Rolling Blocks

[Mark Terry]

I've always liked the looks of the old Remington Rolling blocks and always wanted one. About 20 years ago I found one I could afford in .43 Spanish and took it home intending to have it made into a heavy barreled varmit gun.

It never got transformed and I ended up giving it to a friend who was essentially house-bound caring for his dying wife. He needed something to occupy his heart and mind much more than I needed a rolling block. It eventually became a first class .45-70.

When I look around at Gunbroker or other places, I see more .32 rimfire rolling blocks priced reasonably. Can these actions be used or converted to centerfire? Is there some other place to start for a custom rolling block?

I don't know why this has entered my consciousness at this point in time other than Gary's post earlier. Beautiful gun, Gary.

[Bisley]

Hello, Mark Terry, Yes these old .32's can be converted to c.f. by plugging rimfire pin hole & re-drilling for c.f. pin. Best if done by competent gun smith familiar with this work. However...These .32 ctg. used either a "heeled" or hollow-based bullet. The "Heeled were the first, the bullet is just like a .22l.r. with bullet maj. dia. same as case dia. , with a smaller dia. "Heel" going inside case. Later to get around the outside lube, bullet was made smaller dia. to fit inside case, & hollow base added to let it slug up to groove dia. That said, you will need one or the other type bullet for your c.f. case. Mr. Brett Boyd over at the Single-Shot Exchange can help with gunsmith & loading info.
[phone]. Good Luck!

[Gary @ R&G]

Depends on what caliber your wanting to build. The 32 rf you see on GB are #4 actions which is a smaller action. I use the #1 black powder action or #5 smokeless action to build on. I wouldnt think you would want to build anything more than a 32-20 or other pistol caliber on a #4. With the #5 you can build about anything BPCR wise. It is a little beefier allowing you to octagon it without comprising the action. You can usually find a project rifle in the $300 range. Womacks sells #1 actions for $350.

[Gary @ R&G]

Oh and thanks for the compliment. I am working on a 50-70 Custer rifle. It should be nice.