Buying reloading dies in calibers for which you don't have firearms

I'm a "repeat offender" in this category. Did a half-day road trip with a friend today, and the only notable find was a set of .56-50 Spencer dies. RCBS, new in box, but the box is dusty! US$120, which seemed just too good a deal to pass up, considering that a shootable Spencer rifle, either original or reproduction, has been on the want list for a long time!

In non-milsurp dies, there's a set of .44 Automag dies in the reloading room patiently awaiting a pistol.

There's probably others, but the Spencer dies are weirdy morale-boosting.

Just wondering if anybody else gets things quite this bass akwards?

Yep. Only I tend to do it with ammo and to a lesser degree with empty brass in oddball calibers. This past Monday I picked up a '92 Winchester to go with a supply of 38 W.C.F.(38-40) ammo and brass I've had on hand for ages.
BTW, I know where there's an oringinal 56-50 Spencer in pretty good shape but it's rimfire and missing it's magazine tube. Was'nt there somebody making conversion breech blocks for them a while back or am I having visions again?

Don't know if Winchester even sells these bullets for reloading any more, but I have had them on the shelf for about 40 years or so.

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo.../246uq6t-1.jpg

I had the Spencer here for a bit and it was for sale...didn't know you were looking. I've done it too. Then you have to buy the gun to go with.

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Originally Posted by vintage hunter

Was'nt there somebody making conversion breech blocks for them a while back or am I having visions again?

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No, they should be out there somewhere.

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Originally Posted by vintage hunter

I know where there's an oringinal 56-50 Spencer in pretty good shape but it's rimfire and missing it's magazine tube.

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Tubes ought not be a big problem as they made plenty of extras. But all hoarded up by a few collectors wouldn't be surprising either.

As far as buying a Spencer, it'll probably be one other those oportunistic things. See it, have the money, and "nothing else shinier in view" sort of deals. And unless it's a super good deal, I'd much rather have the rifle than the carbine. (Have let several good carbines get away already! The last nice rifle was in the lot that was rushed to Gettysburg, and was just a little bit too expensive.)

This one was only about $1000CDN when it sold here. Yes, they make Spencer breech blocks for center fire. The one I had here was not bad and all complete. No history however.

CDN$1000 seems reasonable!

I thought it was a steal. It went to a collector along with a Snider rifle in good shape. He's a good man so it's OK I guess. At least I had the opportunity to clean and oil it before it went. A few years back, I had a Sharps carbine here and a business rifle too...both in good shape. Remarkable what appears from time to time.

In the late 70's I bought several boxes of various and assorted firearms related stuff at a yard sale that included dies for 8X50R Lebel and a box of new unprimed Remington brass. They have been banging around unused until just this week when I paid too much (possibly) for a Berthier 1907/15. I think fourty plus years is enough time to contemplate a purchase, you should never rush into anything. Tom

I have dies in .308 Norma Mag.;6.5 Swedish Mauser;7.65 Carcano;.45-70,and a bunch of other calibers I'll probably never own rifles in (well, maybe I'd like to have a .45-70 someday). If nothing else, they make great trading material. I traded .264 Win. Mag. dies for some tasty stuff recently. Same thing with ammo I don't have rifles in. Opportunity is opportunity. Someone will want it eventually I figure.