condition with 100% colour case hardening preserved. If you have a original 56-50 cartridge would you try it did it fits in your rifle?
I do have an original, and it does fit. Read the description paragraph that I wrote below the video because I talk about the differences in cases between reproduction Spencers and originals. Buffalo Arms sells cases for originals in .56-.50, and those are what I use in this. Those cases take a .520-inch diameter slug, which Buffalo Arms also sells the mold to.
I am not an expert on it and will need to get back to you. In general and to my understanding, the model 1860 was in .56-.56, and the model 1865 was in .56-.50. You will need to slug your bore. There are a variety of bore sizes, but in general again, .56-.56 took at .539 inch projectile, and the .56-.50 took a .520 inch projectile.
You give me too much credit, Northern Woodsman! I spend several weeks at the bench getting ready for a trail walk. I do this especially with rifles that shoot "anemic" cartridges so that I can really learn the drop curve. I traditionally put paper out at 50, 70, and 100 yards in order to learn the sight pictures. In addition, I shoot at dingers at 80, 150, and 200 yards. Then, of course, shooting off-hand is a different skill, and most of the time, my shots will go higher (until I am fatigued and start dropping the rifle), for, as you know, black powder is slower burning, so many times the recoil will actually start affecting you when shooting off-hand before the projectile leaves a long barrel, usually making the rifle slant up with recoil. Also, in all honestly, pretty much every video I have filmed has been a trail walk on this course, so I am used to shooting this course and dingers. I don't think I could hit with such consistency on a new course at dingers and distances I haven't thoroughly practiced before. Thank you for your praise; I am comfortable telling people that I am good enough to be dangerous.
Yeah! The bore is pretty good although it isn't perfect; it is a little bit pitted but has deep, sharp rifling. My Spencer carbine, however, has a bore like a mirror and appears to have never seen any serious use.
@@americangangster1911 Thanks. I am good enough to be dangerous. I'll hit that plate more times than the guy next to me with a loud semiautomatic AR who goes through 100 rounds in 5 minutes!
These Rifles are Amazingly Accurate and You are a Crack Shot I Couldn’t Imagine Getting Hit With a 56 Cal Slug Especially Back in The Civil War Era That Would Almost Be Certain Death 🤕 Thank You For Another Great Historical Shoot 😀👍🏼
I don't know too much about ballistics, but I think what the big black powder slugs had was punching power, not necessarily the piercing power of high velocity, small caliber slugs. The shockwave of getting hit with one of these would cause major organ damage even in an area not directly hit. I do my best to get these originals shooting to their capability. Who knows....they might shoot better now since I cast slugs that are the diameter size the gun likes. In regard to being a crack shot, I appreciate it but must acknowledge that I am only good enough to be dangerous. Others in my club, Burbank Muzzleloaders, can shoot circles around me!
No Sir! Those are metal plates of all different colors, metals, and designs. The targets don't represent or allude to any of Americas various racial or ethnic groups.
So sorry. I haven't been filming as of late. Teaching grades 6 through 8, all subjects, all in one room, has consumed my time! Also, I don't see quite as well as I did before, so it may all be coming to a close for me, unfortunately.
Imagine getting hit by these .57 cal monsters, and these were responsible for comminuted fractures that had all their victims' destroyed limbs amputated during the Civil War.
Along with many other
battles with indians, these .56-50 caliber Spencer carbine rifles
proved their value to Major Frederick A. Forsyth, Frederick H. Beecher, and 49 soldiers and scouts.
With 4000 rounds of ammunition, the Forsyth-led cavalry unit
we're attacked by a combined force of about 1000 Northern Cheyenne, Oglala, and Brule Sioux, and Arapahoe warriors led by the Cheyenne warrior Roman Nose.
Almost half of Forsyth's men were killed or injured, including Beecher, and all of their horses. The dead horses were used as a barrier by the soldiers to fight behind, firing their 7-shot Spencer repeaters and their 44 cal. Colt revolvers.
