Introduction
If you’ve arrived at this page, you may be thinking about reloading .50-70 (.50-70 Government). Perhaps you’ve recently acquired a Springfield Trapdoor, Spencer, or perhaps a Rolling Block rifle in .50-70 Government and you may be wondering how you’re ever going to shoot that thing. A reasonable first question that should come before that is “should you?” Our recommendation is to get the firearm checked out thoroughly by a qualified gunsmith. Have it thoroughly evaluated for safety and ability to fire a round. If it checks out, proceed with caution, otherwise hang it on the wall. Your family will be grateful, whether or not they know it.
Occasionally, someone makes ammunition available for it, but ammo hasn’t been commonly produced for this caliber for nearly a century and a half. While we have occasionally found a few rare vendors producing some (see the link at the bottom of this article), your best bet is probably going to be to make some yourself.
Fortunately, there are a number of manufacturers that make tooling and supplies that enable you to make your own. The biggest issue as of late is finding brass, which if available at all, is often very expensive. Everything else is pretty simple.
Finding Components
Starline Brass occasionally produces brass for reloading .50-70. When it’s available, it can be purchased here. Buffalo Arms Company is another solid source.
Reloading dies for this caliber are made by Hornady, RCBS, and Lyman and are available here.
Bullets are generally .515, and available from a wide variety of bullet casting companies. We’ve had good results with lubed and sized bullets from Montana Precision, which along with dies for making your own, can be found here. There are lots of companies that make hardcast lead bullets compatible with 50-70. Also, Lyman and Lee both make molds for casting your own bullets, if you desire.
Black Powder Reloading .50-70
One confusing thing about reloading .50-70 Government with black powder is the name. The .50-70 was a .50 caliber round originally designed to hold 70 grains of black powder. You likely DO NOT want to use that much powder in your 150+ year old weapon. The original round used a 450 grain lead bullet. The maximal pressure for this round is 22,500 PSI, which can be produced with a load of only 65 grains of FFg black powder. Many of the older rifles will tolerate far less pressure, and many authors recommend keeping loads for Springfield Trapdoor-strength actions under roughly 18,000 CUP.
Due to the age of these rifles, we recommend you start out with minimal loads first. As always, consult one or more of the reloading manuals that include data for this round and the rifle you’re intending to shoot.
Bullet Types & Weights
A wide range of bullet types and weights can be used for .50-70 black powder reloading, from 350 to 500 grains. These are generally lead bullets and come in various shapes:
- Round Nose Flat Point (RNFP) – Great for target shooting and short to mid-range hunting.
- Hollow Point (HP) – Good for hunting, as the bullet expands upon impact, creating a larger wound channel.
- Conical – Typically used for long-range shooting, due to its aerodynamic shape.
- Flat Point (FP) – Excellent accuracy and stopping power.
Traditionally, the bullet diameter for the .50-70 is approximately .515 inches, although some may opt for a slightly larger or smaller bullet based on the specific dimensions of their rifle’s bore. Slugging your bore is recommended, as some rifles have bore diameters ranging from .512 to .518 inches. The closer your bullet matches your bore, the better your accuracy. The weight of the bullet commonly ranges from 400 to 500 grains, with 450 grains being a popular choice for historical accuracy. The most common shape is the lead round nose (LRN), which mimics the design of the original military issue projectiles.
Primers
Large rifle primers are used for reloading .50-70 Government. Brand does not matter significantly, but consistency in using the same brand can help maintain accuracy. Examples include the CCI #200, Federal 210, or Winchester Large Rifle Primers.
Cartridge Dimensions
The case length for the .50-70 Government is typically 1.75 inches, and the overall length of the loaded round is approximately 2.25-2.30 inches. The width of the case at the mouth is .535, and the width of the cartridge wall just above the rim is .565. The rim width is .660 wide and .065 deep. Ensure you trim the cases consistently (trim-to length: 1.74 inches) to maintain accuracy, and always inspect for splits, cracks, or other signs of wear before reloading.
Loads and Pressures
Black powder loads for reloading 50-70 usually use Fg or FFg grade black powder. A maximal load (not recommended) might be 70 grains of Fg or FFg black powder – do your research online and in books to determine the pressures and load that can be tolerated by your particular rifle. DO NOT START WITH MAXIMAL LOADS — instead, after you’ve done your research, start with the minimal load that works.
