Lindcott Armory Rifle · Obsolete
.56-52 Spencer
Christopher Spencer's Civil War repeating rifle cartridge, issued to Union cavalry.
- Introduced
- 1860
- Type
- Rifle
- Origin
- United States
- Inventor
- Christopher Spencer
- Manufacturer
- Spencer Repeating Rifle Company
- Standard
- Obsolete
- Status
- Discontinued
- Availability
- Collector
- Bullet ⌀
- 0.547″
- Case capacity
- 55 gr H₂O
- Twist
- 1:36
- Primer
- Boxer Large Rifle
- Case type
- Rimmed
- Max pressure
- 18,000 psi
- Eff. range
- 200 yd
- Recoil
- 18–26 ft·lb
- Subsonic
- Capable
Ballistics
- Velocity
- 1,200–1,300 fps
- Energy
- 1,121–1,319 ft·lb
- Typical MSRP
- $2.80/rd · price history →
- Parent case
- —
Representative trajectory — modeled from a single velocity input, not a measured load.
Factory loads
In production — 4 active loads across 4 brands. Top 15 shown · see all 19 →.
| Brand | Load | Grain | Bullet | FPS | ft·lb | BC | $/rd |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ten-X Ammunition | Lead RN | 370 | Lead RN | 1,200 | 1,183 | — | — |
| Jamison International | Cowboy | 370 | Lead FP | 1,200 | 1,183 | — | — |
| Graf & Sons | Cowboy | 370 | Lead RN | 1,200 | 1,183 | — | $0.70 |
| Buffalo Arms | Lead RN Reproduction | 370 | Lead RN | 1,200 | 1,183 | — | $2.80 |
| Burnside Rifle Co. | Standard | 350 | LRN | 1,250 | 1,214 | — | — |
| Norma | Classic | 350 | Lead Round Nose | 1,200 | 1,119 | — | — |
| Graf | Standard | 350 | Lead Round Nose | 1,200 | 1,119 | — | — |
| Buffalo Arms | Custom | 350 | Lead Round Nose | 1,200 | 1,119 | — | — |
| RWS | Classic | 350 | Lead Round Nose | 1,200 | 1,119 | — | — |
| Spencer Repeating Rifle Co. | Lead RN Original | 370 | Lead RN | 1,200 | 1,183 | — | — |
| Winchester | Lead RN | 370 | Lead RN | 1,200 | 1,183 | — | — |
| PPU | Standard | 350 | Lead Round Nose | 1,200 | 1,119 | — | — |
| Kynoch | Classic | 350 | Lead Round Nose | 1,200 | 1,119 | — | — |
| Eley | Sport | 350 | Lead Round Nose | 1,200 | 1,119 | — | $0.12 |
| Sellier & Bellot | Standard | 350 | Lead Round Nose | 1,200 | 1,119 | — | $0.85 |
Velocities are manufacturer-stated (test-barrel). Discontinued loads dimmed.
Reloading cost
Estimate your cost per round and how it compares to factory. Inputs are yours — nothing is stored.
Cost estimate only — not load data. Charge weight is your input; follow published manuals for safe charges.
Firearms chambered in .56-52 Spencer
3 models in the database chamber .56-52 Spencer. Browse all →
Connected reference
History
Christopher Spencer developed this rimfire cartridge for his Spencer repeating rifle in 1860. Adopted by the Union Army after Lincoln personally tested the Spencer carbine at the Washington Navy Yard. Spencer repeating arms gave Union cavalry a 7-shot advantage over Confederate single-shot rifle opponents. The cartridge was obsolete by the 1870s.
FAQs
- What twist rate does .56-52 Spencer use?
- .56-52 Spencer typically uses a 1:36 twist rate.
- What bullet diameter is .56-52 Spencer?
- .56-52 Spencer uses a 0.547″ (13.89 mm) diameter bullet.
- Is .56-52 Spencer still in production?
- .56-52 Spencer is discontinued; typical availability is collector.
- What is .56-52 Spencer used for?
- .56-52 Spencer is primarily used for military/le.
Data & sources. Specs compiled from the Lindcott Armory reference; availability counted from 4 live factory loads; the trajectory is modeled (point-mass), not measured. Spotted an error? Report it →