RB Rodda .577 BPE

[Zinz]

Anyone here on AH get this good looking hammergun?

R.B. Rodda & Co. DOUBLE RIFLE .577 EX COLLECTOR'S Rifle. Very Good. 28" Barrel. Shiny Bore, Tight Ac | Guns & Military Artifacts Rifles | Online Auctions | Proxibid

R.B. Rodda & Co. DOUBLE RIFLE .577 EX COLLECTOR'S Rifle. Very Good. 28" Barrel. Shiny Bore, Tight Action Break Action BARREL AND RECEIVER HAVE MATCHING NUMBERS! PROOF MARKS CROWN BX over CROWN BP under Hand Guard on Barrel, and on Receiver. Very Nice Engraving on Screws, and Light Scroll Etching...

www.proxibid.com

 

[Ridge Runner]

I have 3 concerns:

1) right side lock plate looks like it is split.
2) both sides of stock looks split/ cracked
3) middle of right barrel, forward of sling mount, is discolored, possibly from a heavy charge/ stressed.

Otherwise a beautiful rifle.

 

[Green Chile]

Not that one but I have a really nice RB Rodda .577 BPE double cased with mould, tools, etc. That one looks like it might have some issues as stated.

 

[Zinz]

Hammer price plus fees was just shy of $4000

 

[matt85]

From what I can tell from the pictures, it looks like the gun was restored at some point. The blemishes are likely places where more severe corrosion was removed.

 

[NFA-Newbie]

New member here. I am the one that picked it up, my thoughts from comparing the pictures that it was a combo of bad shadows and refinishing. I guess we will see. I am relatively certain that the locks and stock are not split. As for the right barrel being stressed we will see. I wanted a "smaller" reloading project before I start working up some loads for the E.M. Reilly eight bore I am trying to get back up and going.

 

[Huvius]

The lock is definitely not split and I agree there is nothing worrisome about the barrel.
The grip does show discoloration through the checkering on the right and some zig-zagging on the left just where one would expect a break in guns of this type - right in the tang screw area.
Unfortunately, they don't show a view of wood fit along the top or bottom tangs where a crack is much more difficult to conceal than through the checkering.

 

[Green Chile]

New member here. I am the one that picked it up, my thoughts from comparing the pictures that it was a combo of bad shadows and refinishing. I guess we will see. I am relatively certain that the locks and stock are not split. As for the right barrel being stressed we will see. I wanted a "smaller" reloading project before I start working up some loads for the E.M. Reilly eight bore I am trying to get back up and going.

Welcome aboard! Let us know how the projects are going. I shoot 12 bores and there is at least one 8 bore user here. 10 bore is next on my list.

 

[Zinz]

I wanted a "smaller" reloading project

Congratulations on a beautiful rifle! I'm sure it will give you good service. Be sure to check which chamber you have; they came in 2 3/4" and 3". The 3" chamber is preferable as it matches the .577NE brass that is available.

After I got my Adams & Co. .577BPE, I reached out to big double afficionado, Cal Pappas up in Alaska. He hooked me up with some brass, bullets, and a load recipe.

Cal wrote to me:
"The load that will work in your rifle is 40% of the original black powder load using IMR 4198.
I would guess your rifle will shoot fine with 60-65 grains of 4198, a pinch of kapok pillow stuffing to keep the powder next to the primer, a rifle magnum primer, and a bullet of <600 grains.'

I found my rifle shoots well with 650 grain Woodleigh softs and 65 grains of IMR 4198 topped off with a tuft of Dacron pillow ticking. Cal got me some of his 590gr cast bullets and they shot just as well as the Woodleighs.

I worked up from 60 grains of IMR4198. My particular rifle is fairly light for caliber at 9 1/2 pounds. Those initial loads are easy to shoot with light recoil, but didn't regulate well. Rounds from each barrel landed on the same plane, but 5 inches apart. As velocity increased, that distance decreased to a respectable spread at 50 yards. Full power loads are not uncomfortable, but you do need to be hanging on when the hammer falls

Hope you are able to get your Rodda running soon. Availability of brass, bullets, and dies will be a challenge...

My .577

Ed Z

 

[Velo Dog]

These rifles are so beautiful.
It is sad that most rifles being made today are such gadgety gimmick eye sores.

