My Rifle Action

[45stomp]

Some guys wanted more info about the action I built. This one is the most recent and best IMHO.
Caliber is 45-70, and I consider it a safe action with trapdoor and low end marlin level loads. I have tested it MUCH hotter, but for the sake of prudence, I limit loads to 28,000 PSI or so.

This rifle has taken 4 deer and a mountain goat in the last 2 seasons, as well as a bunch of grouse using a Hammond game getter small game adapter. It has also batted cleanup on a couple of poorly hit moose that hunting clients shot.(I am a part time hunting guide)


I wanted to show the new extractor and retainer, as well as some of the features.

The Lever, link, and breech block assembly can be dropped from the bottom of the receiver for cleaning by loosening the setscrew(red arrow) and removing the lever pin.



The setscrew holds the lever pin in place by seating in the groove. (Red arrow)

The Blue arrow is pointing to the extractor actuating stud.

[M-Tecs]

I like your design.

[45stomp]

This image shows the extractor retaining spring(#1)attached to the forend mounting block(#2) and you can see the extractor peeking out of the front of the receiver.(red arrow)
Blue arrow shows the slot in the end of the extractor retaining spring to clear the actuator stud.




Extractor. Notice the hole for the actuator stud to engage the extractor is slightly oval. That is for timing so the extractor reaches max extension just as the breech block reaches it's lowest position.

[45stomp]

The extractor simply slides on a flat surface below the receiver ring, and is held in place by the titanium retainer spring.......I didn't need to use titanium, but I had it handy.

You can see the wall of the receiver (Red arrows) The breech block is 1" diameter, and the absolute minimum wall thickness I would use would be .100" Anything over .200" would be overkill. These are quite thin and measure approx .140" I started with 1.5" thick 4140 prehard. If I started with 1.25" and hit dead center perfectly with the breech block hole, I would have been left with .125" thick sides. Adequate, but not much room for error in machining.

[img]http://i.imgur.com/CR3ppIE.jpg[img]

[oldred]

Ok now ya dunnit, keep going!

[45stomp]

Last pic goofed up and can't seem to edit??

[45stomp]

this pic show the link which connects the breech block to the lever (red#1)
Blue arrow shows the hold close plunger which is spring loaded, and it's retaining pin(red arrow).
Green arrow shows the seat that controls the closed position of the lever and breech block.

[45stomp]

Hold closed plunger engages with the roll pin(red arrow) when breech block is in closed position. Note slot in roll pin is oriented toward the rear so the plunger rides on the smooth side of the pin.

Blue arrow shows the seat on lower tang where the corresponding lever seat contacts to stop the lever and breechblock in correct position for firing.

Damascus trigger was just because I could, and it looks really cool

[Reg]

What am I missing here ? Not seeing any pics >>>

Now they are there ??????

Must be slipping !!

[45stomp]

buttstock removed showing upper and lower tangs, hammer, mainspring, and related components.

Many surfaces are still pretty rough, as I have not finished the engraving yet. I had to hunt with it, so fancy stuff needed to wait. Hopefully will finish that in the next couple months.

Hammer pin is held in place by a setscrew like the lever pin, but access to the setscrew is from the rear of the action under the butt stock.

Lower tang is slotted to contain the hammer, and held in place by the hammer pin, and roll pin.



I am happy to answer any questions if there is anything unclear as to the function of various components.
This action is my own design, with design features shamelessly stolen from many other actions It is not patented, and anyone who so wishes can make their own version if they want to. It is simple and relatively easy to build, strong enough to contain moderately powerful cartridges, and accurate. If you happen to be the sort to blame others for your misfortune or mistakes, DO NOT build one of these. If you blow your dang fool head off I will not be held accountable. Metalworking, reloading, shooting, and otherwise getting out of bed in the morning can be dangerous to your health. Live life at your own risk!

[45stomp]

What am I missing here ? Not seeing any pics >>>

Not sure. They are showing up for me.

Darcy

[M-Tecs]

They show up for me also.

[tbx-4]

45stomp,
Can you show us the complete rifle?

[45stomp]

[roadie]

Ok now ya dunnit, keep going!

I'll second that, this is great stuff. Is the hammer placed at halfcock to open the action?

Are plans available for this action?

[45stomp]

I'll second that, this is great stuff. Is the hammer placed at halfcock to open the action?

Are plans available for this action?

Yes, half cock to open. Full cock to load/unload, as the hammer is centrally located, and in the way of the loading port otherwise.

There is a drawing out there that I did of the second version, which had a more complicated method of holding the action closed, and a different style extractor. Someone made computer animated drawings of that action, but it is not entirely correct. The breech block is not 90* to the bore with my action, but drops back at about 5* slant to add some camming power to seat cartridges in the chamber.

I do not provide plans, but am hoping to get time to draw up a scale schematic of this one in the near future.

None of the dimensions are really critical as you build each part to work and function as you progress......a change in lever pin location, for example, will change the swing of the lever, and at the same time, the leverage available to the extractor etc. But as long as you account for that change with the next piece it will make very little difference to the end result.
The most tricky is the hammer geometry. It needs to drop away enough to get a cartridge in the chamber, but too much and it makes for difficult fitting inside the tangs. Plus the location of the hammer strut where it contacts the back of the hammer will change things. I will try to show some of that as time allows.

Cheers,
Darcy

[nekshot]

You are a man after my own heart! I appreciate what you have done because I have been doing the same style single shot but yours is more simple and better. I appreciate your sharing pics but I have chosen to keep quite about some of my life. What is your action weight or did I miss that. I have a penchant for getting on the heavy side. Thank God for DeHaas and his drawings to help motivate many of us that we can do this in our shops!

[Der Gebirgsjager]

Beautiful workmanship. Very impressive.

[Blackwater]

That's just awesome, Stomp! You're a VERY talented man! Love your design. And that engraving is really great, too. Love deep relief style on that gun. Just seems to fit, and the lines flow like a clear mountain stream. Elegant and just plain PURDY!!! Thanks for posting all this, and taking time to show us your handiwork. I've never had the time or machinery to do what you've done, but have been a bit Walter Mitty about giving it a go one day. Now, it looks like that day isn't likely. But I sure do get a big thrill from seeing others do it. That is truly a FULL CUSTOM rifle, in EVERY sense of the word! Great wood, great lines .... how could anyone NOT love that rifle!

[Wolfer]

I don't know how to put into word what I think about this. To say that I'm impressed would be an understatement!