+ Reply to Thread
Page 1 of 2 1 2 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 19

Thread: Peabody carbines in 56-50 anyone shoot them?

Click here to increase the font size Click here to reduce the font size
  1. #1
    Legacy Member Frank46's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Last On
    02-13-2024 @ 12:40 PM
    Location
    New Iberia, Louisiana
    Posts
    63
    Local Date
    03-29-2024
    Local Time
    08:16 AM

    Peabody carbines in 56-50 anyone shoot them?

    Good morning. Recently bought a Peabody Carbine in 56-50 caliber. Has a few issues. Muzzle crown needs to be redone cannot even get a ball in there to slug the bbl. Stock has the dings and dents of the last 140 or so years. The bore is suprisingly very nice. There are a few scattered pits but overall the bore is definitely shootable. Lock functions well, trigger works. Reason I ask if anyone has one, do they have any idea of the interior bore dimensions?. Figured that way I would get a couple moulds. Hoping to hear from anyone. Thanks, Frank
    Information
    Warning: This is a relatively older thread
    This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

  2. # ADS
    Friends and Sponsors
    Join Date
    October 2006
    Location
    Milsurps.Com
    Posts
    All Threads
    A Collector's View - The SMLE Short Magazine Lee Enfield 1903-1989. It is 300 8.5x11 inch pages with 1,000+ photo’s, most in color, and each book is serial-numbered.  Covering the SMLE from 1903 to the end of production in India in 1989 it looks at how each model differs and manufacturer differences from a collecting point of view along with the major accessories that could be attached to the rifle. For the record this is not a moneymaker, I hope just to break even, eventually, at $80/book plus shipping.  In the USA shipping is $5.00 for media mail.  I will accept PayPal, Zelle, MO and good old checks (and cash if you want to stop by for a tour!).  CLICK BANNER to send me a PM for International pricing and shipping. Manufacturer of various vintage rifle scopes for the 1903 such as our M73G4 (reproduction of the Weaver 330C) and Malcolm 8X Gen II (Unertl reproduction). Several of our scopes are used in the CMP Vintage Sniper competition on top of 1903 rifles. Brian Dick ... BDL Ltd. - Specializing in British and Commonwealth weapons Specializing in premium ammunition and reloading components. Your source for the finest in High Power Competition Gear. Here at T-bones Shipwrighting we specialise in vintage service rifle: re-barrelling, bedding, repairs, modifications and accurizing. We also provide importation services for firearms, parts and weapons, for both private or commercial businesses.
     

  3. #2
    Advisory Panel

    jmoore's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Last On
    06-09-2023 @ 04:20 AM
    Location
    US of A
    Posts
    7,066
    Local Date
    03-29-2024
    Local Time
    08:16 AM
    56-50 as in Spencer rimfire type cartridge?

  4. Avoid Ads - Become a Contributing Member - Click HERE
  5. #3
    Legacy Member gsimmons's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2010
    Last On
    02-23-2024 @ 02:42 PM
    Location
    Western North Carolina
    Posts
    1,368
    Local Date
    03-29-2024
    Local Time
    07:16 AM
    The problem with trying shoot them is, like the Spencer they need to have a centrefire breach block made and use cut down 50-70 brass.



  6. #4
    Advisory Panel Patrick Chadwick's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Last On
    06-25-2023 @ 06:36 AM
    Location
    Germany
    Posts
    5,032
    Local Date
    03-29-2024
    Local Time
    02:16 PM

    Make rimfire cases!

    Quote Originally Posted by gsimmons View Post
    The problem with trying shoot them is, like the Spencer they need to have a centrefire breach block made

    Not necessarily so! You do not have to alter your historic original - you just have to make rimfire cartridge cases.

    No joke. I do not have time just now to make photos for a proper d.i.y. tutorial, as I am about to drive off to Franceicon to participate in a national competition, where in the black powder cartridge revolver class I shall be attempting to hit the target with bullets fired from a Belgian copy of a S&W Russianicon that fires .44 rimfire cartridges, a.k.a. .44 Henry flat. Yes, I did make them myself. I am a lousy handgun shooter, and will probably finish last, but I am quite determined when it comes to getting an old banger going again...

    If you can hang on for a fortnight, I shall makes some photos when I return. You need a lathe with a milling slide (or a small milling machine), reasonable experience in using the same, and a lot of patience.


    Patrick

    ---------- Post added at 09:58 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:51 PM ----------

    Quote Originally Posted by Frank46 View Post
    Reason I ask if anyone has one, do they have any idea of the interior bore dimensions?. Figured that way I would get a couple moulds.

    That could be an expensive mistake. Do not go by any published dimensions. At that age, any rifle has to be treated as an individual. You must slug the bore properly before spending substantial sums of money on a mould which will probably need to be custom-made.
    Last edited by Patrick Chadwick; 05-14-2012 at 04:08 PM.

