Remington Rolling Block Action?

[The Trinity Kid]

Hi y'all.

So, I was wondering if y'all had any idea how much a Rolling-block (centerfire) action that is safe to use would go for?  I'm kind of wanting a rolling block, but for sure and certain can't afford one that is already built.  So I'm wanting to get an action, barrel and stocks all separate (hopefully cheap, too) and build it my self. 
I guess this is two questions in one, then.  A)  how much is an action, and B) will it be less expensive and feasible for someone with little experience? 

--TK

[ndnchf]

I've seen complete military #1 actions selling for around $300-$400 and complete military rifles in oddball calibers for not much more.  For someone with little experience at this sort of thing, it can be a challenging job to build one from components. Years ago Numrich Arms sold a "Buffalo Rifle Kit" that included a new, heavy .45-70 octagon barrel, stock, forend and hardware.  Basically you just swapped all the parts onto a #1 action and you had a buffalo rifle ready to go.  I had one many years ago and had a lot of fun with it at minimal cost.  There are a lot of them still around.  I saw one on gunbroker last week for a reasonable price. You might consider buying a good military rifle and shoot it for a while. Then if you want to upgrade, you can either use that action or buy another.  Nothing wrong with having more than one.

[The Trinity Kid]

Interesting idea there.  One more question I thought of last night.  Are the receivers caliber specific?  Will a 45-70 action work for a 45-90, or 45-110?  Will the primer be in the correct place?

--TK

[ndnchf]

There are small variations in receivers, but they are not generally caliber specific, except for rimfire vs centerfire.  There are some rare oddball variants which are exceptions to this, but most are the same.  However, the extractor would have to be modifed to fit a specific cartridge rim.

[The Trinity Kid]

That's what I was figuring.  hmmmmm......well.  I can give it a go, I suppose.  And if it doesn't turn out, You'll be seeing an ad in the classifieds section...

--TK

[Blair]

TK,

I would not suggest this type of alteration unless you a very familiar with what may be required to complete it.
Just a thought on my part.
My best,
Blair

[Pettifogger]

I think I have a rolling block built with the Numrich kit.  If you are interested let me know and I'll see if I still have it around here someplace.

[The Trinity Kid]

Blair;  How do you mean? 

--TK

[Blair]

TK,

I am suggesting a rather great deal of knowledge, tooling and equipment specific to building a firearm from a receiver.
These are things that you might best explore after you have finished your primary schooling and diside on what you really want to do with your life.
Blair

[The Trinity Kid]

You have a point.....

How about this.  I'll lay out my entire plan, step by step, and you all tell me what you think.

1.  Get a receiver that will handle a 45-70 or other 45 express rounds.

2. get a barrel chambered for same.

3. have gunsmith install barrel on receiver, and put on a front sight.

4. find a stock, and put on the gun.

5.  install  a tang sight.

6.  make a bunch of smoke.

Naturally, I'll have the gunsmith make sure the ejector will work for the specific cartridge, as well.


What do y'all think?

--TK

[Pettifogger]

Unless you really want a custom gun it will cost you more than buying a Pedersoli or other good quality rolling block that is already built.

[The Trinity Kid]

Really?  think, think think.......hmmmmm.  wow.  uh... 

Does it really cost that much to get a barrel screwed into the receiver? 

Are my idea for parts pricing that far off?

Receiver.  $250 tops.

Barrel.   $200-300

Stocks. $50

sights.  $80

Plus smithing, which could be anywhere around there.

Am I close?

--TK

[Blair]

TK,

Depending on what you want... you could have $900.00 to $1,000.00 tied up in just getting all the parts and pieces needed for the build.
Once you have everything (and this may take years) you can start the build, providing you have the skills and tools to do it yourself. If you don't, then you can expect to pay another $600.00 to $1,000.00 to have it assembled and finished.
What I would suggest, is start researching RB's to find the style you like the most, and then start getting the parts and pieces needed to build that style/type rifle.
I hope this helps.
My best,
Blair

[Lucky R. K.]

Hi y'all.

I guess this is two questions in one, then.  A)  how much is an action, and B) will it be less expensive and feasible for someone with little experience? 

--TK

A.
I think your estimated costs for parts are all low except possibly for the barrel. The last action I bought (about 6 years ago) cost $350.  Just any Rolling Block action will not work if you plan to shoot smokeless powder.  You will need an action manufactured near the end of their production which were made for smokeless.


B.
Someone with limited experience could not do what you are talking about (no offense intended).  The machine work to the barrel requires cutting threads that were proprietary to Remington and most gunsmiths want no part of cutting. Unless you have fitted barrels (indexed flats to the action, cut chamber setting head space, etc.) you probably would not want to attempt it.

I would suggest that you look around for an original chambered in .43 Spanish and just shoot black powder in it.  I haven't been around the game for awhile but you used to find one in good shape for a reasonable price.  Brass is now being made for them and good bullet molds are available.

When you consider the aggravation factor, you would probably better off buying a reproduction.

Lucky

[ndnchf]

TK - I think you really need to take the time to think this through and decide what you really want.  That being said, here is a link to a Numrich Buffalo Rifle conversion of a military rolling block.  For all the work and expense involved, this appears to be an affordable rifle to start with.  I used to have one similar to it and enjoyed it for many years.  I have no connection to this one, just saw it listed so I thought I'd pass along the link.

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=380957392

[The Trinity Kid]

Perhaps I'll just start looking around for a "decent condition" military model, maybe in 45-70 or 50-70........

I still would like to have one built from scratch, but maybe I'll start saving money, and do it over the next 5+ years.....



--TK

[Pettifogger]

Like I said in an earlier post I have a rolling block that was converted using the Numrich kit.  If you are interested I'll send you some photos.

[Blair]

TK,

Check out Pettifogger's suggestion.
It may prove to be a good deal for your needs.
Many of these 'kits" used original receivers.
This is the type of research I am suggesting you do.
My best,
Blair

[Ranch 13]

Hi y'all.

So, I was wondering if y'all had any idea how much a Rolling-block (centerfire) action that is safe to use would go for?  I'm kind of wanting a rolling block, but for sure and certain can't afford one that is already built.  So I'm wanting to get an action, barrel and stocks all separate (hopefully cheap, too) and build it my self. 
I guess this is two questions in one, then.  A)  how much is an action, and B) will it be less expensive and feasible for someone with little experience? 

--TK

Look around some , you can find all manner of used rollers in good shape and ready to run for less money than you can get the action and the barrel for.  It's not uncommon to find a good used Pedersoli or Uberti rolling block for 600$, any barrel worth having a gunsmith install is going to cost close to 300$. Unless you have your own lathe and the experience to thread and index a barrel etc, most rebarrel jobs cost about 500 + the barrel.

[PJ Hardtack]

I had the identical Numrich conversion in 45-70. It had a 1x22" twist, if I recall, slow by today's standards. They also offered a version with a half round/half octagonal barrel that weighed slightly less.

With that crescent butt plate, it got your attention with any kind of a load! That's why I sold it. It had an extractor that didn't function very well. I think it was one of the 7mm actions, not designed for a rimmed case. Didn't function as well as the rotating extractor on the Argentine .43 Spanish I have.

TK - I think you really need to take the time to think this through and decide what you really want.  That being said, here is a link to a Numrich Buffalo Rifle conversion of a military rolling block.  For all the work and expense involved, this appears to be an affordable rifle to start with.  I used to have one similar to it and enjoyed it for many years.  I have no connection to this one, just saw it listed so I thought I'd pass along the link.http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=380957392