What is your opinion on my rolling block ? Will I lose the head if I shoot it ?

[exseparatist]

Hi !

Last december I got, form a GCN member, this nice custom Remington rolling block in 45-70, assembled on an antique action. The seller told me that he was the first rifle owner and that he shot only 100 bpc. My intention was to shoot only soft reload at black powder pressure.





The problem is when I inspected the gun, I saw a little gap when the breach gate is closed and the hammer is down. On the pic, I loaded an empty brass and placed the hammer in safe position, the breech is locked. IN THIS CONDITION, I AM ABLE TO INSERT 0.030'' OF FILLER GAUGES.







My questions are;

- Is it dangerous to shoot or this kind of gap is normal and acceptable ?

- Is is preferable to send my rifle to a qualifyed gunsmith ?

- Do someone can gime me the name of an expert in rolling block ? I am located near Montreal.

Thank you

Louis

 

[ben hunchak]

i just checked my older Rem. 1 1/2 and it has no gap at all, it was tuned like that by Pete Dingle in Ont., there is also a Mike McPhee(I believe) in Sask., these are the only 2 guys I know I would let play with the old girls. The M.M. guy I have no experience with and am only going by word of mouth or reputation....Ben

 

[dingus]

Ya my Remy Rolling block 1871 Pistol has no Gap and i shoot 50 70 in it.

 

[john dunmore]

no i would not shoot it get agunsmith to look at

 

[john dunmore]

no i would not shoot it get agunsmith to look at it

 

[tiriaq]

If you can put 30 thou. worth of shims between a casehead and the breechface with the action locked, headspace is really generous.