Unable to withdraw with so many wounded and no horses, Forsyth dispatched two scouts to sneak through the indian encirclement and deliver an urgent plea for relief to Ft. Wallace, 100 miles away.
The relief forces finally arrived seven days later, but by then, the indians were gone, leaving Forsyth and his desperately hungry scouts standing guard and trying to comfort their wounded surrounded by the stench of rotting horses and men, and swarms of black flies.
While there could be some factual errors in this story of this battle
on the Republican River, which today is called the Arikaree River, in far eastern Colorado, they don't diminish the central point that the rapid firepower of the seven-shot Spencer carbines allowed a small group of defenders in a rather poor defensive position to hold off a much larger group of
fast-moving attackers.
Yeah, I think people today have no clue what an almost "mitacle" it was to have a repeater, and in this case, one that you had to cycle and cock the hammer separately on.
It’s super cool, you’re a really good shot, your cameraman is really good to, Thank you for elaborating on how the gun functions, I always love learning about the older weapons, I definitely want to get one of those one day
Can you believe my friend just films the shots on his Apple iPhone? Basically, everything is just one take as I go out and have fun. Then, we just string the clips together. The sun is normally so bright that it is hard to even see anything on the screen while we are out there, so I am very grateful for the effort my friend puts in even with some of the so-so capturings of shots. It is what it is, and we just try to be natural in the elements and have a good time shooting, hoping to get some good footage. It all is part of the experience. With that said, I do my best to be a little theatrical and make it all look easy, which it isn't in the slightest. Like I told Northern Woodsman, in the weeks leading up to a video, I spend a great deal of time at the bench, putting paper out at 50, 70, and 100 yards in order to learn the sight pictures. In addition, I shoot at dingers at 80, 150, and 200 yards. I do this all to learn the bullet curve, especially with a rifle that shoots what I call "anemic" cartridges. I can appreciate most things guns, but black powder has a special place in my heart with all of the projectile and cartridge making we do. Also, the craftsmanship of 19th century arms is unmatched in my opinion; they are such handsome pieces! Original black powder guns have personalities you need to master in order to be effective with them. Nevertheless, although I don't have much experience with modern guns, anytime someone admires my old gun and wants to learn about it, I do take the guy up on the offer to shoot his modern "assault" rifle and get a sense of what it is. I have never shot a modern .50-110 and think that some of the stuff you shoot would rock me! Nevertheless, I'd be smiling the whole time. Probably, it would take me some practice to become really "target" effective with some of the cartridges and rifles you shoot. There is a guy in our group who has "too many" guns and may want to sell some. He has a .50-90 Sharps that apparently Hank Williams' son owned, so I really want to save my money to buy that. I have shot it with his 500-grain projectiles, and that piece is no joke for my 150-pound body frame. I don't know how good I could be with it off-hand, but I want to try!
I hope you do more videos these are very cool
Thanks! I have not posted in over a year but may film another trail-walk this weekend. Stay tuned!
As always cool calm and collected 😎😎
I guess I can start to get there after a month or two of practice on paper at 50, 70, and 100 yards in anticipation for a trail-walk match.
With my Blakeslee box, I added a block under the wood block, which raised the tubes enough to be able to hold onto, but still close the top.
I always enjoy your videos.
Thanks for the idea. I was thinking of shortening the wooden block or adding a shim (even dimes or something) to the bottom of each tube to raise them up a bit. On the other hand, it isn't a priority at the moment since I normally just practice with this piece as a single-shot rifle. Today was really the first time shooting it as a repeater. I had some trouble, and there certainly is a technique involved with cycling Spencers, so I should have practiced that part more before filming the trail walk.
I took another look at how I did mine. I actually put three-quarter inch sections of dowel down the bottom of each tube.then I glued a flat piece of wood across the bottom to hold it all together. There is still room to close the lid. it works really well.
