Where to find rolling blocks?

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CL2000

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After deciding that the cost of a Martini Henry is too high as well as the dies for that and Sniders is way too much at the moment, I decided to fall back to my previous interest. Rolling block firearms.
These are such interesting old guns to me and I'd love to get my hands on one that I can use, however, most that I can find in my price range are either of questionable quality, or in long obsolete cartridges that seem difficult at best to reload for.

I see some on intersurplus around and under the $400 range, leaving plenty in my budget to get needed reloading equipment, however, reloading equipment for this 8x58R cartridge seems rare at best and brass is a small fortune.

The only other rolling block I see in my price range is on ####### and is a 20 gauge. That's good, 20g is common and shotguns are fairly easy to reload for-... What's that? It's chambered in 2½ inch? No big deal, I'm sure brass shells can be found that size or can be cut... Only other problem is the damage I don't understand.
And I quote "Hinge pin retaining bar is cracked but the screw still secures the bar." I don't even know what that means.

So my question stands. Where can I find a rolling block or falling block in a easy/cheap to reload cartridge?
My price range can go up higher if it's a cartridge with really cheap requirements to reload.
 
The 8x58R is a bit of a challenge for dies but brass can be made from 7.62x54R or 45-70. Lee makes a .329" 8mm mold and I would imagine Jetbullets probably has something that would work.

For a 20ga there are 2 1/2" all brass magtech shells available. They will last many many years. The one you refer to sounds like the part on the side of the action that holds the hammer and block pin is damaged. Shouldn't be serious. Wouldn't be too hard to make or replace.

I think you will be happiest if you can fine the money for a used Pedersoli or Navy arms rolling block in 45-70 or 38-55, etc.
 
vagrantviking said:
The 8x58R is a bit of a challenge for dies but brass can be made from 7.62x54R or 45-70. Lee makes a .329" 8mm mold and I would imagine Jetbullets probably has something that would work.

For a 20ga there are 2 1/2" all brass magtech shells available. They will last many many years. The one you refer to sounds like the part on the side of the action that holds the hammer and block pin is damaged. Shouldn't be serious. Wouldn't be too hard to make or replace.

I think you will be happiest if you can fine the money for a used Pedersoli or Navy arms rolling block in 45-70 or 38-55, etc.
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Yep, I heard that about 7.62x54 and 45-70 for it, I even got a bunch of reloadable brass and n 7.62, but no dies is a no-go for me.

I'll have to send a message to see if I can understand a bit better.

And I'm having a hard time finding the navy arms, but the only pedersoli I'm seeing available is over $1k, too much for me.

Edit:
Messaged the guy, he said "The bar on the left side that connects the 2 big hinge pins is broken. The metal is very thin in that area and sometime in the last 150 years it broke.

Should it be broken? No. Does it affect the functionality of it? Not in the least. The center screw still holds everything"
 
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You have to be excited to load for these old girls. When i cant buy dies or brass is when i want one.

Seems you may be better off getting a 71/84 as you can find cheap dies from lee and brass isnt hard to find.

Or get a trapdoor. Its 45-70 and can be cheap to pick up a sporter rifle.
 
Not rolling blocks, but those little Stevens Favorites w/ those tilting blocks are readily available and would make a great project. Bores are usually shot so sleeving for .22 LR makes a lot of sense. They have low strength limited by the pins and are not the typical breech block concept.

A sporter Snider is not much more than a sporter SMLE Enfield. I'll send you some brass for a song if you DM me when you have a need. You don't really need the dies except for forming the brass from 24 gauge.
 
Evanguy said:
You have to be excited to load for these old girls. When i cant buy dies or brass is when i want one.

Seems you may be better off getting a 71/84 as you can find cheap dies from lee and brass isnt hard to find.

Or get a trapdoor. Its 45-70 and can be cheap to pick up a sporter rifle.
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What do you call a 71/84? isnt that an old mauser?

I took a look on #######, i see no trapdoor 45-70 in my range
 
Rwilco said:
Not rolling blocks, but those little Stevens Favorites w/ those tilting blocks are readily available and would make a great project. Bores are usually shot so sleeving for .22 LR makes a lot of sense. They have low strength limited by the pins and are not the typical breech block concept.

