Falling block goodness?

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rustynut1

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I have this "need" for a falling block rifle, I guess. I'm thinking Quigley from down under want-a-be, 28" bbl, 45/70 calibre. Just a toy. I have been sniffing around the Ruger No. 1 and the Winchester 1885 but I know there are others out there. Sharps clones.

Looking for advice, knowledge. Just doing research, wishing I had money to blow...
 
If money isn’t an issue(rarely is in my case....) I would go with a sharp 45-100 or something like that ....
 
I d stick with the 45/70 as if down the road if you want a larger case you can always have the chamber reamed out to a longer case .45/70 though is much more economical for components and I believe it makes resale easier .
 
I assume the 1885 is kind of new (re-release) vs the Ruger No. 1 that has been around for a long time. Which would be better? Harder to get? The 1885 in traditional 45/70 is already discontinued.
 
If you are refering to me sir this 1885 is an original Winchester flat spring low wall in 22 LR.
With an octagon barrel a tang site of course.
I waited a long time seeking out the original. Because a good friend of mine suggested the newer Browning 1885 has a quite different trigger mechanism that is not so user or maintenance friendly.
 
I too would stick with 45-70. I have a Browning 78 and a Ruger #3. I also have a falling block works 38-55 , Ballard #5 in 40-85 Ballard, a 50-70 Rem roller, and a Shiloh Sharps 50-70. A snider and a martini also. I’ve had a # of Sharps in 40-65(good choice), one in 45-70, and a 45-120, as well as a rebarreled original Sharps in 45-100. The BPCR silhouette shooters use more 45-70 than any other. There are 45-90s on the line but much fewer. Recoil starts to add up when using 530 GE bullets. What is your intended use? As a hunter I like me little Ruger, the Browning was a paper puncher. All are a fun time playing with. Can be hard to confirm a hit when in pasture shooting gophers. :) . Good luck with whatever you get.
 
rustynut1 said:
I have this "need" for a falling block rifle, I guess. I'm thinking Quigley from down under want-a-be, 28" bbl, 45/70 calibre. Just a toy. I have been sniffing around the Ruger No. 1 and the Winchester 1885 but I know there are others out there. Sharps clones.

Looking for advice, knowledge. Just doing research, wishing I had money to blow...
Click to expand...

Check out the Pedersoli rifles. Very nice units that have proven build quality & accuracy records in competition shooting. I love my one.
Marstar has numerous units in stock.

https://marstar.ca/product-category/pedersoli-rifles/page/1/
 
Check out the 1885 made by C.Sharps. It is a faithful reproduction and is available with a heavy barrel and the option to go with a good tang-mounted Soule sight.
 
Certainly there is some fine long range shooting done with 45-70 and or 45-90. But don't discount all those other nearly forgotten cartridges of yesteryear; 32-40, 38-55, 25-35 and dare I say it 30-40 and 30-30.
You don't have to burn so much powder to hear that satisfying click on steel way out there.
Plus these cartridge choices are a fine way to pull novices into this sport.
 
You might consider a BSA Martini Action 22LR. Mine is a Model 12/15, circa 1947, with excellent Parker Hale target sights. These are nice rifles, beautifully simple and very accurate.
 
I have a few falling blocks, a couple of martini 22 sporting rifle,a Shiloh Sharps military rifle,a c sharps high wall ,a c sharps 1875 and a Varner stevens all are fun guns to shoot

image.jpg


1875 C Sharps

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C Sharps1885 high wall with single set trigger


image.jpg
 
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I guess this topic is a little more complicated than I thought. I like the 45/70 round. I guess it is close to the 450 Bushmaster but the 45/70 is more classic. I have a 357 Max now, I guess this compares to the 38/55 round.

At this point I'm leaning toward the 1855 falling block in 45/70 long barrel. I like it better than the Ruger No. 1 but that gun is a classic as well. I don't like the looks of the Sharps as much as the 1855. I guess it is the exposed hammer, black powder looks I guess. And the Sharps are about $1000 more $$. Having said this I have never laid my hands on any of these guns so what do I know. I would want open sights with the peep sight behind the hammer.

Still looking and studying these guns. I have a T/C Encore in 223, 270 Win and 30-06 so I wouldn't consider the above in those cartridges.
 
I found this gun and got a little excited until I realized it is chambered in a weak hand gun calibre.

xxhttps://www.doctordeals.ca/product/chiappa-little-sharps-rifle-color-case-44-40-octagon-920-190/

remove the xx
 
Brutus said:
Anyone here shoot 50-70 anything?
I shot a rolling block in this caliber in Willow Bunch.
I feel the need for one someday soon....
Click to expand...

There was a Gemmer style rolling block in 50-70 on the EE for quite a while. Not sure if still available but the same seller has one in 40-65 listed as well.

Not technically a falling block but still a nice old world single shot.
 
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