Author Topic: Custom falling block (Read 4307 times)

rocky_taco · « **on:** July 17, 2009, 01:13:42 PM »

What custom falling block actions are available? I saw one a few years back and they seem to have gone out of business as the link I had no longer works. I'd like to build a scoped rifle that is more business than looks. I don't really care about any engraving or fancy stuff. Thanks

Frank46 · « **Reply #1 on:** July 18, 2009, 05:14:30 PM »

Well you could start with either a ruger #1 or #3 and have just about anything caliber wise that you could wish for. Then there are the new made 1885 winchester high walls in various calibers. Large martini actioned rifles based on the origional martini henry actions. Or peabody side hammer single shot rifles. Frank

gunnut69 · « **Reply #2 on:** July 19, 2009, 07:36:26 AM »

There were a series of action recreations produced under the eagis of a teacher at the Colorado School of Trades gunsmithing school(

?). You might try contacting them. I remember a list of proposed actions to be recreated..and believe they started with the farqhuason(sp.) but at my age memory is an unstable thing..

mcwoodduck · « **Reply #3 on:** July 19, 2009, 08:33:20 AM »

As Frank said the Ruger No. 1 or No.3 there is also the Dakota actions that are similar to the No. 3. Also any of the Sharps falling block reproductions. The T/C Encore action can do everything from .17 to 416 Rigby. There are also the Martini actions. there are whole guns that have not been cleaned up by Atlanta cutlery.
From what I can tell about the difference between the No. 1 and the No. 3 is the No. 3 has an ejector.
when I was watching the American Rifleman TV show the other day they were showing the No.1 S in 9.3X72R and the guy shooting said that the No. 1 did not have an ejector but only an extractor.
My No.3 has an adjustable ejector. And if you are looking for a gun that will get the hot 45-70 loads out of the gun. the No. 3 is your answer. I thought the No. 3 was a modified No.1 to use with a strait wrist stock and made as a carbine. I am headed to Rugers sight to see what they say about the No. 1.

When you said you want it to be more work gun than pretty. What do you want to build? (Caliber and Use) Some of the actions may bot be strong enough or may be
While as pretty as orthapedic shoes the H&R Handi may full your need or want. Heck for the price of a Custom rifle you could have a whole stable of Handi guns depending on your taste in optics or sights.

Drugstore Cowboy · « **Reply #4 on:** July 19, 2009, 03:38:57 PM »

This isn't so custom but I have an 1885 in 30-06 that I would like to rebore/rechamber to 9.3x62. Thats alot of gun to hunt deer, however, I would be ready if a Cape Buffalo appeared in Michigan. Simply prefer a heavy bullit at a moderate speed.

Frank46 · « **Reply #5 on:** July 19, 2009, 04:29:47 PM »

Rocky, if you could give us an idea of what caliber you had in mind, then i'm sure that anyone of us could come up with a reasonable suggestion as to what action or complete rifle to help you out. There are many single shot rifles and actions both origional and modern made that might fill the bill. Of course some of the origional actions do have their limitations both in design and what they were made out of. Frank

Hank08 · « **Reply #6 on:** July 22, 2009, 04:57:13 AM »

Mcwoodduck, the #1 and the #3 have the same adjustable ejector/extractor. The 9.3x72 you spoke of apparently had the ejector adjusted out. That adjustment is a nice feature.
H08

mcwoodduck · « **Reply #7 on:** July 22, 2009, 01:51:58 PM »

When I said I was headed to the website I did and saw that.
You would think the AMERICAN RIFLEMAN guy would the features of the rifle he was shooting.

gypsyman · « **Reply #8 on:** July 23, 2009, 02:52:28 AM »

rocky_taco, there are 2 manufacturer's I can think of. If you google up EABCO, you'll get to the E.Arthur Brown web site. I own 3 of his custom single shot's. 2 pistols, and one rifle. The other, is MOA Corp. I typed in MOA pistols, and got his web site. It's operated by Dick Mertz. Makes a fine single shot action. Both were extremely popular in IHMSA compitition years ago. Their both in business, as I just checked. gypsyman

Drugstore Cowboy · « **Reply #9 on:** July 24, 2009, 09:21:37 AM »

http://www.ballardarms.com/light_hunter.shtml

I'll never have enough money for one of these, but they are nice.