A sporter Snider is not much more than a sporter SMLE Enfield. I'll send you some brass for a song if you DM me when you have a need. You don't really need the dies except for forming the brass from 24 gauge.
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I'm not really interested in a .22, i'm sure they are fun little guns, but fixing the bore is beyond me anyways.

I started a thread about reloading for sniders without dies, im not comfortable with nothing but the lube holding the bullet in.
 
I just made a bunch of 8X58R for a guy from 7.62x54R. Made an expander plug, and thinned/narrowed the rims. Made a mandrel but that turned out to be unnecessary - it's actually a pretty simple round to make in the end from 7.62x54 - I used my lathe but quite honestly, you could probably get the same results in a drill press.
 
NorthCoastBigBore said:
I just made a bunch of 8X58R for a guy from 7.62x54R. Made an expander plug, and thinned/narrowed the rims. Made a mandrel but that turned out to be unnecessary - it's actually a pretty simple round to make in the end from 7.62x54 - I used my lathe but quite honestly, you could probably get the same results in a drill press.
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That's all good to know, but I don't have access to a drill press.
And doesn't answer how they would at least neck size it to reload.
 
Be careful trying to source a worthwhile rifle to match your bank account. In my experience you will be disappointed if you think you can get away with a cheap gun. Much better to decide what you want based on what it can do, rather than pickup someone else's cast off.

If you think Interarm has what you need but you're sort of short pay this month, speak up and ask for them to hold it while you get the next $2-300 together.
 
maple_leaf_eh said:
Be careful trying to source a worthwhile rifle to match your bank account. In my experience you will be disappointed if you think you can get away with a cheap gun. Much better to decide what you want based on what it can do, rather than pickup someone else's cast off.

If you think Interarm has what you need but you're sort of short pay this month, speak up and ask for them to hold it while you get the next $2-300 together.
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Oh my budget is about $700 max for the gun at the moment, it's not often I go over.
I'm aware how much reloading kits and dies cost, that can come later, I just need to know they are actually available
 
Hi There, it's unlikely you will find a shootable rolling block in the $700.00 price range , you might find something in the $1000 to $1500 range. The easiest caliber to reload for these single shots is 45-70. The best single shot in your budget range would be an H&R 1871 Buffalo Classic 45-70, this is a break action gun , very accurate and fun to shoot you can occasionally see them on GP for $600 to $800. Pic below is the cheapest roller I have , I paid $1200 just for the rifle and it is a modern reproduction by Pedersoli.

Retreever

RangeDay1_Rolling Block_Brass Scope_25.jpg
 

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Re3iever said:
Hi There, it's unlikely you will find a shootable rolling block in the $700.00 price range , you might find something in the $1000 to $1500 range. The easiest caliber to reload for these single shots is 45-70. The best single shot in your budget range would be an H&R 1871 Buffalo Classic 45-70, this is a break action gun , very accurate and fun to shoot you can occasionally see them on GP for $600 to $800. Pic below is the cheapest roller I have , I paid $1200 just for the rifle and it is a modern reproduction by Pedersoli.

Retreever

View attachment 618942
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I seen a few break off single shots, they just don't catch my eye like a rolling block, falling block, or trapdoor.

Very nice gun btw
 
Elwood Epps has a roller in 11.7 X 51 for $ 600
I don't know if that caliber can be done with with 45-70 brass, and the right bullet mould. I've never had to look into that.
Someone on here may have a recipe to convert.
Other than that, I'm with Re3riever.
 
ww270win said:
Elwood Epps has a roller in 11.7 X 51 for $ 600
I don't know if that caliber can be done with with 45-70 brass, and the right bullet mould. I've never had to look into that.
Someone on here may have a recipe to convert.
Other than that, I'm with Re3riever.
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It's always obscure cartridges.
Quick look up, I don't see much info on the 11.7x51, seems like they use an odd diameter bullet, little bigger than standard 45 cal.
Thanks for letting me know tho, it's another site I can keep my eye on.
 
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