Given the variations in black powder, it’s recommended to start with a reduced load (10-15% less than the typical load) and gradually work up to a full load while observing for signs of excessive pressure (flattened primers, difficult extraction, etc.). Overloading can cause catastrophic failure of the firearm.
Black Powder equivalents such as Pyrodex may be used, but are not recommended unless you’re very familiar with them and how to clean your firearms after using them. We prefer to stick to real black powder.
Smokeless Powder Reloading
Most of the older firearms were not designed for the pressures typically produced by using full-strength loads with smokeless powder. We recommend and prefer black powder loads for reloading .50-70. If you must use smokeless, make sure the load data you use is carefully selected and compatible with your specific firearm. Reliable sources of load data for this endeavor are very hard to find. Lyman’s Reloading Handbook 51st edition appears to be the only one of the well-known authoritative reloading guides to continue to publish .50-70 data. (please let us know if you discover otherwise)
Some handloaders report success with IMR-4198 and Trail Boss for low-pressure, low-recoil smokeless loads. However, do not exceed manual maximums, and do not assume that a load safe in a modern reproduction is automatically safe in an original Trapdoor. Never use fast-burning pistol powders (Bullseye, Red Dot) in the .50-70 — they generate dangerous pressure spikes in large-capacity cases.
This topic has been discussed in forums here. Many of the folks in this forum are hardcore experts, however, the editors of this site don’t have enough practical experience with the suggestions they’ve made to endorse their suggestions — proceed at your own risk.
Bullet Types & Weights
A wide range of bullet types and weights can be used for reloading .50-70 with smokeless powder, from 350 to 500 grains.
Primers
As with black powder reloading, large rifle primers are used for reloading the .50-70 Government for smokeless powder.
Loads and Pressures
Smokeless powder loads for reloading .50-70 are typically much lighter than black powder loads due to the higher energy content of smokeless powder. It’s common to see loads around 30-40 grains or even much lighter, depending on the specific powder.
Always refer to a reliable reloading manual for the specific type of smokeless powder you’re using. Additionally, since you’re dealing with older firearms, starting loads should be reduced by at least 10% to ensure safety. Watch for signs of high pressure.
Considerations for Different Rifles
Springfield Trapdoor
The Springfield Trapdoor is generally less robust than other rifles, so stick to the lower end of load data. Always start with reduced loads and gradually work up, watching for pressure signs. The bullet weight should generally be around 405-500 grains. Keep loads under roughly 18,000 CUP.
Sharps
The Sharps rifle can handle higher pressures and heavier bullets than the Trapdoor. However, excessive pressure can still damage the rifle or cause injury. Start with reduced loads and work up, watching for pressure signs. Bullet weights can range from 350-500 grains.
Rolling Block
Like the Sharps, the Rolling Block can handle higher pressures and heavier bullets. Bullet weights can range from 350-500 grains. Follow the same procedure: start with reduced loads and work up, watching for pressure signs.
Reloading .50-70 can be a lot of fun! Reloading ammunition for older, historical rifles like these requires particular care. The strength and condition of individual firearms can vary greatly, and a load that is safe in one rifle might not be safe in another. Always start with reduced loads, work up gradually, and watch for signs of high pressure.
Disclaimer: Reloading ammunition is a serious and potentially dangerous endeavor. It requires careful attention to detail, appropriate safety measures, and extensive knowledge about the materials and techniques involved. If you decide to reload your own ammunition, be aware of the inherent risks and take necessary precautions. This guide assumes you are familiar with the basic process of reloading ammunition and should not be the only resource you use to learn about reloading.
If you’re not into reloading .50-70, there may actually be some factory-produced ammo from Buffalo Arms available if you’re lucky enough to find some when they have it in stock. Check to see if it’s in stock here.
We have an article that covers the .50-70 Government cartridge itself. Read it here.
The following books are highly recommended:
Another fantastic resource on Black Powder reloading is Mike Venturino’s book, found here. While Lyman’s Reloading Handbook 51st edition has a single page on .50-70 reloading, Lyman has a black powder reloading book too. Oddly, It does not cover reloading 50-70 Government. Other reloading manuals can be found here.
If you know of any forums or sites that should be referenced on this listing, please let us know here.
