What to do with this Smokeless RB Action

[TCLouis]

My problem is that I recently dug out a Remington Rolling Block Smokeless action that I have had lying around for a few years.
It just seemed like it should become a 45-70, 38-55, or maybe a plain old 30-30. I have a big heavy Octagon barreled 45-70 (Numrich Arms creation of long ago) and an 1886, so I am thinking reasonably light round barreled gun to hunt and plink and play with real boolits.

24-30 inchs

Suggestions?

Opinions (probably not any of those here at this site <LOL>)??

I guess I could also include:

357 Max
357 Herrett
35 Remington Rimmed

[redneckdan]

32-40, the old school benchrest round

[No_1]

You mentioned 38-55 which is a good one OR 375 Winchester, a little more powerful than the 38-55 and brass is available or could be formed from 30-30. 30-30 would be good since you could use pointy bullets and single shots in 45-70 are common place.

Just my .02,

Robert


My problem is that I recently dug out a Remington Rolling Block Smokeless action that I have had lying a round for a few years.
It just seemed like it should become a 45-70, 38-55, or maybe a plain old 30-30. I have a big heavy Octagon barreled 45-70 (Numrich Arms creation of long ago) so I am thinking reasonably light round barreled gun to hunt and plink and play with boolits.

Suggestions?

Opinions (probably not any of those here at this site <LOL>)??

[C1PNR]

Well, I dunna know. Sounds like you have 45-70 pretty well covered. And the 32-40, hmmm, I'd rather have that in a lever configuration (but that's just personal preference).

That old 38-55 Ballard though, it could pass for both a 200 rod target shooter, and a pretty nice game rifle, too.:)

That's a nice dilemma you have, one I'd like to have![smilie=1:

Best of luck to you whatever you choose to do!:drinks:

[Nueces]

Since you mentioned the thutty-twice, the 30-40 is also a contemporary of the action. I've done some thinking on these lines, since I also have a 1902 action. Man, it is H-A-R-D to decide! Good luck to us both. :drinks:

Mark

ps - Wolf Droege showed me his personal Sharps Wyoming Saddle Rifle at a long-ago SHOT show, caliber 30-40. He claimed an elk the previous season with it.

[Bullshop]

33 Winchester or 348 Winchester. The 33 being on the 45/70 case and simple to form would never give you any problems finding brass. 348 is limited production but available. Eather one would be a joy to hunt with and handle anything you would dare to point it at. I lean toward the 33.
BIC/BS

[NVcurmudgeon]

The .30/40 Krag was Harry Pope's choice for a walking hunting rifle. His was a Winchester single shot.

[Boz330]

40-65 or 38-55, both nice hunting or shooting rounds and not bad on recoil.

Bob

[longhorn]

My next BPCR will be a .38-55. I love the 30-40, and certainly would like a highwall in the caliber, but I think lots of 30-40 data floating around is _way_ too hot for a roller (or a Krag, for that matter).

[legend]

a man of your obvious tallent should not waste your precious time in this quandry;i am not nearly so busy,nor as tallented,and am willing to remove the off
ending article for you,so you may get on with truly important tasks at hand.

i recieve packages mon-sat (gladly)


ok,ok if i have to i will split the shipping with you.......legend

[13Echo]

I'm having a roller built in .38-50 Hepburn. That is an interesting cartridge designed for 40 rod target shooting. It actually holds a good bit more powder than a .38-55 and with a 12" twist barrel will stabilize a 360gr bullet at black powder velocities. It is getting to be a popular cartridge for mid range target and silhouette and some are using it for long range (1000yds) and it would be plenty of rifle for deer. Cases are made from .30-40 Krag. A fine cartridge and just a bit out of the ordinary, just what you need.

Jerry Liles

[hiram]

I have the same action. I live in Staten Island. When I went to Disneyworld with the family, I made a side trip to a recommended gunsmith in Lakeland. I brought the action, Lee Shaver/Pedersoli converted soule sight, lyman 17a front sight (lowest height model I could get), and the wood. I told him I wanted the Douglas 28" premium barrel, 45-70, he also milled 3 flat spots on the receiver. Barrel was a HEAVY contour but I don't remember the number--might have been a 5 or 5A, not sure. He did a superb job as far as I am concerned. I won the club championship this past Dec. 06. I also told him I wanted the rifle to be 12# if possible.

