shooting line box

[rfd]

i've been putting this off for too long, and this is a good time of the year for rifle related projects. the simple line box is created out of one 3/4" x 9-3/4" x 72" knotty pine board from home depot ($15). i used every inch of it, there was no waste. also bought a 5/8" x 24" oak dowel ($1.80) for the handle. the rest of the materials - 2" dry wall screws, titebond glue, 1/4" dowel (for the screw plugs), leather strips for the gun cradle, stain and clear coat - i had on hand. the dimensions are 21" long x 9-3/4" wide x 12" high. one side of the box is lower at 3-1/2" high for ease of getting to the cartidges, while the other side is 5-1/2" high.

and doggone if the loading block i built last year seems to miraculously be a perfect fit inside the box.

i notched the uprights on either side of the gun cradle to accept cleaning rods. i did a rough sketch and then just winged it on the table and jig saws. looks like it's gonna work just fine come the spring thaw. i hate the winter.

[georgerkahn]

Quite the innovative, efficient, and well-made project! I really like the leather strips, too! Again, nice job and kudos!
BEST!
georgerkahn

[RED333]

Very good for just winging it with the saws.

[reed1911]

I tell you what, with your talent you could make 20 of those and sell them for 100.00 a piece and sell out right quick at any gun show around here.

[Pb2au]

Do you think it would fit a Pedersoli Remington rolling block Creedmore? If you are not sure, just send it to my house and I will check it for you. I should be able to get it back to you in around 40 or 50 years at the latest....
Very cool, love the design!

[SSGOldfart]

Nice work this is the makes this site the best thanks for the ideal

[nekshot]

nice and neat design. I will drooooool looking at the gun!

[hunter64]

Rfd - nice work, gave me some ideas. I noticed on your sharps you have a lace on recoil pad. I have been looking for something like that for a while. What kind is it?

[Vinne]

WOW!!! The best I can do is get mine out of a store.

[rfd]

thanx for all yer kind comments. it's just a simple box, nothing fancy. i rushed just to get it done, and didn't spend any more time than needed. i can do lots better, but didn't care - it's just a working line box, it's gonna get the krap beat out of it. i didn't need to peg the side screws, but what the heck, i had the dowels and it went fast. though pine is a softwood that doesn't have the grandeur of a hardwood like walnut or oak, it's plenty strong and quite serviceable. and lots cheaper. one of my buds was skeptical of the 5/8" oak dowel handle, so i loaded the box with 35# of lead, stuck the 11.5# sharps in the cradle and lifted it off the floor with no ill effects to that dowel. the box can be used righty or lefty, too.

the recoil pad is a "kick killer" and does a wonderful job of softening the blow of a stout trap door load. for lighter loads, it feels at best like a 22rf magnum. inside the leather boot is an "akton" gel pad that absorbs the recoil to a great degree. i can, and have, fired off more than a hundred rounds in one day at the range with no ill effects on my all-too weak shootin' shoulder. both of my .45-70's have kick killers, love 'em, gotta have 'em.

the replica 1874 sharps rifle is #58 of 500 made by chiappa/armi sport for cimmaron firearms in texas. i've had my doubts about those eye-talian firearms, but like my pedersoli, this one is quite well built, good metal and wood, a fine shooter, and a solid bang for the buck at $1050/delivered. just spent $990 on new lee shaver soule/hadley tang peeps and aperture globes for both rifles. more buck$ well spent. can't wait for spring and the long range matches.