The Early 50 Caliber Cartridges Presented by Larry Potterfield | MidwayUSA Reloading

Published on February 20, 2017
Duration: 3:59

Larry Potterfield provides an expert overview of early .50 caliber black powder cartridges and firearms from the 1860s and 1870s. He details the naming conventions, specifications, and historical context of cartridges like the .50 Remington Pistol, .50-45-400, and .50-70 Government, demonstrating their associated firearms and discussing their performance.

Quick Summary

Expert Larry Potterfield details early .50 caliber black powder cartridges from the 1860s-70s, including the .50 Remington Pistol (50-25-300), .50-45-400, and .50-70 Government. He explains their naming conventions (caliber-powder-bullet weight), specifications, and showcases associated firearms like the Springfield 'Trapdoor' and Remington Rolling Blocks.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction to Early .50 Caliber Cartridges
  2. 00:21The .50 Remington Pistol Cartridge
  3. 01:03The .50-45-400 Cartridge
  4. 01:26The .50-70 Government Cartridge
  5. 01:59Sharps and Remington .50-70 Rifles
  6. 03:14Range Demonstration

Frequently Asked Questions

What were the key early .50 caliber black powder cartridges discussed?

The video focuses on three main early .50 caliber black powder cartridges: the .50 Remington Pistol (50-25-300), the .50-45-400, and the .50-70 Government (50-70-450). Each had distinct specifications for bullet weight and powder charge.

How were early .50 caliber cartridges named?

The naming convention, exemplified by '50-25-300', typically indicated the caliber (.50), the weight of the powder charge in grains (25), and the weight of the bullet in grains (300). This system provided a quick reference for ammunition characteristics.

What historical firearms were featured with these early .50 caliber cartridges?

Featured firearms included the Remington Rolling Block Cadet, Remington Rolling Block Navy Pistol, Remington Rolling Block Model 1867 Navy Carbine, Springfield Model 1866 'Trapdoor', and 1863 Sharps rifles, showcasing the application of these powerful early cartridges.

What is the significance of the 'Trapdoor' action?

The 'Trapdoor' action, notably on the Springfield Model 1866, refers to its distinctive hinged breech block mechanism that opens like a trapdoor for loading and unloading. This was a significant advancement in breech-loading rifle technology.

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