Author Topic: Rolling block ideas, help me out please! (Read 1050 times)

Graycg · « **on:** September 23, 2004, 11:32:12 AM »

Gents,
I have recently come into 2 rolling blocks, the big ones, real remington, not foreign made. One is a 20 gauge shotgun and the other is just the buttstock and action with no front end.
I'm looking for ideas on what to do with them. I can live with leaving the shotgun alone, not that I need it, but it is pretty cool. As for the buttstock one though...what to do, what to do.
To set the stage, I already have a rolling block in 45-70 with a Numrich barrel on it, also have an Argentine Carbine in 43 spanish. Now what to do with this one? I'm interested in hearing what you think and will listen to any recommendations for a good smith with fair prices to do the work.
A carbine in 33 winchester? A 40 cal? Maybe a good 35 caliber? 38-55...uh, too many choices.

Help me with some good recommendations!

regards,
graycg

ssdave · « **Reply #1 on:** September 23, 2004, 06:26:12 PM »

A lot depends on what the action is and what you want to do. Your best suggestion is the .38-55. It's appropriate for the strength of the rolling block blackpowder action. The .33 and the .405 are not safe for any rolling block if loaded to factory type pressures. I think for safety, either now or in the future when a less knowledgeable person might own the gun, it is not responsible to chamber a rifle for a cartridge that is too powerful for it, even if you load it down while you own it.

Post a description of the action, with patent dates off the tang if possible, and we can give you a better idea of the action strength.

The 35's have some historical cartridges that will work, namely the 35-30 maynard. There's a fellow on the MSN BPCR group that is hot for this cartridge now.

I personally like the .45's and .50 cartridges in the rolling block, I'm working on a .50-110 for myself now. I posted pictures on the MSN BPCR site. I have three .50 cal rolling blocks, and a .45-90.

Another fun cartridge for the rolling block is the .44-40. Another couple are the .32-20 or .25-20. If you have the #5 smokeless action, the .22 hornet, .25 hornet is appropriate.

Thing to keep in mind here is rimmed cartridge of the blackpowder era, with pressures 25,000 psi or under with case full of powder. The absolute best is to shoot only blackpowder or nonmagnum pistol cartridges. A double charge of smokeless in these rifles can be deadly, and they're dangerous with moderately loaded smokeless anyway.

dave

Graycg · « **Reply #2 on:** September 24, 2004, 11:52:50 AM »

Thanks Gents,
Please keep the suggestions coming....38-55 is a definite thought, action is way to big for little rounds like the 32-20, etc. If anyone has recommendations on folks to to the work, please also let me know.

regards,
graycg

marlinman93 · « **Reply #3 on:** September 24, 2004, 01:10:22 PM »

The .38-55 would be my first choice also, since you already have a .45-70. Another good choice is the .32-40, or the .38-40 or .44-40 cartridges. I tend to stick to cartridges that are easy and cheap to reload for. There are numerous other good choices, if money is no object.

jeff · « **Reply #4 on:** September 25, 2004, 03:59:36 PM »

Graycg

There are lots of possibilities.

I would suggest that you contact Lee Shaver and discuss the options. Lee is very well known in the BPCR arena and knows the Rolling Block very well. I think that's probably one of the most important factors. In fact, I believe that he shoots a roller in competition. It's best to use someone that really knows the action and it's limitations as well as strengths. See his web site @ http://www.egunsmith.com/

Another possibility is to voice the question over om the BPCR board, just remember those folks think black powder, not smokless. see http://groups.msn.com/BPCR/messages.msnw I'm sure that you can get some super recommendations there as well.

good luck

marlinman93 · « **Reply #5 on:** September 26, 2004, 09:58:45 AM »

You've probably gotten advice from one of the most knowledgeable Rolling Block guys around already! ssdave has more rollers and shoots more rollers than most of the rest of us put together!

Graycg · « **Reply #6 on:** September 29, 2004, 05:24:07 PM »

Thanks Gents!!!
I really appreciate the help. I'll have to do some investigating with the info you sent me. Good problem to have...more toys than you have time or money to play with!

thanks and regards,
graycg

Winter Hawk · « **Reply #7 on:** October 01, 2004, 08:19:07 AM »

Another thought is the .444 Marlin.

Back more years ago than I want to admit, I bought a RB through the mail (see? I told you it was long ago!) in .43 Egyptian. I believe it cost $7.40 + shipping. Anyway, I bought a kit from Numrich Arms in .444 which consisted of the barrel, stock and forearm, everything screwed together okay. I tied it to a tire, put a string to the trigger and fired off a number of rounds by "remote control" to make sure it wouldn't blow up. The cases looked good, no protruding primers or stretched cases. It's a dandy cartridge, especially now that there are heavier bullets available.

-Winter Hawk-

Graycg · « **Reply #8 on:** October 02, 2004, 05:30:21 AM »

Winterhawk,
Not a bad idea either, I heard of some guys using the 444 like an old express cartridge, 43 express....they use heavy cast bullets at old time velocities...like 1300-1800 fps. I think they use a faster than normal twist to keep the bullets stabilized. I already load 444 for a contender and keep the loads sane...maybe 444 is a good idea too.

thanks and regards,
graycg

Keith Lewis · « **Reply #9 on:** November 28, 2004, 06:38:41 PM »

I have what used to be a 7X57 rolling block that was rebarreled with a Badger barrel to 40-65 Winchester (Marlin). It required some rework of the extractor and a friend of mine did the work. We also bent the tang to make the rifle a pistol grip style. Fagen made a stock to fit the bent tang and the rifle was blued in Georgia and frozen in Illinois to stabilize the grain in the barrel (if that really does anything???). I love the rifle and the caliber. 40-65 brass is available and can be made from 45-70 brass with only the 40-65 dies. Shoots 2 inch groups at 200 yards most of the time if I do my part loading and holding. I shoot black powder loads and some smokeless equivalent loads. My rifle looks better than the one being sold new again. I had mine before they decided to re-release the rifle. Good luck with your decision.