[MtGun44]

I know this is really weird - how about a 7x57? [smilie=1:

My 1902 7mm RB is a favorite and I always wince a bit when I
hear of the smokeless actions going for BP cartridge remakes.
What a waste of a rimless extractor and (somewhat) better steel.

Of course, it's yours and you are free to do what you wish --

but you did ask! :-D

Bill

[357maximum]

hmmmmmm.....If I had your quandry...I would read my handle and quit thinkin...I would love a mid to light weight roller in the max, so if you make it and do not like it the 357maximum Memorial Woodswalking Club would take it as a donation, tell you tax people i told you it was tax deductible, as a charitable donation, I'll even print you up a reciept as proof[smilie=1: .....:-D

Good luck with your decision.....such decisions caan drive a man quite looney....

[Frank46]

Jeeze, I wish I had your problem. I could say send it to me and I'll take very good care of it. All kidding aside the 30-40 krag cartridge would seem just right to me. With Lyman's #311284 or 314299 at 200 plug grains would make a good combination. I believe that they were made in 303 british as well. And with the lower pressure's brass would last a long time. Half octagon half round bbl would look nice with shotgun type buttstock. Frank

[Bullshop]

Hay I just rememberd I have stashed somewhere a heavy round barrel chamberd for the 219 Donaldson wasp. When I got it was fit to a #5 smokless action. I used the action to build a 38/55 long range. What a nice action too, it was remade into a bent tang sporter just like the origonals. Lots of metal removed, even has the flat top receiver. It was very well done but I never even shot it as a wasp. Prolly should have. Anyway I still have the barrel.
BIC/BS

[Char-Gar]

I just want to add my vote for a 30-40!

[mazo kid]

Want something fairly unique, yet easy to load?? How about 40-50 SBN?? Brass is easily made from 45-70, reloading dies are available and there are a lot of 40 cal. molds available. I still have my FBW action/Hoch barreled rifle, sold my Shiloh to a buddy, both in the 40-50 SBN cal. Emery

[45nut]

I had a 357 Max built with my RB action. I like it .

[fiberoptik]

NOprnoprnoprnoprnorp
.35-30. Brass almost free, takes .357 pistol boolits 4 rabid squirrels & catz. Best of them all.:Fire: :drinks:

[threett1]

Have the same action to do somethin with. Lots of good suggestions. I was thinking 40/65, 38/55 or maybe even 50/70 for mine. Keep those ideas rolling.:mrgreen:

[Four Fingers of Death]

40-65 or 38-55, both nice hunting or shooting rounds and not bad on recoil.

Bob

This guys been reading the mail! That's precisely what I was going to suggest. :D
Mick.

PS, a 30 Krag or a 303 Brit would be nice as well.

[dragonrider]

I would say 30-40, even though I havve no experience with that caliber but some day I hope to. One day, hopefully soon, I will be making a new barrel for my TCR 87 and want to do it in 35-303 if I can find a reamer.

[DLCTEX]

My vote would be 38-55, I handled one(H&R) at Gander Mountain recently and salivated all over it. I want, I want it ,I want it! :drinks: Dale

[Larry Gibson]

If it were me and I was building a "walking rifle", obviously for cast bullet shooting, I'd get a 27-28" Palma barrel with 1-14" twist and chamber it in 30-30. Componants and a bajillion different moulds readily available. Great for shooting, superb for plinking and obviously very good for deer. The only other option for me would be a 35-30 with 26" barrel 1-16" twist. Obviously just about as many options as the .30-30.

I've a #3 Ruger in .22 Hornet that is shot out (hard to believe isn't it!) and am seriously thinking about a rebore to one of the above for a walking rifle. Any one know who is good at reboringing and rifling?

Caveat for both; I'd specify a tighter and shorter neck than SAAMI specs. Chamber neck diameter would be .332" and neck length would be .45" to fit most new case necks with perhaps minimal trimming.

Larry Gibson