.56-56 Spencer
American black powder rifle cartridge / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The .56-56 Spencer (14x22mmRF) was an American black powder rifle cartridge.
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Quick Facts Type, Place of origin ...
.56-56 Spencer | ||||||||
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Type | Rifle | |||||||
Place of origin | United States | |||||||
Production history | ||||||||
Designer | Christopher Spencer | |||||||
Specifications | ||||||||
Case type | Rimmed, straight | |||||||
Bullet diameter | .550 in (14.0 mm) | |||||||
Neck diameter | .560 in (14.2 mm) | |||||||
Shoulder diameter | .560 in (14.2 mm) | |||||||
Base diameter | .560 in (14.2 mm) | |||||||
Rim diameter | .645 in (16.4 mm) | |||||||
Case length | .875 in (22.2 mm) | |||||||
Overall length | 1.545 in (39.2 mm) | |||||||
Primer type | Rimfire | |||||||
Maximum pressure (CIP) | 11,600 psi (80 MPa) | |||||||
Ballistic performance | ||||||||
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Source(s): Barnes & Amber[1] |
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Designed for the Spencer rifle and carbine, patented 6 March 1860, it was employed by cavalry during the American Civil War, first appearing at Sharpsburg in rifle form. No Spencer carbines were on issue at the Battle of Gettysburg, though two units under Custer had the rifles. The .56-56 was loaded with a slug of 350–360 gr (22.7–23.3 g) over 42–45 gr (2.7–2.9 g) of black powder. It was loaded by a variety of companies, and was also used in the Ballard and Joslyn carbines. It is a short-ranged cartridge, ineffective on anything larger than deer. Commercially loaded ammunition continued to be available into the 1920s and 1930s.