Reeder Custom Guns - 50-70. Happy Day but feeling a bit stupid...

Some years back I bought a new Remington Rolling Block Rifle in 50-70. It appears to be custom as they didn't make the New Models in 50-70.

Gun is absolutely mint condition. Has the deluxe tang sight and target front including the level. A bit fancy for my taste, but the seller wanted $800 so it's been in my safe for 10+ years.

I quickly found why I got such a bargain price. No ammo would chamber. Tried making my own and notta...

But, since Gary is building me a couple 50-70s, I grabbed a new set of dies. I had Lyman, so picked up some Hornady.

Loading some ammo for Gary and decided to drop some in the Rolling Block. Guess what?

Can't believe I've been too stupid to try different dies. They fit like a champ. Both Starline and Bertram Brass fits perfectly.

Guess never to old to learn and admit my mistakes.

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is heat treat them. And in the heat treating sometimes they shrink a bit and sometimes they expand. Normally they don't do this to the extent that they are out of max specs, but sometimes they do. I am sure the sizer die expanded so the brass wasn't sized enough to chamber the round. Schlitz happens.

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So tolerances have changed through the eons. Original bullet diameter was .515" and since changed to .510".

Dealing with these fine custom guns worn tolerate .005" oversized ammo.

This was straight up my lack of research. Just shot the gun and it groups great. Just another lesson learned.

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I have one set of Lyman 35 Whelen dies that are out of spec, and have had several bullet molds that cast understized and out of round bullets.

I refuse to buy anything new from them, as I have had horrible luck with their customer service.

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50-70. Happy Day but feeling a bit stupid...

Interesting that the Lyman dies are out of spec that much

the last thing die makers do before they box up the dies

Keep in mind the 50-70 is 152 years old...

Yes I too found out late in life to check everything.

Lyman