50-70 & 50-90 Bullet compatibility.

[Skywagon]

I own a Farmingdale 50-70. It is in the military/musket configuration. I don’t remember what the rate of twist the rifling is. I’ve got a Montana Ruff Rider on order from Shiloh that II will recieve in about 3 mo.. It will be in 50-90 and the 1/22 rate of twist. Is there a bullet wt/type the would be suitable for a hunting application in both rifles out to say 200yds.
Thanks in advance to any help.

[SchuetzenDave]

Bullet Weight Length 1:36 1:34 1:32 1:30 1:28 1:26 1:24 1:22 1:20
Grains Inches
BACO JIM512450 480 0.970 1.80 2.01 2.27 2.59 2.97 3.44 4.04 4.81 5.82
BACO JIM511500 FN 500 1.010 1.69 1.89 2.13 2.43 2.79 3.23 3.79 4.51 5.46
BACO JIM512515 540 1.100 1.46 1.63 1.84 2.10 2.41 2.79 3.28 3.90 4.72
BACO JIM511600 FN 600 1.220 1.22 1.37 1.55 1.76 2.02 2.34 2.75 3.27 3.96
BACO JIM511650 FN 650 1.300 1.11 1.25 1.41 1.61 1.84 2.14 2.51 2.99 3.61
BACO JIM511670M1 Money 670 1.515 0.75 0.84 0.95 1.08 1.24 1.44 1.69 2.02 2.44
BACO JIM511695C1 Creedmore 695 1.450 0.88 0.99 1.12 1.27 1.46 1.69 1.98 2.36 2.86

Gyroscopic Stability factor needs 1.4 to have enough spin and going over 2.0 starts overspinning the bullet (desired for long distance shooting.)
The .50-70 had a 1:36 twist for the 450 grain bullet and the BACO 540 grain is the largest bullet it can use.
I would not expect good results in the 1:22 twist barrels with weights less than 600 or 650 grains.

[SchuetzenDave]

The later .50-70s had a 1:36 twist for 450 grain bullets.
However earlier model .50-70s came out with a 1:48 twist and used a 300 or 340 grain bullet.
You might wish to verify which twist your .50-70 has as well.

[Michael Johnson]

I have a custom 50-90 Remington Rolling Block with a 1/24 twist 1.125 diameter (across the flats), 28 inch Green Mountain barrel. I use it for hunting. It weighs between 10 and 10.5 pounds. I shoot a 550 grain bullet by Paul Jones with a .350 meplat. It is basically the 50 Creedmoor with the nose lopped off. I have hunted bison and elk out to 250 yards with iron sights. I have even shot it in a Silhouette match. So I think I can say with some authority that a 550 grain flat nose bullet stabilizes and performs well out to 500 meters in a 1/24 twist barrel.Because the bullets nose has a large meplat its relative length is shorter than a bullet of the same weight with a round nose.That has to help stability. For hunting I cast the bullet in 40/1 alloy and load Starline cases with 90 grains of Fg Swiss powder. I use a 0.030 LDPE wad and CCIBR2 primers. on one occasion with a bison at 100 yards the bullet passed completely thru the chest from a broadside shot. Another bison shot at 250 yards had the bullet stop under the skin on the far side of the animal and it had expanded to 0.90 inch completely intact. I like 40/1 because the little bit of tin improves the casting process (mould fills out well). Dave Higginbotham built my rifle. Good luck in the hunting grounds! - Mike

[SchuetzenDave]

Sure you can use bullets that fall outside the guidelines of staying with a Sg of 1.4 to 2.0 and hit a six by five foot animal at 100 yards.

However some of us are seeking the best precision possible - we like to strike the Gnat's eye.

Paying attention to obtaining the best spin and ensuring you have the best length of bullet for your rifle's twist means you can stay within a 3/4" bullseye at 100 yards using plain base cast bullets.

[bobw]

I don't know what a 32 RKS is or has to do with bullets to use in a 50 Sharps. Unless a guy has a adjustable KAL Tool ppb mold for paper patch to bore bullets I am not sure how one could get by with 1 mold to cover both the 50 cal guns mentioned. Does the Farmer have a freebore? If you want to go the grease groove route the Lyman 515141 is made for the 50-70 at ~ 450 grs and the 515142 Lyman runs about 540 grs it should work in the 50-2.5". RCBS used to make a 500+ gr greaser mold that Bob Glodt used in his 1-22 twist 50-2.5" in MLV's "Buffalo Guns book. There are molds out there that you might make span the 2 cartridges. Good luck. bobw