Just curious — if I were to buy something like this and want to have it rebarreled/stocked in 38-55 for my wife, where are there any gunsmiths that could do this and ballpark cost. It’s really rough…..
https://www.gunbroker.com/item/923795632
Art
Just curious — if I were to buy something like this and want to have it rebarreled/stocked in 38-55 for my wife, where are there any gunsmiths that could do this and ballpark cost. It’s really rough…..
https://www.gunbroker.com/item/923795632
Art
”Only accurate rifles are interesting”
——Townsend Whelen
In a time of universal deceit , telling the truth is a revolutionary act
—- George Orwell
I'd keep looking for another rifle that thing has been built from spare parts. Its a #1 action with #5 wood on it and something looks off about the hammer and breach block.
Seems like a really good price for a RB. Considering their age it isn't in that bad of condition. Were I not an honorable man, I would say "Thank You" and buy it. But, with 8 days to go on the auction I doubt if the price will remain that favorable. I'd buy the missing nose cap, clean it up, and use it as-is. The .43 Spanish is a fun cartridge to reload and shoot.
But, I sort of have to wonder about it being a possible choice for your wife, no matter what it would be re-barreled to. They're sort of hard to cock for some ladies, and no repeat shot. Maybe unimportant if for range use, but not so good for hunting.
DG
I've had that one on my watch list since it was first listed. I'm pretty sure it won't be anywhere near 149 when it closes. I agree with Hawkeye in that it is probably a mismatch of parts. But, you and I aren't looking for a collectable quality gun and I think it would be fine for either of us.
My limited experience with RB's however tells me that unless you can do a great deal of the work yourself, tuning one of these into a rebarreld and restocked sporter is costly and often times is cheaper to buy one that has already been converted or a commercial one such as a Pedersoli. But I like to tinker with them.
Thanks for all the answers guys!
Art
”Only accurate rifles are interesting”
——Townsend Whelen
In a time of universal deceit , telling the truth is a revolutionary act
—- George Orwell
Barrel over $400 from Green Mountain
Has to have large enough dim for Rolling Block action
Gunsmith to fit and chamber $350
new stock $250
Fit and finish stock $300
Polish and blue$250
Sights
New extractor
New buttplate
It adds up and gets expensive
Plus the rifle and shipping and taxes
I'd suggest maybe contacting Bobbie Hoyt about a barrel. He makes his own, so no problem getting something that works perfectly. Extractor will need to be reworked, since the 38-55 rim is much smaller than the .43 Spanish.
It would be hard to go wrong with Treebone Carving wood. Figure about 4 bills for the wood, something similar for the barrel/extractor work.
If you are going to make it into a nice sporter, learn to drawfile and polish, then detail the action before the rebarrel. I'd just rust blue it, but rust browning has a nice vintage look to it as well, and you don't have to boil after each coat. Just an idea.
https://simpsonltd.com/search-result...=Rolling+block
These folks always have a decent number of rolling blocks to choose from. Might even find something suitable as is?
I agree with Alasgun, great place to look. The Swedish "Sporters" in 8x58Rd are nice lightweight rolling blocks. Factory ammo and brass are difficult if not impossible to find and 8x58Rd dies are expensive, but you don't need any of that to load ammo for it. Loads of info on the web about the 8mm round.
The rifle prices have gone up in the last year, like everything else, and CC fees and taxes have been added but I think you could still get a decent shooter for $500 or so TYD. A bit of advice however, when the salesman has the rifle in hand ask a lot of questions, does it function as it should? extractor present? how's the bore? etc. I don't think the salesmen are the ones who write the info on the web. One last piece of advice, if you see something on their site that you think you like, don't wait as the reasonably priced better ones go quickly.
I would either contact Crossnos or DZ arms. I have had great work done by both. Crossnos are maybe a bit more roller friendly. They have one of mine now doing a trigger job on it. As stated above it's going to be expensive but you already know that i'm sure. Make sure whether it's a cast frame or milled steel. the cast ones should only be used for black powder. Bob
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 |