 

[NFA-Newbie]

Hope you are able to get your Rodda running soon. Availability of brass, bullets, and dies will be a challenge...


Thanks for all the info and kind thoughts. Yeah I am used to having to run stuff down. The .577 should be here on Wednesday. Below is my 8 as well as a .577 pistol I have been getting back up and going... Had to get RMCC to make brass for both of them, and work to custom design a hollow base .600 bullet for the pistol.

 

[matt85]

New member here. I am the one that picked it up, my thoughts from comparing the pictures that it was a combo of bad shadows and refinishing. I guess we will see. I am relatively certain that the locks and stock are not split. As for the right barrel being stressed we will see. I wanted a "smaller" reloading project before I start working up some loads for the E.M. Reilly eight bore I am trying to get back up and going.

Congratulations on your purchase! A 577 Express rifle is high on my list of future guns.

I hand load for a W.J. Jeffery 8-bore 3.25". If you need any help with your 8-bore I would be happy to offer my assistance.

 

[NFA-Newbie]

Thanks! I may take you up on that. Mine is a 3.5-inch gun. My biggest issue has been finding appropriate tools, etc. I'mst likely going to have to make ju a few things.

 

[Zinz]

The 8 Bore is gorgeous. The .577 revolver… never seen such a beast. Pretty darned cool. Dirty Harry would be proud.

Ed Z

 

[matt85]

Thanks! I may take you up on that. Mine is a 3.5-inch gun. My biggest issue has been finding appropriate tools, etc. I'mst likely going to have to make ju a few things.

RMC can make you a loading kit which works great.

 

[NFA-Newbie]

I'll take some pictures over the weekend. BUT no cracked locks, no cracked stock, no indications of barrel stress. In fact, it looks like the gun was barely used and then put away somewhere. Everything is gorgeous and perfect except a few minor things based on how it was stored.

Issues are, the chipped heel of the buttpad, and a few minor places with surface rust. In fact the noted "middle of right barrel, forward of sling mount, is discolored, possibly from a heavy charge/ stressed" was just a very light bit of surface rust likely from a fingerprint (thankfully mine don't do that). I will try and measure the chamber without casting it, because I HATE trying to remove the casting. Barrels are marked 577 120 560. Sights are presumably for one hundred, two hundred, and three hundred (folding leafs marked 2 and 3). I'll weigh the gun and get some other info here over the weekend.

 

[NFA-Newbie]

577 120 560.

So couldn't help myself as that was sitting odd with me. It says 577 160 520 instead! I think this is a 2 3/4 inch gun and am just going to order a single 3 inch case and see. I can always cut that down and likely will have to just cut down 3 inch shells. So I am not a photographer, but here are some pictures of it and its big sister. Brass etc. mainly for the 8 bore but there is some .577 boxer brass for the revolver too. It was in that area of the vault waiting for attention. I included a few pictures that so the concerning areas in the even crappier auction photos. I think they did me a favor there...

 

[Zinz]

That is so fine… I’m super jealous. I’d love to shoot that 8 bore.

Measuring the chamber is simple..at least it was on mine. There’s a distinct ridge at the end of the chamber, just slip a tape measure into the breach till it touches that ridge. You could use a chop stick or bamboo skewer as well.

Ed Z

 

[NFA-Newbie]

Oh I did and got 2.743 to 2.755, but I can only source 3 inch basic brass so gotta cut it down anyway. Also the "ridge" on mine is pretty darn narrow. Narrow enough that I got a few cleaning patches and placed them from the muzzle end to right where I could see the ridge and took the measurements. IT It helped me better place the marking stick when shining a flashlight in there, with all the white from the patches. Prior to that I just could not feel the ridge easily. Perhaps I lack a soft touch.

 

[Zinz]

No real difference in the 2 3/4” and 3” if you plan to shoot smokeless loads. Most of the case is filled with Dacron…

For others watching this thread… Morphy’s Auction house has a number of incredible doubles in their next sale.

This one is particularly nice.

(A) MANTON & CO .577 BPE HAMMER FIRED DOUBLE | Proxibid

Bid in a Proxibid online auction to acquire a (A) MANTON & CO .577 BPE HAMMER FIRED DOUBLE RIFLE WITH CASE AND IDENTIFICATION TO CAPTAIN GEORGE AL from Morphy Auctions.

www.proxibid.com