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Thread: help a dummy out

  1. #1
    Beekeeper
    Guest

    help a dummy out

    Does anyone know what a Rook Rifle is?
    I keep hearing people talk about them but have never seen one!

    This isn't the same as an Asperly Aimless is it


    Jim

  2. #2
    Boolit Buddy
    Join Date
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    hey beekeeper a rook rifle is a small caliber rifle that was used in europe for small game hunting around the turn of the centry before this one// least ways this is my understanding on this // they still have matches over there and here called rook matches not sure exactly of the rules but i think you shoot at small targets at different ranges kinda set up like trail fied archery i believe/// may be right on this may be wrong but best i can do
    mule

  3. #3
    In Remembrance
    montana_charlie's Avatar
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    Retired...TWICE. Now just raisin' cows and livin' on borrowed time.

  4. #4
    Boolit Master
    Bent Ramrod's Avatar
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    A rook is a European bird somewhat like our crow. Rook rifles were generally break-open, small Martini or falling-block single shots in calibers from .22 rimfire to .38 Long centerfire. They were used in England for pests (like rooks) and small game. A lot of them were converted to hot .22's or .410 shotguns in response to changing shooting fashions or tightening gun regulations, so rook rifles in the original calibers are now sought after by enthusiasts and collectors.

  5. #5
    Boolit Master

    Join Date
    Apr 2008
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    4,947
    One of us worked up some loads on an Heeled Rook Casting!
    It was fascinating to see.
    Much like our .22. The case heeled into the base.

  6. #6
    Beekeeper
    Guest
    What a cool little rifle
    Is there a following for them here in the states?

    I have often heard people talk about them but had no idea they had such a history.

    According to the article almost any 22 break open single shot would qualify.
    Some of the calibers seem strange to me today but in their hey day were great cartridges for their use .

    Thanks for all the info.
    See, I have once again improved my knowledge here on the forum.

    Jim

  7. #7
    Boolit Master
    Join Date
    Sep 2005
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    Arkansas
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    The NEF and Rossi in the pistol calibers are modern redneck replicas of a Rook Rifle.
    The man who invented the plow was not bored. He was hungry.

  8. #8
    Boolit Buddy Rockydog's Avatar
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    Apr 2009
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    Here's a pic of a nice Rook Rifle from another board. (click on it for a larger pic)

    Click image for larger version. 

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    “A wise and frugal government, which shall leave men free to regulate their own pursuits of industry and improvement, and shall not take from the mouth of labor the bread it has earned - this is the sum of good government.”

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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