There's a fellow on the British Militaria Forums, (You need to Login or Register to view media files and links), who converts bolts and has brass (converted CBC shotgun shells) and Lee molds for some of the Peabody calibers.  Might be worth checking out.

David

Mr. SSDave:

The conversion does sound an interesting challenge. I don't think it is a true "needle gun" , but rather has an enlongated dogleg firing pin.  I recently converted a Spencer block to CF and it was an interesting but labor intensive project. It did come out real well. I am thinking that the Peabody modification would not be all that much different.

Howsomever my cup runneth over right now.  Mayhaps after the shooting season there will be more hours in the day. I am optimistic about this...

FWIW, the Peabody will take more cartridge than you may think. Many were chambered for the venerable .45 Govt. cartridge. It certainly will take a .40-50, either BN or Straight, as well as the .40-65, .40-60, .40-70 BN, .38-55 and the like.

Glenn