@@griff6985 That makes sense!
I'm always very attentive everytime I see you upload a video. Its so awesome seeing these rifles being fired once again and it made me get into black powder cartridges for my Veterly and Trapdoor.
On a side note I'd love to see a guide of you reloading sometime. I just started casting 405grn 45-70 heads myself and would like to pick up some good habits.
You are not the first to request a reloading video. I've been mulling them over! My reloading room is in flux right now. I had an entire room in my home designated for that, but much to my Mom's delight (and pressure), I have converted it to a guest room. Since, I've been turning a large wooden outdoor shed into my reloading room. I have finally got my potbelly stove going in there (It gets cold here where I live in CA) but have no electricity. I have had to use propane lights for the time. Also, I'm waiting to install another window in there. Let's see what I can get going in the next few months. Several have been interested in seeing how I load the ammunition for my various Civil War carbines as well.
Very interesting to see the old guns breathing new life on the range. Hope all is well and keep shooting. 👍🏽
Thank you. Yes! I do spend a great deal of time trying to reproduce the cartridge just right to get these originals shooting accurately. I've probably shot them more than they ever were in their original days!
Great Video! I might take the dive and try my hand at shooting a Spencer in 56-50! Thank you for making these great video's! Keep it up!!
Thank you very much. I certainly don't post as often as I used to. However, I was never prolific.
Hello Little House Guy, Great shooting, and thank you for showing the Blakeslee Box in action. The carbine is super and iconic , but ....there is something commanding and reassuring about looking down those three barrel bands of the long rifle. Love the original guns. ....Doc
That's for sure! This Blakeslee box (replica) does have a significant design problem, that being that the tubes don't protrude from the wooden block that holds them. As a result, I could only load 6, not 7, cartridges so that I could pull the tube out with my inserted finger. Had the wooden block been made a bit shorter, I would have been able to load 7 cartridges in each tube and grab the protruding end of the tube itself. Well, it's all easily fixable but something to be looked at by the replica manufacturer in my opinion.
@@littlehouseguy7782 Hello again, Do you have any tricks on getting the Spencer carbine to feed properly ? I have an original carbine that is real finicky. I have tried all different overall lengths for the cartridges and different bullet profiles. So I have been loading it as a single shot.
You may be interested in looking at my video on the Warner carbine as it is not to common. Happy shooting...... Doc
@@dr.durellshepard398 I have heard of the Warner carbine, so I will certainly check out your video! In regard to Spencers jamming, I've heard that they are notorious for it, and it still happens periodically with me. In general, I make sure the muzzle is pointed up when I cycle the lever forward (as the rifle just has an extractor, not an ejector, so gravity is needed) and the make sure the muzzle is pointed down not quite perpendicularly to the ground in order to use gravity again to help it cycle. When I've had a jam and have had to take the jamming cartridge with projectile out, I've noticed deep grooves in the soft lead of the projectile head. My hypothesis is that the original longer cone shape of the original cartridges allowed for easier loading as compared to the broader projectiles that are common with reloading.
@@littlehouseguy7782 Thank you for writing back. Come to think of it, I did install the center fire breech block so my bullets are flat nose instead of pointy for rim fire, like you say. I'll try you technique ......Doc
Great video as always and good shooting too. I especially liked the short explanation at the end about the guns and how they work. Would love to see that in future videos. Thanks for sharing.
I have always detested the timbre of my voice and have shied away from talking. Nevertheless, I'll consider adding more little tutorials at the end of my future videos. I still do have pieces I've yet to debut!
I can understand that but we are here because we enjoy the firearms and what you do with them. Keep up the good work and thanks for sharing.
Hi Eric. I don't know if I like your rifles, shooting or costumes the best but I sure like your videos.
Well, thanks very much! I have no fancy TH-cam filming technology or editing skills., just an iPhone and a friend.
