apart from authentic BP replica's-there seems to be no special reason favouring one kind of action over another for BP hunting rifles.Could someone discuss the various features/benefits as well as advantages/disadvantages of the diferent actions?ie-break open, bolt, falling block, etc.Does any one action stand out as superior over the other?
bp action comparison
- Thread starter ratherbefishin
- Start date
If you are shooting black powder in the gun then you want to be able to wash the barrel out with hot water and additionally you want to minimize or eliminate fouling in the various other parts. Ideally you want to be able to clean from the breach
While I don't consider the sharps to be an exceptionally strong action, it does have the advantage of an easily removeable breach and the lock is completely isolated from the source of fouling. A Martini is strong, fairly easy to strip but you cannot clean from the breach (except for a few small models with a hole in the back for the ramrod). Highwalls are strong but a nuisance to strip, however they can be cleaned from behind. Rolling blocks are strong and very simple can be stripped but are simple enough inside tht I rarely do with mine. The Ballard is moderately strong and the breach mechanism is semi sealed in the two halves of the breach block.
For a more complete analysis track down a copy of the various books on single shots by Frank de Haas.
cheers mooncoon
While I don't consider the sharps to be an exceptionally strong action, it does have the advantage of an easily removeable breach and the lock is completely isolated from the source of fouling. A Martini is strong, fairly easy to strip but you cannot clean from the breach (except for a few small models with a hole in the back for the ramrod). Highwalls are strong but a nuisance to strip, however they can be cleaned from behind. Rolling blocks are strong and very simple can be stripped but are simple enough inside tht I rarely do with mine. The Ballard is moderately strong and the breach mechanism is semi sealed in the two halves of the breach block.
For a more complete analysis track down a copy of the various books on single shots by Frank de Haas.
cheers mooncoon
Shiloh Sharps has the strongest action.
They are made from the very highest quality cast steel from Shiloh's own foundry.
This is a pic of a Shiloh Sharps action that was made by Wolf Droege.
He filled a 45-120 case with smokeless powder, compressed the crap out of it, then pulled the trigger from far far away.
As you can see from the pic the action suffered little if any damage.
The case is still in the chamber, and only the barrel burst.
Maybe in the old original rifles the Sharps action wasn't the strongest, but they sure as Hell are these days.
They will take anything a Ruger #1 will and more.
With that being said these rifles shoot their best with black powder.
About the only way to damage a Shiloh with black powder is by leaving an airspace between the bullet, and the over powder wad.
This can ring the chamber.
They are made from the very highest quality cast steel from Shiloh's own foundry.
This is a pic of a Shiloh Sharps action that was made by Wolf Droege.
He filled a 45-120 case with smokeless powder, compressed the crap out of it, then pulled the trigger from far far away.
As you can see from the pic the action suffered little if any damage.
The case is still in the chamber, and only the barrel burst.
Maybe in the old original rifles the Sharps action wasn't the strongest, but they sure as Hell are these days.
They will take anything a Ruger #1 will and more.
With that being said these rifles shoot their best with black powder.
About the only way to damage a Shiloh with black powder is by leaving an airspace between the bullet, and the over powder wad.
This can ring the chamber.
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BPCR actions
Suprised that no one mentioned the Highwall or copies.....Shortest hammer fall is also central(unlike the Shiloh), cocks on closing, the '85 (highwall) was used by Winchester for many years to test proof loads etc.
The action is lighter and smaller than the Sharps, the highwall has a camming action which will help you get that last 1/8th " of shell into that fouled chamber.
Suprised that no one mentioned the Highwall or copies.....Shortest hammer fall is also central(unlike the Shiloh), cocks on closing, the '85 (highwall) was used by Winchester for many years to test proof loads etc.
The action is lighter and smaller than the Sharps, the highwall has a camming action which will help you get that last 1/8th " of shell into that fouled chamber.
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I tend to disagree with your statement of the Sharps being the strongest action. I doubt if there is a stronger production falling block out there than the Ruger.Conan_568 said:
The browning is also a better action in some ways than the Sharps, although the Sharps is much easier to clean ....
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