Drugstore Cowboy · « **Reply #10 on:** July 24, 2009, 04:37:27 PM »

So what I did do is purchase a Thompson G2 and have MGM make a 30/40 Krag barrel. The gun is light easy to carry with a cartridge good for 200 yards. Has a 2x7 Nikon on it. All the gun I need in my neck of the woods. Because I am shooting factory ammo I don't expect wienie wienie groups.

wganz · « **Reply #11 on:** July 25, 2009, 03:34:12 PM »

Met the owner of this shop here in Dallas and handle the rifle at a gun show. I've never been so taken by the look and feel of a rifle until I picked up this one.

This rifle was designed to have most of the parts being commonly available(i.e. the hammer spring can be substituted from a rat trap) all screw sizes are common thread/lengths found in hardware store.

If I was limited to one rifle, it would be one of these.
http://www.fenriswolfarms.com/

pastorp · « **Reply #12 on:** July 26, 2009, 05:33:01 AM »

wganz,

Interesting rifle. Switch barrells are becoming more popular the most common being the TC & handys. However they lack class. The rifle you showed us definately has class.

How expensive are they?

Regards,

wganz · « **Reply #13 on:** July 26, 2009, 04:17:38 PM »

Checked the price several years ago. To my best recollection, they start ~$1,100 and go up from there.

IMO, it is worth every penny of it. It is a hand built rifle by craftsmen who are riflemen for other riflemen.

The owner had his apprentice there. He watched me pick up the rifle. I noticed him and commented on how I liked it. He replied that watching the expressions on people's faces when they picked up the rifle for the first time was the best part of his job and made all the hours that he worked on them worthwhile. Now, where are you going to find that on an assembly line manned by union workers punching a clock?

rocky_taco · « **Reply #14 on:** July 30, 2009, 01:46:01 PM »

Quote from: Frank46 on July 19, 2009, 04:29:47 PM

Rocky, if you could give us an idea of what caliber you had in mind, then i'm sure that anyone of us could come up with a reasonable suggestion as to what action or complete rifle to help you out. There are many single shot rifles and actions both origional and modern made that might fill the bill. Of course some of the origional actions do have their limitations both in design and what they were made out of. Frank

I'm interested in something in the 6.0mm to 7.0mm range to start. Maybe a 22LR and more of a varmint caliber in the future.

This is the link I had that doesn't work anymore.
www.rifleaction.com
Its been a bit since I've been there. But, it seems like it was a SS falling block.
The http://www.fenriswolfarms.com/ that was posted looks to be a nice rifle though.

Thanks,

rocky_taco · « **Reply #15 on:** July 30, 2009, 01:49:59 PM »

Oh, I found something else on the rifleaction.com link that doesn't work any more. Waffenfabrik Hein is the title of the link in my favorites. I assume that is the company name. But searching for this hasn't found anything for me.

driftmaster · « **Reply #16 on:** October 08, 2009, 01:03:44 PM »

Gunnut 69, i went to the CO School of Trades, grad '76, Gunsmithing. We worked on some single shot actions, Riedhl( sp) nice actions as well as i remember, how long ago were they working on SS actions and do you know who the Instructor was?

fish7x57 · « **Reply #17 on:** October 09, 2009, 02:06:54 PM »

Martini and Hagn would be near the top of my list were I to look for a "lottery gun". http://www.martiniandhagngunmakers.com/singleshots.htm

Butch Searcy would be on my to interview list. I'd really like to have one of his doubles, but his single is on par with the best. http://www.searcyent.com/new_stalking.htm

Fun to dream.

jeff · « **Reply #18 on:** November 27, 2009, 10:04:50 AM »

Rocky

Have you looked at singleshotrifles.com ?

oldrifter · « **Reply #19 on:** November 27, 2009, 02:15:17 PM »

I have a Falling block works , action i ran across at a gunshow , it is now a 45-70 with a straight english style stock on it. I am going to lighteen the barrel more than I did when I built it and make it easier for old folks to carry.
They are worth looking for.
oldrifter
<><

Frank46 · « **Reply #20 on:** November 27, 2009, 05:34:10 PM »

Actually I seem to remember a post on the assra.com site that the falling blocks works were back in production. I liked the Fenris rifle. Could have one caliber for hunting and another for cast bullets. Frank

StrawHat · « **Reply #21 on:** November 28, 2009, 01:20:58 AM »

Quote from: Frank46 on November 27, 2009, 05:34:10 PM

Actually I seem to remember a post on the assra.com site that the falling blocks works were back in production. I liked the Fenris rifle. Could have one caliber for hunting and another for cast bullets. Frank

frank,

Some of us use the same cartridge for both. I recommend starting around 35 caliber and go up from there. I load my 405 WCF with cast and use it for hunting. My 45-70 and 50-70 are all serious hunting and cast bullet rifles.

