rebarrel falling block-type actions to different cartridge?

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boxhitch

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changing 45/70 to 38-55 maybe? are mods needed to the original breech block?
does rim thickness come into play or is that taken up in the chamber?
different extractor and barrel, is that it?
 
boxhitch said:
changing 45/70 to 38-55 maybe? are mods needed to the original breech block?
does rim thickness come into play or is that taken up in the chamber?
different extractor and barrel, is that it?
Click to expand...
Yes, I believe so.
I have had many falling blocks rebarreled to cartridges with different case head sizes with the extractors being the only issue.
Cat
 
gunlaker said:
I don't know of any that would need changes to the breech block. Extractor & barrel is likely all you need. Plus a decent gunsmith who actually wants to do the work which is the hardest part.

Chris.
Click to expand...
There are a few around in Alberta that I know of who don't mind working on falling blocks.
Henry Remple in Langdon, Paul Cook ( PR Precision, member here) and Wayne McDonald West of Edmonton are three that I trust with my falling blocks.
OOPS! forgot RKS in Torrington!
Cat
 
Last edited:
boxhitch said:
changing 45/70 to 38-55 maybe? are mods needed to the original breech block?
does rim thickness come into play or is that taken up in the chamber?
different extractor and barrel, is that it?
Click to expand...
This one went for a 45/70 DCRA long range target rifle to my main hunting gun in .303 Brit, barrel and extractor changed only as far as the metal work goes, the stocks of course were changed as well :LOL:
Cat
 

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iron cat said:
This one went for a 45/70 DCRA long range target rifle to my main hunting gun in .303 Brit, barrel and extractor changed only as far as the metal work goes, the stocks of course were changed as well :LOL:
Cat
Click to expand...
And the lever, I think.
Mine went from 220 Swift to 303. Minor extractor mod and a barrel with 1/4 rib. The rib should have been done differently. The gunsmith was barely competent. Bill.
 
The answer will be found, downloading the actual dimensions that the various "Standards" folks put on the various cartridges.

SAMMI specs can be found with a little looking, the Euro cartridge specs with some more.
 
if you are thinking of going from 45-70 to 38-55, why not go to 38-56 which you can form from 45-70 shells. Also go for a faster twist barrel that will let you shoot 300 grain bullets. Low recoil and enough power to knock rams over at 500 yds

cheers mooncoon
 
I'm sure it will but you'll be hard pressed to get that velocity out of a 38-55 due to the small case capacity.

Everyone I know that shot a 38-55 for silhouette eventually switched to the 40-65 which is my favorite for the job.

With that said, I'm trying to get a CPA in 38-50 Rem Hepburn sorted out for silhouette. It's a 1:12 twist barrel shooting 360gr bullets at 1340fps. That's with 57.5gr of Swiss 1.5 which is a fair bit more than you'll probably get in a 38-55 case unless breech seating or using a ton of compression. Even in the bigger 38-50RH case I'm only seating the bullet a little less than 0.260" into the case. The bullet has 3 bore diameter bands on it.

If I were going with the 38-55 for silhouette, I'd definitely chamber it for the Starline long brass ( 2.125") and have a little freebore to get more case capacity.

Chris.
 
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