ericp
.327 Meteor
Posts: 522
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Post by ericp on Dec 8, 2021 10:48:55 GMT -5
That rolling block is delightful! I can easily imagine that one coming along on a walk around the pastures.
Eric
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Post by magnumwheelman on Dec 8, 2021 11:18:52 GMT -5
I haven't been participating much... but I've always loved my single shots from my 32 caliber Flintlock squirrel gun, & my Contenders, & new Encore toys... in the middle there are a couple rolling blocks, ( both of my rollers are heavy weight longer range rifles ) but of my Martini's ( 4 total ) the carbine pretty much matches what you're doing here, except we stamped it with the metric designation of the 30-30 cartridge... I sold off my Stevens favorite & a pair of Crackshots, as they were both rimfire... I always wanted to convert a favorite to center fire & chamber it in my 257 Special cartridge I do have a carbine barrel for my 25 ACP, that I feel fits in perfectly here though  |
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jeffh
.375 Atomic
Posts: 1,749
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Post by jeffh on Dec 8, 2021 11:23:37 GMT -5
My thoughts on this is the variety of guns available for the 300 Blackout. The little bolt action Ruger American is under 6 lbs. Be pretty fun for those who want a Repeater Rook Rifle... I'm a big fan of the recently discontinued CZ 527s and would definitely like one of those as a 300 BLK repeater.
The scope on that Rolling block is SWEET, and not easy to find these days. Looks like a Japanese version, which (to me) has always been fine glass and excellent mechanics at a high level of value. When I was a kid, "Made in Japan" was a derisive epithet, used to insult the quality or value of something, just like people say "cheap Chinese ____" today. By the time I reached the ripe 'ol age of about eleven, Panasonic, Bausch & Lomb, Nikon, Olympus and other names dawned on me as being seriously good quality stuff, but the stigma continued for many years thereafter which, I believe, was partially responsible for keeping prices down. The Japanese Tascos were actually NICE scopes.
Anyway, my point is that for ANYONE interested in adding "glass" to a Rook Rifle, they might keep their eyes peeled, because fixed, low-powered scopes with uncomplicated reticles, and minus gargantuan, chunky protuberances sticking out every which way are darned tough to find these days. Some of the older Bushnell scopes, Tascos, Weavers were made in Japan and were excellent equipment.
I bought a Leupold VX "Freedom," whatever that means as pertains to a scope (?) for one of my rifles of this general ilk and it was by far one of the worst scopes I've owned. Chuncky, overly bulky with sharp, snaggy edges, ridiculously tall turret caps, chalk-board finish which abraded everything it rubbed against and the most indifferent, mushy feel to the adjustments, which would not move the reticle until after a few shots had been fired. I have and love several Leupolds, all 2-7 or 3-9, and finding a low-powered one is tough, so I jumped on the VX "Freedom." That one was not at my house for more than a week.
Unless you have serious cash to drop, are very patient and extremely brand-loyal, start looking NOW for one of the "older," lower powered fixed or variable Japanese scopes.
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Post by Encore64 on Dec 8, 2021 11:26:41 GMT -5
I was born 100 years too late. The Rolling Blocks and Falling Blocks are my kind of guns.
I do think the 25 ACP fits. I remember thinking that way back when I sent you that link to the cast bullets.
Trying to do better. Decided to try and move into this century. Snagged a Howa Mini this morning in 300 Blackout. Figured this would be a better variation than the Traditions Rifle. It was also 10 oz lighter.
Takes 223 Magazines, so nose length isn't an issue with heavy cast bullets. A lot going on, but I'll get there eventually.
Mag, if you can and will, how about some more details and range/ballistics info on that 25 ACP Carbine?
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Post by magnumwheelman on Dec 8, 2021 11:34:01 GMT -5
I've mostly played with subsonic loads... groups not real impressive here, but if you can make out the writing on the target just above the hammer, it says "mosquitoes so bad I couldn't sit still" this target shot at 50 yards but here is a picture...  custom 30-30 Martini carbine top in this picture  |
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Post by magnumwheelman on Dec 8, 2021 13:06:01 GMT -5
original 25 ACP reloading work was to find an accurate subsonic load for my custom Blackhawk, so it could comfortably be shot without hearing protection if desired... this picture is factory loads, & my Blackhawk...but with the Contender Carbine are some of my subsonic loads plenty of room to speed things up, if using a fine pistol powder in the 25 ACP case ( a little goes a long way ) factory rounds out of the carbine barrel are between 1100 - 1200 fps with the 50 grain FMJ  |
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Post by Encore64 on Dec 8, 2021 13:09:42 GMT -5
I was wondering what the max velocity you could get from that little case.
