Author Topic: New 50-70 barrel is here  (Read 868 times)

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Offline dubber123

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New 50-70 barrel is here
« on: April 25, 2006, 03:01:41 PM »
Took delivery of my new 6 1/2 inch 50-70 barrel today.  First problem was it was supposed ot be drilled for iron sights and only was for the rear!  Some beer and whining got my friend to tap it for me.  Only had time for a little shooting but it looks hopeful.  Recoil with 435 gr. WFN's isn't bad at all, ...yet.  Cases are still a little black towards the neck, so they aren't even forming to the chamber yet.  I'll let you know when I chronograph it.

Offline Tommyt

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New 50-70 barrel is here
« Reply #1 on: April 25, 2006, 03:55:39 PM »
I'm interested in the follow up
Also is this contender Frame ??

Offline dubber123

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reply to Tommyt
« Reply #2 on: April 25, 2006, 04:05:55 PM »
This is a regular not Encore frame, I am very impressed with the look and balance of the 6 1/2" barrel, It may be the best balancing handgun I have, and I've got a few.  I am seriously considering calling in tommorrow so I can shoot all day!  I will chronograph it ASAP.  It feels like I will get the speed I am after, I don't expect a speed demon, but a 450 to 500+ gr. at 850 or so isn't bad either in a short light gun.  Thanks.

Offline Redhawk1

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New 50-70 barrel is here
« Reply #3 on: April 26, 2006, 01:46:01 AM »
Just to make it clear, it is for the Contender frame. :D
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Offline Tommyt

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New 50-70 barrel is here
« Reply #4 on: April 26, 2006, 11:59:53 AM »
Quote from: Redhawk1
Just to make it clear, it is for the Contender frame. :D


Yes contender or handgun, I'm a bit confused :-D

Offline dubber123

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reply to Tommyt
« Reply #5 on: April 26, 2006, 01:04:37 PM »
Tommy, sorry for the confusion, this is a 20+ year old regular TC contender pistol.  The barrel is a new Bullberry 6 1/2 inches long in 50-70 government caliber.  I just finished shooting some more and got some initial info.  I will definately get the speed I want with the 435 grainers at least.  I got up to 835 fps with Blue Dot powder,  and the load still isn't fully sealing the case to the chamber, which tells me pressure is still low.  I am using CCI pistol primers which still look great after firing,  and the cases fall out of the gun.  My dies are junk however, and only size the case to .513" inside diameter, which isn'tgood at all with .511" bullets.  A new set of dies will help alot.  I stuffed some unsized .515" 500 grain bullets in and they outshot the rest, probably because they fit tightly in the case.  Thanks for being interested

Offline cooper

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New 50-70 barrel is here
« Reply #6 on: April 27, 2006, 06:13:01 AM »
What is the twist?

I wonder if it is fast enough to stabilize surplus 50 BMG bullets (especially the tracer)!

Offline Lone Star

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New 50-70 barrel is here
« Reply #7 on: April 27, 2006, 10:16:45 AM »
The tracers are great fun in my 14" SSK tube, but you have to be very careful where you fire them.  I shot all mine over a mile-wide mudflat towards the ocean - the risk of fire is very real with these, they have a lot of powder in them.  Lots of fun fired at 950 fps, slow and easy to see especially on an overcast day.  Ricochets off the ground are interesting too!

I think my barrel has an 8" twist, it looks like it's threaded on the inside.

Offline dubber123

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Reply to Cooper and Lone Star
« Reply #8 on: April 27, 2006, 11:23:57 AM »
At the suggestion of the barrel maker I went with a 1 in 26" twist.  They offered a 1 in 16" which sounded much better to me, but I went with their recomendation.  I hope I don't regret it later.  I'll let you know, thanks.

Offline Lone Star

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New 50-70 barrel is here
« Reply #9 on: April 27, 2006, 02:47:04 PM »
I think you made the right choice.  When I bought my barrel JD was calling it the .50-70 Whisper, hence the very tight twist to shoot the BMG bullets at subsonic speeds.  It also has a long throat; I was genuinely surprised that it shot as well as it did with cast bullets.  A slower twist will be better for everything but the long long long BMG bullets.

Offline dubber123

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reply to lone star on 50-70 accuracy
« Reply #10 on: April 27, 2006, 03:20:05 PM »
Thanks for the new info.  I just finished  shooting some very oversized .515" bullets that I cast.  I tried them because my loose dies won't hold onto any of my other bullets.  These are 500 grainers, and other than the small nose, I couldn't be happier.  The powder I tried was Unique, and my first 35 yd. group was .638"!  I went up another grain, and the second looked even tighter.  By then it was getting too dark to chronograph, but these 500's are starting to kick out of this 6 1/2 incher.  The only problem is they shoot about 14" too high, and my sight is bottomed out in the back, with my tallest front.  I'll wait to get some tighter dies, and if the 435 grainers shoot as well then, I won't bother to change the front blade.  Thanks again.

Offline jrkrk

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New 50-70 barrel is here
« Reply #11 on: April 28, 2006, 01:45:22 AM »
Dubber congrats on the new barrel. How about posting a pic of the barrel along with the 50-70 round. :grin:

Offline dubber123

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reply to jrkrk
« Reply #12 on: April 28, 2006, 10:56:39 AM »
jrkrk, I'm not so good with the computer thing, I will try to get my brothers wife to figure it out, maybe tonight.  Thanks for the interest.