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Post by Encore64 on Oct 13, 2023 6:46:38 GMT -5
CVA and probably others make inexpensive little single shot rifles in 300 Blackout. A pretty simple process for a handloader to turn these into a Rook Rifle...
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jeffh
.375 Atomic
Posts: 1,606
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Post by jeffh on Oct 13, 2023 10:55:55 GMT -5
CVA and probably others make inexpensive little single shot rifles in 300 Blackout. A pretty simple process for a handloader to turn these into a Rook Rifle...
Not enough makers make inexpensive little single-shots any more.
There's a company making $127 break-action single-shot shotguns and selling them in WM and I've wondered if the 410 version would hold up to 357 pressures. I'd almost bet 38 Special and 32 Mag would be fine, but I'd not be the first one to try 300 BLK. They look rather feathery.
Wish I'd snagged one of those little Rossi 357s that looked like a crude(er) H&R when they were available.
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Post by Encore64 on Oct 13, 2023 12:48:58 GMT -5
I put my money where my mouth is this morning.
My LGS had a gorgeous Henry Single Shot 357 Magnum. Anyone care to speculate on where it lives now?
Beautiful wood, fit and finish made it irresistible. Price point was at or below what a TC Barrel will cost these days with no wait time.
This is brute strong gun available in 243 Winchester and other high pressure cartridges. This one will work with cast bullets through the FA83 353 Casull Loads.
It'll be a different thread, but I'll get there...
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jeffh
.375 Atomic
Posts: 1,606
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Post by jeffh on Oct 13, 2023 15:51:15 GMT -5
........ It'll be a different thread, but I'll get there...
I'll definitely be watching THAT thread too!
I see exactly what you mean on the cost of the Henry compared to a Contender barrel. Since you started this thread, I've started looking at barrels again and for nothing fancy, but what I WANT, it'll be over $500, with no sights or even D/T'd up front. I'm wanting a 24" tapered barrel for this particular endeavor, but don't even see it as an option at MGM. Not sure on SSK - don't feel like submitting my biography and a DNA sample just to use their barrel configurator.
I will add though that SSK has 357 MAX (WHY NO MAG??) and 300 BLK barrels, ready to go with a scope base and threaded up front, for UNDER $400. Trouble is - they are all 16" or 20".
MGM? I like their barrels, but they have moved out of my budget's zip code since I got my last one.
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Post by Encore64 on Oct 13, 2023 15:57:53 GMT -5
EABCO.COM will build the barrel you want, but be prepared to wait.
This gun was under $450. I'll add a hammer extension and scope will be good to go.
The 38 Special/357 Magnum is unusually similar to the 360 #5 Rook. Just as the 327 Federal is to the 300 Rook.
On the other end of the spectrum, Buffalo Bore lists their 357 Mag 158 grn at 2153 fps from a rifle. This is accurate as I've done the same with Lil Gun Powder.
I'll also be trying some of the hard cast coated wadcutters. These can be pushed pretty hard from a rifle and hit small game like a hammer...
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jeffh
.375 Atomic
Posts: 1,606
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Post by jeffh on Oct 13, 2023 18:32:58 GMT -5
Your list of attributes of the 357 Rook Rifle is why mine is a 357. There are other more exciting, unique or interesting cartridges, but this one is tough to beat.
The lowest load I'll list here IS within published data, but I've shot even lighter loads, but:
4.5 grains of Unique, with an unsized, tumble-lubed 148 grain wadcutter, seated in an unsized case is very economical, accurate, effective and QUIET;
4.5 to 6 grains of Unique, behind a 158 grain SWC or RFN is slightly more accurate at 50 yards, but not AS quiet;
4.5 grains of Unique, behind a plain-based 180 grain WFN is VERY accurate at 50 yards, quiet and delivers some additional "thump."
These are suppressed loads, but aren't very loud without it either.
HP38 and W231 are exceptional with the lighter loads, but I focus mostly on Unique for logistical reasons.
If I want to use it for deer, I can stoke the 180 WFNs or 190 grain RDO with a slow "magnum" powder (300 M P) and get ten-shot averages which include a round or two which actually exceeded 1800 fps. I have a 200 grain mould I've not found a compelling reason to try yet - the 180 grain NOE WFN and the 190 grain RDO are just too easy to get going fast and so accurate.
Works in my revolver too.
Brass is relatively easy to find/afford, dies are very easy to source, the selection of bullets or moulds is quite extensive, small pistol OR rifle primers can be used (I've experimented a good bit) and there aren't many shotgun/pistol powders that won't work in it...
It's easy to get AS excited about the 357 in this role as some more "interesting" cartridge without it knocking the shine off the idea of still using some other cartridge later or simultaneously. There's basically never not a use for a 357.
