1902 Remington Rolling Block

[mould]

It's nice to know that I am not the only Rolling Block nut. 30+ years ago, I found mine in a flea market. It was just the barreled action, and parts or the action were missing. Finding the parts and making it a shooter again was a long process. It was built into a 30-30 carbine. I had a venier site installed not long ago and rarely take it out of the safe. I started using cast bullets in not long ago. Lyman #311299 gas checked 200 Grains and moly lube. The accuracy is beyond belief. Those long bullets and IMR3031 are made for that gun. If you are interested in the build, I wrote a article (http://www.customriflegunsmith.net)on it.

[missionary5155]

Good morning
Bought my first Roller, a caliber .43 Spanish, in Phoenix for $175. That rifle was instrumental in teaching about boolit diameter, deep grease grooves and a smear of lube on the nose. Once that was affirmed shooting groups (not patterns) and bowling pins at 100 meters was much easier.
Mike in Peru

[Buckshot]

............Yup, I too like the Rem RB. Actually I like most any old rifle :-) My first RB was a M1897 in 7x57, or as it was known then the 7mm Spanish Mauser cartridge, and the barrel was marked 7mm SM. The rifle was in remarkably good overall condition. However the barrel showed the ravages of corrosive ammo and less then optimum care. This was in the heyday of BPCR Silhuette and lots of old Rem RB's were having barrels yanked off, and getting rebarreled. I happened to be in the right place at the right time to buy a like new original barrel for $125. I don't have a photo of that rifle, and need to take some.

http://www.fototime.com/862B8E68F782129/standard.jpg

Then I aquired the above, a Pedersoli RB in 40-65.

http://www.fototime.com/7CD7CAD02940F78/standard.jpg

Then down at the bottom of this photo is a M1879 Argentine contract RB in .43 Remington Spanish. Above it is it's bayonet. The neat thing about this photo is that all these rifles are contemporaries. Each was being used at the same time by different militaries, and all four have different actions

Top is a 1883 TD, 45-70.
2nd is a 1871 Mauser in 11mm Mauser
3rd is a Mk IV Martini Henry in 577-450
Bottom is the Rem RB

I aquired the RB kind of by mistake. There was a small gunshow taking place not too far from my home. I had not intended to go, but my wife had some errands to run and naturally wanted me to go along. I have forgotten now what we'd gone after but on the way home we passed right by the gunshow.:roll: As payback I said since we were right here lets go in. It was in one of the smaller buildings at the community center and about 2pm. I wasn't expecting much, but walking in I did a quick survey. Looking from one end to the other, and at one end I saw some long barrels sticking up and headed in that direction.

The 3 guys there were in the process of packing up, but I spied the RB immediately and asked to look at it. The price tag hanging by a string from the trigger guard had $165 written on it. I about stopped breathing! Cocking the hammer, and rolling the breech back I looked up through a gleaming barrel. I said, "I'll take it"! :drinks: Turns out the guy who owned it had taken off earlier. I didn't have the cash but did have the checkbook. Luckily while I was looking at it Donna had been chatting with one of the guys, and he knew her supervisor at work. He said he'd have no problem taking the check. While we were talking and I was writing the check, one of the other guys came up with the bayonet and said "This goes with that rifle". So it came home with me. I don't know how it survived the gunshow all that time, but I'm glad it had!

................Buckshot

[wills]

Some people have All the luck.

[frnkeore]

My gaggle of Rolling Blocks.

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/imagehosting/thum_88524ef6495166f2c.jpg (http://castboolits.gunloads.com/vbimghost.php?do=displayimg&imgid=3105)http://castboolits.gunloads.com/imagehosting/thum_88524ef6495d15377.jpg (http://castboolits.gunloads.com/vbimghost.php?do=displayimg&imgid=3106)http://castboolits.gunloads.com/imagehosting/thum_88524ef6496a03adb.jpg (http://castboolits.gunloads.com/vbimghost.php?do=displayimg&imgid=3107)

Top to bottom, 1897, 1 1/2, shot gun.

L - R, shot gun, 1 1/2, 1897.

The 1897 I had rebarreled to 45/70 by Mark DeHaas. The other two are still original.

Frank

BTW, for all that are interested, I've sent in metal from the actions of a black powder and a 1902 action, to be analized and will report back by the end of January, as to the content of the metals. Hopefully it will help answer the long time debate of how strong the rifles are.

[mroliver77]

I will be anticipating the results! I have 1902 converted with Numrich "Creedmore" kit. It is fine rifle!

One thing to note is no matter how strong they are there is no route for gas to vent if there is a case failure.
Jay

[frnkeore]

There is something that will help or cure that.

When the firing pin is in the retracted postion, drill one or more .078 holes (at 90 deg) at the juction of the firing pin body to the firing pin (with the firing pin removed of course). The gases will exit at the sides of the breech block and the vent hole/holes.

Frank

[Charlie, AKA The Deacon]

I have a Remington Rolling Block action, the action is in good shape springs seem strong. I am wanting to turn it into a 45-70 BP gun. Just waiting on the funds to get there.

Charlie