Hunting Rook and Rabbit’s

[Altitude sickness]

I saw a nice Rook and Rabbit rifle the other day and thought it would be fun for this winters small game.


Just for conversation sake. Does anyone have one to show? What caliber ? Do you use it?

If I can work a trade I may pick the one up.

 

[Huvius]

I have a few. Chamberings in my rifles are 300 Rook, 310 Cadet, and 360 No.5.
Of these, I like the 360 best.
Cases are made from 38 Special and many shoot quite well with a hollow base .358” bullet but a heeled bullet can also be used as well as a paper patched bullet which is what I’m using. The heeled bullet is correct but all can be satisfactory.
The 300 is it’s own case so can’t be made from anything else.
The 310 can be made from 22 Hornet (I think - would have to check).
In either case, you’re limited as to what bullet you can use - the 300 being a true .300” diameter and the 310 taking the heeled 120gr bullet. I don’t know of any other projectile really working in the cadet.
Also, Rook rifles run the gambit from very plain to very high quality in a myriad of actions and styles, so prices vary a lot.
What are you looking at?

 

[Altitude sickness]

A .38 Holland and Holland

 

[Red Leg]

I have two that I have kept. Both are in useful calibers.

The prettiest and best preserved is a Steven Grant built on a miniature Martini Henry action. It is chambered in the very useful .380 centerfire. Like many so chambered this one chambers and shoots .38 Long Colt very accurately. Thanks to cowboy action shooting, there is a lot of it to be had. It has bowled over quite a few squirrels and armadillos.

The other isn't nearly pristine, but the bore is in great shape. It is also the only original .44 Winchester rook rifle I have ever heard of much less seen. Built in Birmingham by a C. H. Laurenburg, it uses the famous Westley Richards sliding bite action. Of course the .44 Winchester is better known here as the 44-40. Ammunition for it is also relatively plentiful.

I think of it as my rook stopping rifle. It is decisive on a charging opossum.

All in all these old rifles are a lot of fun.

 

[Altitude sickness]

Wow, that falling block is stunning.

 

[Huvius]

I have two that I have kept. Both are in useful calibers.

The prettiest and best preserved is a Steven Grant built on a miniature Martini Henry action. It is chambered in the very useful .380 centerfire. Like many so chambered this one chambers and shoots .38 Long Colt very accurately. Thanks to cowboy action shooting, there is a lot of it to be had. It has bowled over quite a few squirrels and armadillos.
View attachment 572463
View attachment 572464

The other isn't nearly pristine, but the bore is in great shape. It is also the only original .44 Winchester rook rifle I have ever heard of much less seen. Built in Birmingham by a C. H. Laurenburg, it uses the famous Westley Richards sliding bite action. Of course the .44 Winchester is better known here as the 44-40. Ammunition for it is also relatively plentiful.

I think of it as my rook stopping rifle. It is decisive on a charging opossum.

View attachment 572476
View attachment 572477

All in all these old rifles are a lot of fun.

That 44WCF is very cool. Almost makes it a small deer rifle!