Spencer Carbine

[dfletcher]

I just picked up the Chiappa copy of the Spencer carbine in 45 Colt and am running into some feed issues. I know pointed bullets are to be avoided for safety reasons, but is the Spencer limited to a fairly short OAL or bullet type for function? RNFP type only? Loading some 260 RNHP and 250 SWC immediately causes a failure to feed in the following way -

Drop 3 or 4 (dummy) rounds in the tube, action closed, hammer at half cock. Lever open the action, no problem. Try to close the action - rock solid stop just after starting to close the action. All the rounds will drop back out through the feed tube, the 1st round (that jammed) always has a horizontal impression just a tad behind the tip of the bullet. It's as though trying to lever the action closed is being stopped by the bullet protruding too far forward and hitting a straight edge inside the action.

Working the action hard will feed, but shaves a slice of lead from just behind the tip of the bullet forward.

Any insight, or suggestion from anyone using the Spencer?

[smle-man]

I just picked up the Chiappa copy of the Spencer carbine in 45 Colt and am running into some feed issues. I know pointed bullets are to be avoided for safety reasons, but is the Spencer limited to a fairly short OAL or bullet type for function? RNFP type only? Loading some 260 RNHP and 250 SWC immediately causes a failure to feed in the following way -

Drop 3 or 4 (dummy) rounds in the tube, action closed, hammer at half cock. Lever open the action, no problem. Try to close the action - rock solid stop just after starting to close the action. All the rounds will drop back out through the feed tube, the 1st round (that jammed) always has a horizontal impression just a tad behind the tip of the bullet. It's as though trying to lever the action closed is being stopped by the bullet protruding too far forward and hitting a straight edge inside the action.

Working the action hard will feed, but shaves a slice of lead from just behind the tip of the bullet forward.

Any insight, or suggestion from anyone using the Spencer?

I don't have one but given the profile of the original round I think you are correct, short length RN lead would probably feed best.

[plumbum]

That is why the cowboy loads use those 200 grain LRN’s, also because of the 1851/60 conversion cylinders. Sounds like a good excuse to get some .45 Schofield brass!

[200Apples]

Sounds like the chamber portal edge is too sharp, and a fix such as is done to Marlin carbines might relieve the issue.

See W.R.Buchanan's post, here: http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/s...6&postcount=32

[pennstater]

Sounds like the chamber portal edge is too sharp, and a fix such as is done to Marlin carbines might relieve the issue.

See W.R.Buchanan's post, here: http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/s...6&postcount=32

Good call Chris. That would have been my opinion also.

MLC

[DueceMcGurk]

Fletch,

Congrats on the Spencer. The grandpappy of levers. Historical, interesting, beautiful.

Who doesn't want a lever that tube loads through the buttstock?!!

Might want to talk your problem with Randall too. He is very talented and helpful.

[dfletcher]

Appreciate the responses and guidance - I have some 200 and 225 grain RNL bullets for reloading and will give them a try. With the above help I think I figured out the problem. It's not with the first round but rather the 2nd.

The first round is pushed on to what would be called the carrier. No problem. Closing the action, the carrier then swings up from about an 8 o'clock position and (should) shovel the round into the chamber. What I think is happening is a too long a profile bullet from the 2nd round is poking its nose ahead a bit too far and the back end of the carrier is clipping it on its way closed. The chunk of lead sheared off is the result of the carrier's sharp edge hitting it when being levered closed.

The Schofields are shorter cased, same bullet is missed by the carrier. But the shorter case gives feed problems, so the solution is shorter, lighter weight bullets.

I hope ….

[Spyder]

.....

[200Apples]

n/m