.50-70 Government
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| .50-70 Government | ||
|---|---|---|
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| Type | Rifle | |
| Place of origin | USA | |
| Service history | ||
| In service | 1866-1873 | |
| Used by | USA | |
| Production history | ||
| Designed | 1866 | |
| Specifications | ||
| Case type | Rimmed, straight | |
| Bullet diameter | .515 in (13.1 mm) | |
| Neck diameter | .535 in (13.6 mm) | |
| Base diameter | .565 in (14.4 mm) | |
| Rim diameter | .660 in (16.8 mm) | |
| Rim thickness | .065 in (1.7 mm) | |
| Case length | 1.75 in (44 mm) | |
| Overall length | 2.25 in (57 mm) | |
| Primer type | Large rifle | |
| Ballistic performance | ||
| Bullet weight/type | Velocity | Energy |
| 425 gr (27.5 g) Lead SP | 1,448 ft/s (441 m/s) | 1,979 ft·lbf (2,683 J) |
| 550 gr (36 g) Lead FN | 1,375 ft/s (419 m/s) | 2,310 ft·lbf (3,130 J) |
| 400 gr (26 g) SP | 1,849 ft/s (564 m/s) | 3,037 ft·lbf (4,118 J) |
| Test barrel length: 28" Source: Accurate Powder [1] |
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The .50-70 Government cartridge was a black powder round adopted in 1866 for the Springfield Model 1866 Trapdoor Springfield. The cartridge was developed after the unsatisfactory results of the .58 rimfire cartridge for the Model 1865 Trapdoor Springfield.
The .50-70 Government cartridge became the official cartridge of the US military until replaced by the .45-70 Government in 1873, with a pressure limit of 22,500 PSI.[1]
The official nomenclature is .50-70-450. It stands for
Caliber .50
Powder Charge 70 grains (4.5 g) black powder
Bullet Weight 450 grains (29 g)
Since this cartridge is no longer commercially produced, reloaders have experimented with a variety of bullet weights from 425 to 600 grains (39 g) in weight. There is evidence that a reduced load version of this cartridge was officially produced for use in Sharps carbines converted to metallic cartridge ammunition, as well as cadet rifles. This used a 430-grain (28 g) bullet and 45 grains (2.9 g) of powder.
