Reloading EverythingLoad DataMidSouth Shooters SupplySnyders Jerky
RepackboxLee PrecisionTitan ReloadingWideners
RotoMetals2 Inline Fabrication
Results 1 to 9 of 9

Thread: Soper Direct Action Breech Loader

  1. #1
    Boolit Master
    am44mag's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2017
    Location
    NE Texas/SE Oklahoma
    Posts
    757

    Soper Direct Action Breech Loader

    This is probably the coolest, most interesting single shot I have ever seen. I really wish someone made one of these today. 60 rounds in 60 seconds? Holy cow!

    ______________________________________________
    Aaron

  2. #2
    Boolit Master trails4u's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2013
    Location
    Upstate, SC
    Posts
    1,367
    Well, dang Aaron. Thanks. Yet ANOTHER rifle I have to have but cannot afford.
    "Do not follow where the path might lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail" Ralph Waldo Emerson

  3. #3
    Boolit Grand Master Tatume's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2010
    Location
    VA
    Posts
    5,583
    Agree that this is a really cool design.

  4. #4
    Boolit Man
    Join Date
    Apr 2011
    Location
    Massachusetts, South Shore
    Posts
    94
    There so many great gizmo gun designs from that period. This one has a lot going for it but looks like you would need to load with your left hand for fastest results.

  5. #5
    Boolit Master

    Join Date
    Jan 2010
    Location
    East Tn
    Posts
    3,785
    I suppose that is a cartridge gun, I think the guy even mentions an extractor (I think he did anyway???) but look at the breech block when it's opened. Doesn't that look like a cap nipple protruding from it?

    No matter, that's an extremely interesting design and one I have never seen before. Also interesting that such complicated designs originated before the much simpler ones that actually made it into production. The level of workmanship is also awesome considering the era, we take complex designs and parts for granted today but can you just imagine the craftsmanship that was required back then considering what they DIDN'T have to work with?

    :EDIT: After watching that again I can see the firing pin now, what at first appeared to me to be a cap nipple is apparently a retainer for the firing pin and has the pin sticking out the end of it.
    Last edited by oldred; 06-28-2018 at 03:21 PM.
    Statistics show that criminals commit fewer crimes after they have been shot

  6. #6
    Boolit Master
    Join Date
    Nov 2017
    Location
    brisbane ,qld,australia
    Posts
    2,144
    In the 1860s Soper was a foreman at Enfield RSAF.......in tests a squad with Soper rifles(not that type) outshot a squad with Sniders by about 5 to 1.......but they were the factory testers against army regulars.........Ive also seen a Soper design for a more conventional falling block,with the striker mechanism in front of the block,firing via a rocking arm in the very thin block.

  7. #7
    Boolit Bub
    Join Date
    Feb 2013
    Posts
    39
    Here is one picture from the ASSRA page

    And more information in the link:
    https://www.assra.com/cgi-bin/yabb/Y...20938034/21#21

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	Soper1.jpg 
Views:	38 
Size:	94.0 KB 
ID:	222846

    BR/ BP Sweden

  8. #8
    Boolit Buddy
    Join Date
    Nov 2010
    Location
    australia
    Posts
    294
    60 rds per minute!
    i don't think so.
    keep safe,
    bruce.

  9. #9
    Boolit Master
    Join Date
    Nov 2017
    Location
    brisbane ,qld,australia
    Posts
    2,144
    Soper assault rifle!

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  
Abbreviations used in Reloading

BP Bronze Point IMR Improved Military Rifle PTD Pointed
BR Bench Rest M Magnum RN Round Nose
BT Boat Tail PL Power-Lokt SP Soft Point
C Compressed Charge PR Primer SPCL Soft Point "Core-Lokt"
HP Hollow Point PSPCL Pointed Soft Point "Core Lokt" C.O.L. Cartridge Overall Length
PSP Pointed Soft Point Spz Spitzer Point SBT Spitzer Boat Tail
LRN Lead Round Nose LWC Lead Wad Cutter LSWC Lead Semi Wad Cutter
GC Gas Check