@@littlehouseguy7782 Well I don't even have the camera or anyone to film me. Lol. But I like your simple videos without the big Hollywood intros and death metal music some posters seem to think everyone wants to hear. So don't change a thing.
@@ttiroff Thank you for that, Mr. T! I like to keep the videos focused around loading, shooting, and hitting targets with these rifles; that's what most want to see. I don't need to make any review videos. There are plenty already out there.
I made a Blakesly Box. They are an infernal, awkward nuisance and I'm not surprised soldiers would "accidentally" lose them! Very cool to have period correct leather accessories though.
I can see that. You know, I could only put six cartridges in the tubes, not seven, because with seven, I couldn't stick my finger in the tube enough to pull it out. The wooden block should be shorter so that I would be able to pinch the end of the tube and pull it out that way. I may do that in the future. Interestingly, this is the only time I have shot this piece as a repeater. In practice, I just reload the same case over and over again and just breech load it.
Great! I love the Spencer repeater carbine too! Your rifle is very nice! Greetings from France 🇨🇵
Thank you very much! I enjoy shooting these historical pieces immensely! I guess you could say that the carbine version of the Spencer is the most famous. However, I do understand that the cavalry also used full-length rifles as well.
If any are interested in seeing original rimfire and modern centerfire versions of Spencer cartridges, fast forward to 7 minutes, 52 seconds.
Good Shooting Eric Wish I Could Have Been There; Maybe Next Time!! 👍🏻
Thanks, Jeff. We certainly did miss you and your gang! The next walkthrough will be at the end of November. Don't forget that the Springfield Trapdoor match is the second Sunday of September- 200 yards at the bench!
Good to see you!
Thanks! I am glad to have been able to film another trail walk. We only have those on a fifth Sunday of a month if the month has one. The next and last one of 2020 will be the last Sunday in November. I still don't know what piece I will film with for that one.
Love the video. Good shootin'!
Thank you....and I had the audacity to complain about the heat that day. The following week was murderously hot at 119 F. What a rough day shooting that was!
Eric, I have been discussing flaws in the Chiappa Reproduction Spencers with another TH-camr. Since you have originals, I would be interested in knowing how the Saddle Ring bar is attached internally on your carbine? Chiappa uses weak spot welds that brake off when used with a sling on horseback. I was wondering if your originals were peened in place internally or by another method that would make them heavy duty so as not to break ? I remain your obediant Servant.
I will look into this. Could you send me a private email at littlehouseguy.com? I will see about uploading some photos for you.
What is the name of that version of the kepi
To my knowledge, it is the standard infantry one. I just have a white havelock on it due to the sun and heat.
Great video! I have Spencer New Model rifle too. The original cartridge don't want to enter in the chamber. The 56-50 made for the reproductions of Spencer have smaller diameter than the original 56-50 and enter perfect in the chamber. After reading books and on the internet I found that All Spencer New Model are chambered in 56-52 Spencer. My rifle is in unused condition with 100% colour case hardening preserved. If you have a original 56-50 cartridge would you try it did it fits in your rifle?
I do have an original, and it does fit. Read the description paragraph that I wrote below the video because I talk about the differences in cases between reproduction Spencers and originals. Buffalo Arms sells cases for originals in .56-.50, and those are what I use in this. Those cases take a .520-inch diameter slug, which Buffalo Arms also sells the mold to.
I have original spencer M1865 rifle how i find information of my caliber ?
I am not an expert on it and will need to get back to you. In general and to my understanding, the model 1860 was in .56-.56, and the model 1865 was in .56-.50. You will need to slug your bore. There are a variety of bore sizes, but in general again, .56-.56 took at .539 inch projectile, and the .56-.50 took a .520 inch projectile.
The One!!
You are too kind! It was a great day connecting with a great rifle, though.
Howdy Capn’. I see all that hard labor is pulling off well. Looking like a chiseled greek statue
Oh my! Those are baggy clothes! However, I probably AM the best ditch digger on the hill!
Where did you find the blakeslee box?
