Remington rolling block #1

If you stick with black powder or black powder safe loads, I would think your safe with most anything. I would also send them out to get case hardened also, as it will add some more strength to it. I know they put some heafty calibers in them back in the day, not sure what the upper limit is though, it's a pressure thing, as much as a size thing, so a 50-140 with a 400gr bullet is less pressure then a 50-140 with a 700gr bullet. The 45 case will have less bolt thrust then the fifty call case etc. I know they built 45-120s on them, but not sure how long they lasted though. If your going for a big Boomer, I would also have the person doing the case hardening, to add kasinite to the locking points, as it adds more carbon and a little deeper then just regular case hardening does. These were pretty common for Buffalo and meat hunters to use. I can't remember off the top of my head, what their pressure limit is, but you could Call C Sharp's or MVA and talk to them about it. Remember, their is a difference between what you can do and what you should do.
 
I have built several BPCRs on rolling block actions. Since you are starting with a bare receiver I would prep it properly before doing any case hardening treatments. As building a rifle isn't cheap these extra steps will make your custom rifle worthy of the investment you are making.

Make sure the pins fit properly and have proper fitting pins made to fit. This might entail reaming the holes depending on how worn it is. Then ensure the locking surfaces, sears, firing pin and its hole and such mate properly. I always surface grind the sides and front face of rollers. This ensures everything is squared and plumb to the bore line. It also makes for a far better surface finish and case hardening results. I've not had to mess with the receiver's barrel threads unless they were rusted or damaged to the point needing it.

As said by Boone66, there is little restriction on caliber and case length using BP. The usual issues involved in the decision are intended use, availability of cases for the choice, cost and end value if its ever sold. 45-70/90, 50-70/90 are relatively easy to source and popular cartridges. Something more exotic may trip your trigger but could take quite a while to source brass and make it less desirable on resale.
 
I just talking with George at treebone carving, he is selling me the stock I want. This will be the third stock he has made for me. I am very happy with his work. And I finish it the way I want it.

As far as case harding. Do you know of someone that does actions?
 
Fenris Wolf Arms has done several for me. Looks as good as Turnbull and a heck of a lot cheaper!
 
I have 2 actions, and would like to rebarrel with octagon or octagon/round.
My question is how large of a cartridge can I safely go? 45-70, 45-90, 45-100.
I have a 45-90 Rolling block. In my experience the largest cartridge for that action is just that, 45-90. The limiting factor is the hammer. unlike falling block rifles the cartridge must be short enough to clear the hammer.
 
I just talking with George at treebone carving, he is selling me the stock I want. This will be the third stock he has made for me. I am very happy with his work. And I finish it the way I want it.

As far as case harding. Do you know of someone that does actions?
Classic colors in Bonners ferry Idaho does good work
 
I have a 45-90 Rolling block. In my experience the largest cartridge for that action is just that, 45-90. The limiting factor is the hammer. unlike falling block rifles the cartridge must be short enough to clear the hammer.
I was wondering about this.
 
Well yes, the case length of a 50-90 is only .1" longer than a 45-90. I suspect that about anything that has a case of about 2.5" would work. Now that I think about it, the various flavors of rolling blocks have different hammer shapes so some may be more forgiving than others in term of workable OAL's. I don't know this for sure but it seems like a possibility.
 
A now deceased friend had a 1872 roller in 45-120 that happily chambered cases, my 45-100 can catch the rim slightly with some projectiles ( it’s a 45-70that I either breach seat or have just a few mm of projectile in the case) yet another friends pedersoli in 38-55 would catch every time until I notched the top of the hammer to clear the rim. Some rollers are notched from factory, as in 100 plus years ago
Gumpy
 
A now deceased friend had a 1872 roller in 45-120 that happily chambered cases, my 45-100 can catch the rim slightly with some projectiles ( it’s a 45-70that I either breach seat or have just a few mm of projectile in the case) yet another friends pedersoli in 38-55 would catch every time until I notched the top of the hammer to clear the rim. Some rollers are notched from factory, as in 100 plus years ago
Gumpy
Hmmmm, this is interesting, I looked it up and apparently Remington did make a few in 45-120 and Pedersoli currently manufactures a version. I'm now interested in the geometry of the hammer on those rifles.
 
I have 2 actions, and would like to rebarrel with octagon or octagon/round.
My question is how large of a cartridge can I safely go? 45-70, 45-90, 45-100.
@1:66 twiste@d
As they are single shots cartridge length is of no concern. You could even go up to the 45-120 .
Action strength is the limiting factor but the REM No1 rolling block also came out in such cartridges as the 30-40 Krag, 7mm Mauser, 30-06, 7.62x54 Russian. So some are what I would call moderately strong with cartridges loaded to the original pressure.
Have fun working out what you want.
Replacement extractors for various cartridges are available .
Bob
 

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