I think the 25 Special in a Carbine would be an excellent candidate. Probably the best of the 25s.
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Post by magnumwheelman on Dec 8, 2021 13:25:04 GMT -5
You're going to force to to go looking for the 257 Special reamer... this cartridge is straight tapered 22 Hornet cases trimmed to 38 Special length ( to fit with available bullets into a Single Six platform ) the 3 cases in the lower left, from left to right, are a factory 22 Hornet case, a straight tapered, sized 22 Hornet case, & a trimmed to length formed 257 case we used a 25 caliber rifle barrel at the time, as I hadn't found a .251 barrel blank I would love to have a carbine Contender barrel in this caliber... I do have a custom 10" Contender barrel, we made with the rest of the rifle barrel left over... wondering if Bull Berry would make me a carbine barrel, if I could send him the reamer... I think my retired buddy gave me the custom reamer with the revolver when done... but it's possible he still has it, & I'll need to talk him out of it  some 257 Special "options"  Think this cartridge would be awesome in a light weight single shot ( rook ) rifle |
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Post by Encore64 on Dec 8, 2021 13:51:09 GMT -5
Have to agree...
I've been weighing all sorts of scopes and rifle parts this morning.
Best I can figure, my Rook 30 Reece Carbine is going to weigh 6.3 lbs. I'd like to stay in that range if possible.
For me, balance is more important than weight. But, keeping with tradition, I want to keep weight low.
This is with a Weaver K6 Scope...
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Post by magnumwheelman on Dec 8, 2021 14:02:45 GMT -5
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Post by Encore64 on Dec 8, 2021 14:15:49 GMT -5
My Weaver K6 is NIB. It only weighs 9.7 oz and I've been saving it for a special rifle. This seems like it...
My 321 GNR Carbine is 5.75 lbs ready to go with a 2.5x Tasco on it. I expect the 30 Reece to be .5 lbs heavier.
The 327 Federal TC is 6.25 lbs but has the very heavy Vortex Scope on it. Maybe something I should think about more.
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Post by needsmostuff on Dec 11, 2021 11:07:03 GMT -5
Well, another tidbit of maybe no consequence, or maybe a little.
Years ago, during a 7.62x25 phase I ended up with a spam can of really crappy Bulgarian ammo. Stuff was well known to have brittle brass and lots of neck cracks where it was dimpled.
Very erratic and shot too poorly to even sell.
So, I pulled about a gazillion bullets!
Now the bullets turned out to be pretty cool. Even though marked as 7.62 they measured .308 and weighed right at 80 gr. Round nosed & jacketed probably not much for expansion but I did shoot some out of 30-30 and 308 rifles over small amounts of red dot. They shot pretty well and went like stink but looked pretty silly.
Just a thought to maybe harvest some odd bullets to fill a niche.
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Post by Encore64 on Dec 11, 2021 13:50:45 GMT -5
The 7.62x25 is standard .308" I believe. I know it's what Starline recommends for sure.
I think it's already been mentioned, but the 7.62x25 in a TC G2 Carbine would be an excellent choice for a Rook Rifle.
Back years ago, J.D. Jones used the 30 Mauser for his Mini-Whisper and it worked great in a TC.
Thanks for posting this, it's very relevant...
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Post by potatojudge on May 29, 2022 13:45:10 GMT -5
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Post by Encore64 on May 29, 2022 14:26:19 GMT -5
Possibly, but the 25-20 Case would have been a far better choice for that project.
The long neck would have protected the lube on the bullets better.
Still, I admire the initiative and craftsmanship...
This got popular in Australia for a while. Was friends with a barrel maker who built a ton of TC Contender Barrels for this. A special 1-8" Twist with long throats for 120 grn Bullets.
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