I think I may have bought it from blockade runner: www.blockaderunner.com/Catalog/catpg11.htm
Freakin wish I could shoot like that!
You give me too much credit, Northern Woodsman! I spend several weeks at the bench getting ready for a trail walk. I do this especially with rifles that shoot "anemic" cartridges so that I can really learn the drop curve. I traditionally put paper out at 50, 70, and 100 yards in order to learn the sight pictures. In addition, I shoot at dingers at 80, 150, and 200 yards. Then, of course, shooting off-hand is a different skill, and most of the time, my shots will go higher (until I am fatigued and start dropping the rifle), for, as you know, black powder is slower burning, so many times the recoil will actually start affecting you when shooting off-hand before the projectile leaves a long barrel, usually making the rifle slant up with recoil. Also, in all honestly, pretty much every video I have filmed has been a trail walk on this course, so I am used to shooting this course and dingers. I don't think I could hit with such consistency on a new course at dingers and distances I haven't thoroughly practiced before. Thank you for your praise; I am comfortable telling people that I am good enough to be dangerous.
That gun looks like it could have been made in 1967, crazy to think it's almost 153 years old and it still shoots and looks that good.
Yeah! The bore is pretty good although it isn't perfect; it is a little bit pitted but has deep, sharp rifling. My Spencer carbine, however, has a bore like a mirror and appears to have never seen any serious use.
@@littlehouseguy7782 Oh and nice shooting by the way.
@@americangangster1911 Thanks. I am good enough to be dangerous. I'll hit that plate more times than the guy next to me with a loud semiautomatic AR who goes through 100 rounds in 5 minutes!
@@littlehouseguy7782 lol nice
Wow, that ammo is so hard to find.. Good video.
Thanks. I have learned quite a great deal on how to reproduce both the Spencer .56-.56 and .56-.50 cartridges in centerfire versions.
you got style
Thank you. I remember someone commented once that there was no excuse to look shabby at the range!
These Rifles are Amazingly Accurate and You are a Crack Shot I Couldn’t Imagine Getting Hit With a 56 Cal Slug Especially Back in The Civil War Era That Would Almost Be Certain Death 🤕 Thank You For Another Great Historical Shoot 😀👍🏼
I don't know too much about ballistics, but I think what the big black powder slugs had was punching power, not necessarily the piercing power of high velocity, small caliber slugs. The shockwave of getting hit with one of these would cause major organ damage even in an area not directly hit. I do my best to get these originals shooting to their capability. Who knows....they might shoot better now since I cast slugs that are the diameter size the gun likes. In regard to being a crack shot, I appreciate it but must acknowledge that I am only good enough to be dangerous. Others in my club, Burbank Muzzleloaders, can shoot circles around me!
The 56-50 is no slouch
Although "underpowered" by most definitions, it can do enough damage.
Are those BLM targets you shooting ?
No Sir! Those are metal plates of all different colors, metals, and designs. The targets don't represent or allude to any of Americas various racial or ethnic groups.
Little House Guy diversity 🇲🇾🇲🇾
@@tonypyare Yes, I am a fan of ALL guns!
So only the Sharps rifle use real rifle ammutions in that era
I am not sure what you mean. Combustible paper cartridges? Metalic cartridges?
@@littlehouseguy7782 a long catridge . it is different than other. sharps bullet are quite the same with rifle ammutions nowadays
What happened to your videos? You disappeared again.
So sorry. I haven't been filming as of late. Teaching grades 6 through 8, all subjects, all in one room, has consumed my time! Also, I don't see quite as well as I did before, so it may all be coming to a close for me, unfortunately.
Imagine getting hit by these .57 cal monsters, and these were responsible for comminuted fractures that had all their victims' destroyed limbs amputated during the Civil War.
The punching power with the shockwave that occurs in the body is certainly lethal.
@littlehouseguy7782 the reason why Spencer Minie rimfires were feared in the Civil War.