Smokeless Powders
The .50-70 Government was the U.S. Military rifle cartridge from 1866 to 1873. It was the first centerfire cartridge in general use by the U.S. Military.
It was used in various models and modifications of the single shot Springfield rifle and was also chambered in the Remington Rolling Block single shot rifle, as well as a large variety of sporting arms of yesteryear.
The .50-70 was a very effective cartridge on the American bison and other large game but its limitations as a military cartridge led to the development and adoption of the .45-70 Government in 1873.
Although at one time quite popular as a sporting cartridge, very few rifles chambered for this cartridge remain in use and if not for recent offerings of reloadable boxer primed cartridge cases from sources such as Dixie Gun Works, they would be relegated to the role of wall hanger. There are also currently available replicas of the 1874 Sharps chambered for the .50-70 Government.
The pressure limit set for the .50-70 Government was arrived at by firing 65 grains of FFg black powder and a 550 grain cast bullet. This produced a pressure of 22,500 P.S.I.
This data is intended only for firearms safe for use with smokeless propellants.
|
.50-70 GOVERNMENT | |||
|
Gun |
C. SHARPS |
Max Length |
1.750" |
|
Barrel Length |
28" |
Trim Length |
1.730" |
|
Primer |
FC 215 |
OAL Max |
2.250" |
|
Case |
DIXIE |
OAL Min |
-- |
|
START LOADS |
MAXIMUM LOADS |
Cartridge | ||||||
|
Bullet |
Powder |
Grains |
Vel. |
Powder |
Grains |
Vel. |
P.S.I. |
Length Comment |
|
425 (L) SP |
5744 |
27.0 |
1249 |
5744 |
30.0 |
1419 |
18,200 |
2.275" * LY515141 |
|
1680 |
27.0 |
1189 |
1680 |
30.0 |
1351 |
14,200 | ||
|
2015 |
36.0 |
1274 |
2015 |
40.0 |
1448 |
16,800 | ||
|
2495 |
45.9 |
1272 |
2495 |
51.0 |
1445 |
9,500 |
Compressed | |
|
4350 |
46.8 |
1085 |
4350 |
52.0 |
1233 |
15,700 |
Compressed | |
|
START LOADS |
MAXIMUM LOADS |
Cartridge | |||||||
|
Bullet |
Powder |
Grains |
Vel. |
Powder |
Grains |
Vel. |
P.S.I. |
Length |
Comment |
|
550 (L) FN |
5744 |
22.5 |
1063 |
5744 |
25.0 |
1208 |
18,600 |
2.200" | |
|
1680 |
25.2 |
1139 |
1680 |
28.0 |
1294 |
16,400 | |||
|
2015 |
30.6 |
1101 |
2015 |
34.0 |
1251 |
18,300 | |||
|
2495 |
37.8 |
1210 |
2495 |
42.0 |
1375 |
17,000 | |||
|
4350 |
43.2 |
1041 |
4350 |
48.0 |
1183 |
18,200 |
Compressed | ||
|
BAR 400 SP |
2015 |
49.5 |
1627 |
2015 |
55.0 |
1849 |
19,400 |
2.315" |
* |
Please note that a firm crimp is necessary for good powder ignition.
* Over Recommended Maximum OAL
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