Rolling Block Conversion

[Coyote Roper]

I would like to get one of the old Remington style rolling blocks, I read about all the troubles with trying to get the .43 Spanish cartridges and making cartridges to work in them.

I can get a "Carl Gustafs 1870 Rolling block" fairly cheep, it is in 318 caliber.  Is this type rifle worth buying?

Can this be converted to an acceptable caliber, say 38-55 for shooting in black powder matches?

Is there a better caliber than the .43 Spanish that would be easier to load for or convert to a .45 caliber rifle round?

or can the .43 spanish be converted to 45-70 or similar?

[Coyote Roper]

Second thought, could a rolling block in 16ga or 12 ga have a sleeve inserted to shoot a 38-55 or 45-70 rifle cartridge?

[Ranch 13]

By the time you buy a barrel, and have it reamed and fitted, with the cost of the original gun , you're  better off to go Dixie web page and pick out one of the Pedersoli rolling blocks.

To sleeve one of the shotgun rollers would be quite a trick, and by the time you got a sleeved barrel in and the extractor rebuilt and fitted.......

[Hoof Hearted]

I would like to get one of the old Remington style rolling blocks, I read about all the troubles with trying to get the .43 Spanish cartridges and making cartridges to work in them.

I can get a "Carl Gustafs 1870 Rolling block" fairly cheep, it is in 318 caliber.  Is this type rifle worth buying?

Can this be converted to an acceptable caliber, say 38-55 for shooting in black powder matches?

Is there a better caliber than the .43 Spanish that would be easier to load for or convert to a .45 caliber rifle round?

or can the .43 spanish be converted to 45-70 or similar?

Coyote

I can supply you the contact info for an affordable alternative if you want to rebore............
But Ranch13 is correct in his statement to buy a repoop Italian rifle. Try watching the SASS Classifieds, reasonable priced used ones show up there frequently.

Good Luck on ya!

[John Taylor]

A liner can be put in a 12 or 16 gauge but it is just as easy to put one in a rifle barrel. Run about $300 for the liner install, the extractor would add to the price. Liners are used when the outside of the barrel is in good shape and there is lettering that you want to save,or a cheap fast shooter. otherwise it would be good to go with a new barrel. There are a few companies that make barrels already contoured, just need to be threaded and chambered, extractor cut and dovetail cuts. Then blue or brown if you don't want it in the white. A new barrel fitted to your action may run $350 to $600, or more if you want a high end barrel.
The Carl Gustafs  in .318 could probably be lined to 32-40 or 38-55. If the action is full size it could go to 45-70, 50-70 if it has the right breach block.

[Coyote Roper]

Thanks to all for your input, I think I will just save up for a repro. 

[French Jack]

If you are considering one of the Swedish Rolling Blocks such as the ones offered by Buffalo Arms, here is what you are looking at:
1. Rebarrel to a more easily obtained round-- this means cartridges like the 45/70, etc.  Cost for a Green Mtn. barrel-- $265 plus fitting to action.
2.  If using the shotgun model advertised, replacing or welding up the extractor to work with smaller case-- a 16 or 12 ga. shotshell is quite a bit larger than a 45/70 case.  For the rifle chambered at present to 8X58R or one of the 11 mm. rounds, you will not need to do that.
3.  Replacing or reworking the stock-- blanks may be had from Treebone Carving-- initial investment around $200 for wood, plus fitting and finish.
4.  Sights-- you are out the same for quality sights, whether you get an Italian repro or convert one of the Swedish guns.
5.  Bottom line-- close to $1000 to $1200 before sights-- unless you can do the work yourself or have a GOOD friend.