A while back I fooled around and made a bid on a rolling block in 50-70 to become a project donor rifle. After getting it, I realized it’s one of the nicest tightest cleanest New York rollers I’ve ever come across. I don’t have the heart to butcher it any worst than what had already been done.   

With that being said, I need to justify keeping it around. But everywhere I’ve looked, the 50-70 is regarded as a slouch. It makes sense. Super slow twist for that short projectile. No real options for bullets etc. 

In Michigan, it’s under (or at) the 1.8” max for straight wall cartridge, so I CAN use it for deer hunting in the lower lower peninsula. It’s not hard to kill a 160 lb white tail. But, how would it work on black bear? Elk? Other species at under 200 yd shots?   
Can’t do much about the freebore or your projectile will weigh 600 gr. Can’t get too long because the bbl doesn’t have any twist rate. Can’t ALOT of things. 

Any experience or ideas are appreciated. It’s just awkward enough that I’d like to utilize it, despite the 1 yard long barrel

50-70 was William Cody's buffalo rifle.
Custer's account of his 50-70 rolling block took every animal in the West and the most accurate rifle in camp to hear him tell it.
Probably adequate for anything in North America if one keeps the range limitations in mind.
Chuck

UpNorthCountry wrote on Apr 21^st, 2024 at 10:59am:


You have one of the best resources for a restock right in Adrian, Mi. at Johnson's Sporting Goods. Steve Durren is the gunsmith there, and does great work.

I think that you should work with the original barrel and the 515141, or maybe better, the 515142 and see how it goes. To get the 600 grain plus bullets that the faster twist would like up to the velocity of the originals will rock your socks and gain little in trajectory except at distances that you shouldn't be shooting at game. I've done both with an original trapdoor and a Higginbotham roller.

……But everywhere I’ve looked, the 50-70 is regarded as a slouch.…..
Tell that to a couple of hundred thousand Buffalo that fell to that slouch during the late 1860s through the 1870s. 

UpNorthCountry wrote on Apr 21^st, 2024 at 10:59am:

Please don't modify that old roller! It will perform beautifully. One of the joys of shooting original pieces is getting them to perform to their max ability and knowing their limitations!

I have a #5 Roller in a 50-70 and use 5744 and Re-7 powder with 450 and 500 grain bullets.  My twist is 1:26 so the heavier bullet shoots better.  I am taking it on a buffalo hunt next week and have no qualms about the ability to kill one and make the total a couple of hundred thousand and one buffalos that have been dispatched by one.  The other rifle I am taking is a Ballard Pacific in 40-85 and am shooting 3fffg with a 400 grain bullet.  It is my first choice but I have had two cases separate in the last month and it is too late to get more 9.3x74R brass in time for the hunt so I am somewhat afraid to use it as it might be a one shot and done situation if another separates. I went through with a bent paper clip to feel for potential splits and found one case that I threw away.  Anyway, don't be afraid to hunt with a 50-70 and also don't be afraid to use smokeless.  Tom

I elk hunt in Montana with my original sporting Roller in 50-70.  Accurate at 200 yards.  Use the 450 grain gg.