Falling Block vs Brake Open Actions

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Why are there common responses to falling block actions being stronger than the break open action?
If this is true, why are there a multitude of big bore double rifles manufactured in the brake action?
Not only the common big bore cartridges manufactured in the double, but the really big bores, such as the 2 and 4 bore are made with the break action.
Even the 10 gauge is made on the brake action.
 
The design of a true falling block offers superior strength over common break actions. The big bore african cartridges are usually lower pressured rounds.
Theres no reason a break action cant be made strong enough for high pressured rounds with high bolt trust but they are not common
 
There are very strong kipplauffs that use a tilting block mechanism. K95 etc

You can get them in 7mm rm and other high pressure cartridges. One of the big German makers does one in 300 wby if I remember right.

These guns are lighter than falling blocks, take down and very slim in profile. I wish we had more access to older ones in Canada, new models are very expensive
 
jamesharrison said:
Because traditional big bore cartridges (including .600 N.E., .700 N.E., 2 bore, 4 bore, 8 bore, &c.) are loaded to quite low pressures (~18.5 Long Tons psi = 41,440 psi), whereas cartridges routinely chambered in falling block actions produce pressures ~65,000 psi (22-250, 6mm Remington, .270 Winchester, .300 RCM, .300 Weatherby, &c.

Ref:
http://kwk.us/pressures.html
http://www.lasc.us/SAAMIMaxPressure.htm
https://saami.org/
https://www.cip-bobp.org/en
Click to expand...

Thanks for the information, interesting.
 
conor_90 said:
There are very strong kipplauffs that use a tilting block mechanism. K95 etc

You can get them in 7mm rm and other high pressure cartridges. One of the big German makers does one in 300 wby if I remember right.

These guns are lighter than falling blocks, take down and very slim in profile. I wish we had more access to older ones in Canada, new models are very expensive
Click to expand...

Yes, I'm aware of the tilting block system which adds extra strength to the lock. It's the Blaser K95 which is chambered in the 300 Wby. Mag. along with other magnum cartridges and high pressure standard cartridges as well. Like you mentioned, they are very light in weight, which equals more felt recoil, however in a standard chambering, it would be comfortable to shoot.
That's the problem in Canada, we have no access within our country to purchase the older European firearms. A person must shop overseas, or at least in the USA to locate those lovely gems. However, I did get lucky and purchased a Kipplauff. I've been eyeing this rifle for years locally, and finally it's in my possession, built in Ferlach, Austria. I'm only going to load it from the minimal to medium powder charges.
 
Very nice track! Any pictures or more info?

I hate looking at northern and central euro used gun sites and forums. Their version of a beat up old rifle is something else.

Probably a pretty small market here. The Haneal jagers may have been a one time thing...

I had a “BRNO K1” from a non CZ manufacturer; full stock and shot very well. 243 win and rounds would not extract, super annoying. Probably the only “ cheap” euro style hinge gun on the market and it does not take down without tools and is hard to find.

I often wonder why that style of gun hasn’t taken off with ultralight mountain rifle guys, not only is it the original mountain rifle even ornate wood ones clock in at around 5 lbs
 
conor_90 said:
Very nice track! Any pictures or more info?

I hate looking at northern and central euro used gun sites and forums. Their version of a beat up old rifle is something else.

Probably a pretty small market here. The Haneal jagers may have been a one time thing...

I had a “BRNO K1” from a non CZ manufacturer; full stock and shot very well. 243 win and rounds would not extract, super annoying. Probably the only “ cheap” euro style hinge gun on the market and it does not take down without tools and is hard to find.

I often wonder why that style of gun hasn’t taken off with ultralight mountain rifle guys, not only is it the original mountain rifle even ornate wood ones clock in at around 5 lbs
Click to expand...

I think that the Alberta and B.C. mountain hunters don't favor the ultra-light single shot because of the grizzlies and cougars, two reasons anyway, out of the many. I bumped into grizzlies about 6 or 7 times without incident, however a repeater rifle is carried with more confidence than a single shot.

The Kipplauff I purchased was built by a very well known artisan master gunmaker, however no longer in business. Interpreting his business proof marks, et al, the gun was made in 1975. This rifle does not resemble any of today's European single shot's, it's one of a kind, unparalleled to others. No, it doesn't have that marble-cake wood grain, but it's built with impeccable precision that hasn't seen more than 60 rounds fired through it.

Gun is made by: Josef Just, chambered in the 300 H&H, 26" barrel. To have Blaser or Merkel build a rifle as such, will cost north of $18,000.
 
In theory, a falling block action should be stronger than a Mauser-style bolt rifle. More surface area for the breach block to bear against for one thing.

As to why double rifles tend to be hinge action, a falling block double would be a terribly clumsy thing to operate, I would think. The British had a proliferation of falling block designs, but typically only built rook rifles on hinge actions.
 
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