Anyone have firsthand experience reloading the .50-70 Gov't. cartridge, also known as "1 3/4" Sharps"? I have a old Remington Rolling Block and a Trapdoor Springfield I am looking to reload for. Both rifles were shooters when we were kids and I'm looking to take them out again this summer.

 

I've nosed around Castboolits for some load data, found quite a bit for both smokeless and BP, as I am looking at using both blackpowder and possibly AA's xmp-5744 (reduced loads less than 18,000 CUP.)

 

Anyone with any experience here is welcome to chime in.

 

[i fell over backwards when I saw the price of brass, with its limited availability and the wait time. I don't cast my own bullets but there are limited sources for bullets as well, so they're available.]

Sounds like a fun project. You should get a good run out of whatever brass you pick up for this. I wish I could help, but my experience is limited to 45-70 modern lever action loading. Use some BP for fun!

I'm familiar with reduced .45-70 loads using SR4759. (There's a section in an old Speer manual just for the .45-70 Trapdoor Springfield.) Tough finding stuff on the .50-70 as it's not that popular, but I'm finding data on the Sharps forum and on Castboolits. (And it's a shame I found the Sharps forum, because I have always wanted one!!!)