  7. #5
    Legacy Member gsimmons's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2010
    Last On
    02-23-2024 @ 02:42 PM
    Location
    Western North Carolina
    Posts
    1,368
    Local Date
    03-29-2024
    Local Time
    07:16 AM
    Patrick, I'd love to see it, thank you. With regard to the Spencer's. Their is a drop in centre fire breach available so you don't have to permanently alter the original gun. That's what I was thinking could be done with the Peabody. But making cartridges sounds like it may be easier and cheaper to do.



  8. #6
    Legacy Member jamie5070's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Last On
    Today @ 08:14 AM
    Location
    tucson, arizona
    Posts
    548
    Local Date
    03-29-2024
    Local Time
    07:16 AM
    Dixie gun works carries brass rimfire cases that use a .22 blank pressed into an offset hole. They aren't cheap at 6/ $28.50. If Dixie sells them than someone else may also and cheaper.
    They maybe the way to go if you just want to pop off a few rounds.
    john

  9. #7
    Advisory Panel Patrick Chadwick's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Last On
    06-25-2023 @ 06:36 AM
    Location
    Germany
    Posts
    5,032
    Local Date
    03-29-2024
    Local Time
    02:16 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by jamie5070 View Post
    Dixie gun works carries brass rimfire cases that use a .22 blank pressed into an offset hole. They aren't cheap at 6/ $28.50.

    Quite frankly, I would get some. At least enough to give the rifle a fair trial. Making these things by hand takes hours!

  10. #8
    Legacy Member Frank46's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Last On
    02-13-2024 @ 12:40 PM
    Location
    New Iberia, Louisiana
    Posts
    63
    Local Date
    03-29-2024
    Local Time
    08:16 AM
    Thread Starter
    Gents, this is not a spencer but an origional preabody saddle ring carbine in 56-50 caliber. I have already pruchased a spare rim fire breech block and spare rim fire firing pin. Now here is the fly in the ointment. I bought 10 each starline 5070 cases and 10 each 56-50 cases. The latter chamber easily. However some information researched leads me to believe that in the end I will end up trimming the 50-70 cases down to get the proper case length. I have been giving much serious thought to having the barrel rechambered to 50-70 to simplify getting proper cases and while this is being done, have the spare breech block converted to centerfire. Loading data I have seen indicates that for the carbine 55 grains of black powder with a 480 grain cast lead bullet should approximize the standard 50-70 carbine load. The carbine's bore is in pretty good shape and should make a good shooter. Any comments and/or suggestions are invited. Thanks, Frank

  11. #9
    Advisory Panel

    jmoore's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Last On
    06-09-2023 @ 04:20 AM
    Location
    US of A
    Posts
    7,066
    Local Date
    03-29-2024
    Local Time
    08:16 AM
    Understood it's a Peabody. Just making sure of the caliber. I'd leave the chamber as is. But if you've spare bits for the breechblock, making it a centerfire 56-50 might work best as it's a reversible mod. Once you've built a supply of cases, they'll last a mighty long while if properly tended to. No need for much crimping if any.

    I'm still regretting not getting the last Peabody rifle I saw for sale. 45-70 (Rebarreled for the CT militia) But the urge to modify it was strong (i.e. fancy sights), so I let it go.

  12. #10
    Legacy Member gsimmons's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2010
    Last On
    02-23-2024 @ 02:42 PM
    Location
    Western North Carolina
    Posts
    1,368
    Local Date
    03-29-2024
    Local Time
    07:16 AM
    I also realised it was a Peabody. I was using the Spencer as an example, because I know centre fire breaches are available for it. I didn't know you could get new breaches for the Peabody. See I learned something today. If you've got the breach why not just cut the 50-70 brass down and not alter an original gun?



+ Reply to Thread
Page 1 of 2 1 2 LastLast

Similar Threads

  1. Turkish Peabody Martini in 7.62 X 54 Russian.
    By Albayo in forum Martini Henry Rifles
    Replies: 21
    Last Post: 07-26-2012, 05:00 PM
  2. Replies: 0
    Last Post: 08-26-2010, 08:20 PM
  3. Replies: 0
    Last Post: 08-26-2010, 08:17 PM
  4. To shoot or not to shoot uncut OpRods?
    By TheLongshot00 in forum M1 Garand/M14/M1A Rifles
    Replies: 15
    Last Post: 04-23-2010, 03:29 PM
  5. Something Fun To Shoot
    By EvilAquaSnipe in forum Milsurps General Discussion Forum
    Replies: 12
    Last Post: 01-04-2007, 01:01 PM

Tags for this Thread

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
Raven Rocks