Frank46 · « **Reply #22 on:** November 28, 2009, 05:13:23 PM »

Strawhat, good idea. but variety is the spice of life. However one could use the 38-55 for hunting and the 32-40 as a target cartridge. Would not have to change out the extractor each time you swapped cartridges. Frank

dangerranger · « **Reply #23 on:** December 21, 2009, 11:47:17 PM »

IMA has a large shipment of Martini Henry rifles. Im thinking of building one into a bufaloe gun. I think tho Ill be changing the caliber to something more comon. the ammo for the 577/450 is running $130 for 20 rds! DR

the jigger · « **Reply #24 on:** December 22, 2009, 04:50:51 AM »

Your function over beauty comment makes me think that the Ruger #3 is the action you are looking for. There is probably a level of prejudice in my thinking since the #3 is what I used for my Custom Falling Block. I used a #3 in 223 as a donor; a Douglas XX air guaged #8 taper barrel cut to 24"; a Kepplinger single-set trigger; and a Wenig laminated stock set. My gunsmith chambered it in 250/3000 Ackley Improved. He was so pleased with the rifle when we finished it, he built the same rifle for himself. Doing much of the prep and finish work saved me some money.
Both rifles are devastating prairie-dog shooters out to 400yds.(wind permitting).
#3's still show up on the auction sites from time to time, the 223 being the least desirable for collectors.
GOOD LUCK and GOOD SHOOTING!!!

Bigboar · « **Reply #25 on:** April 18, 2010, 03:04:31 PM »

Quote from: StrawHat on November 28, 2009, 01:20:58 AM

Quote from: Frank46 on November 27, 2009, 05:34:10 PM
Actually I seem to remember a post on the assra.com site that the falling blocks works were back in production. I liked the Fenris rifle. Could have one caliber for hunting and another for cast bullets. Frank

frank,

Some of us use the same cartridge for both. I recommend starting around 35 caliber and go up from there. I load my 405 WCF with cast and use it for hunting. My 45-70 and 50-70 are all serious hunting and cast bullet rifles.

Frank,

What cast bullets have you found for the 405 WCF and if you'll part with some loads that would be great.

Thanks,

bigboar

Frank46 · « **Reply #26 on:** April 18, 2010, 06:16:22 PM »

Bigboar, sorry to get back to you as I just saw this post again. I do not have a 405 winchester. The only 1895 I have is a src in 30-40 krag. Lotta fun to shoot cast bullets in. Frank

Rangr44 · « **Reply #27 on:** April 19, 2010, 04:20:02 PM »

That Fenris looks might nice

.

StrawHat · « **Reply #28 on:** April 26, 2010, 03:03:05 AM »

Quote from: Bigboar on April 18, 2010, 03:04:31 PM

Quote from: StrawHat on November 28, 2009, 01:20:58 AM
Quote from: Frank46 on November 27, 2009, 05:34:10 PM
Actually I seem to remember a post on the assra.com site that the falling blocks works were back in production. I liked the Fenris rifle. Could have one caliber for hunting and another for cast bullets. Frank

frank,

Some of us use the same cartridge for both. I recommend starting around 35 caliber and go up from there. I load my 405 WCF with cast and use it for hunting. My 45-70 and 50-70 are all serious hunting and cast bullet rifles.

Frank,

What cast bullets have you found for the 405 WCF and if you'll part with some loads that would be great.

Thanks,

bigboar

Frank,

I use the Lyman 412236 cast with a 30-1 alloy. The bullet weighs +/- 295 grains. I load this over 28 grains of 5477 and am pleased with the results. I don't have a chronograph so I can not give those details. I have shot targets out to 200 yards and plink out as far as I can see with the ghost ring sight. No slouch in the accuracy area. I have hunted with that load also.

Another fellow uses 40 grains of 3031 with the same bullet for about 1500 fps and good accuracy.

The mold is going to get converted to hollow point so I will have that option available to use. I am currently trying that bullet with a paper patch but not to persue more velocity, just to keep the lead away from the bore.

I am aware of some fellows using a 350 grain bullet but I stay with the origianl bullet designed for the 405.