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Post by Encore64 on Oct 14, 2023 7:56:31 GMT -5
I had resisted the appeal of a 357 Magnum Single Shot, but gave in.
It actually makes a lot of sense here. Since our Primitive Weapons Season recognizes 35+ Caliber, Single Shot with an Exposed Hammer, this is legal for all game here.
It'll be a while before I give this one a good working out. But, I'll get there...
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Post by needsmostuff on Oct 14, 2023 9:19:56 GMT -5
Maybe getting beyond the scope of "Rook rifles" but that new 36 Buckhammer looks like a load it up, load it down, cast bullet shooter to me.
Henry seems invested in it so looking forward to that being available in a single shot.
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Post by Encore64 on Oct 14, 2023 9:29:43 GMT -5
Maybe getting beyond the scope of "Rook rifles" but that new 36 Buckhammer looks like a load it up, load it down, cast bullet shooter to me. Henry seems invested in it so looking forward to that being available in a single shot. I'm on the waiting list for one. But, nothing yet. It's not even listed in the new Henry Catalog... |
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brant
.30 Stingray
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Post by brant on Oct 14, 2023 13:33:40 GMT -5
I saw where Henry now makes that single shot in 350 legend. It doesn’t have the rim that some of us prefer, but if someone doesn’t load ammo, it is available at all stores where I live.
Funny about the 357 Huey. I am working on a deal now for one myself.
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Post by Encore64 on Oct 14, 2023 15:25:38 GMT -5
I saw where Henry now makes that single shot in 350 legend. It doesn’t have the rim that some of us prefer, but if someone doesn’t load ammo, it is available at all stores where I live. Funny about the 357 Huey. I am working on a deal now for one myself. That's great Brant. Hope that works out for you. Most of my renewed interest revolves around some of the excellent PC Bullets available these days. They're a game changer in cast bullet rifles... |
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Post by txtrout on Oct 16, 2023 21:40:51 GMT -5
I wish y'all hadn't started the "rook" rifle talk. I've been on the fence with this concept for years and had put it to bed.
Now I'm being enabled again!
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jeffh
.375 Atomic
Posts: 1,606
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Post by jeffh on Oct 17, 2023 9:22:56 GMT -5
I wish y'all hadn't started the "rook" rifle talk. I've been on the fence with this concept for years and had put it to bed. Now I'm being enabled again! One of the best things about a "rook rifle" is t hat it wont become a superfluous curiosity in the back of the safe quite as easily as many of our infatuations do.
It's ALWAYS useful, ALWAYS economical, ALWAYS pleasant to shoot, ALWAYS fun to mess around with.
My version is by far my most used/most useful gun these days, and I wish I'd done it forty years ago. About thirty years ago, a fella who's table was behind mine at a small show (we shared the space between) offered me a magnificently conservative custom on a Martini action in 357. He tried to talk me into buying t for two days and made me a very acceptable offer price-wise.
It was neat, I loved the action, well executed, handy, "cute" and just a superb little gun, but I couldn't figure out for the life of me what in the world it was good for. I'm not sure exactly when my head finally emerged from my butt on that count, but I wish I'd have been wiser at the time. He seemed to know how much I would appreciate it and pestered me, trying to get someone who WOULD appreciate it adopt his baby after he could no longer get out and play. Mine would be the absolute LAST long-arm to go.
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Post by x101airborne on Oct 18, 2023 7:37:31 GMT -5
On the 357 note, (from memory, it has been a while) a 000 round buckshot is a slip fit into a 357 Mag or 38 case. A 0000 buckshot resized makes a little football of a pellet and if not driven too fast is pretty danged accurate out to 50 yards. If you are lucky enough to get two loads to co-witness with the sights you can carry a full hunting load in the chamber and a, what I call a "pellet load" for small game in your pocket. I think I was driving mine with 3.5 grains 700X in a 38 Special case for the 000 buck. This has been long ago I played with this so I may have my 0's mixed up but you get the idea. Use at your own risk.
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Post by Encore64 on Oct 18, 2023 7:51:25 GMT -5
On the 357 note, (from memory, it has been a while) a 000 round buckshot is a slip fit into a 357 Mag or 38 case. A 0000 buckshot resized makes a little football of a pellet and if not driven too fast is pretty danged accurate out to 50 yards. If you are lucky enough to get two loads to co-witness with the sights you can carry a full hunting load in the chamber and a, what I call a "pellet load" for small game in your pocket. I think I was driving mine with 3.5 grains 700X in a 38 Special case for the 000 buck. This has been long ago I played with this so I may have my 0's mixed up but you get the idea. Use at your own risk. This is VERY similar to the approach I take. While I don't load the buckshot pellets, I do load both full power and "Rook" style loads in the same guns. I've started using Mil-Dot or BDC Scopes. You can generally sight in full power loads and learn to use one of the lower dots or marks to lob in cast bullet loads... |
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