Falling Block

[2022Otto]

Is the Ruger Falling Block considered equal in accuracy to a good Bolt Action:

Seems to me becuase it is simpler, less parts etc a Falling Block 308 would / should long range be more accurate than a bolt. Longer barrel, solid action?

You can tell by this question I am rather new to rifles.

Thanks for the patience,

Otto

 

[C-grunt]

I had a Ruger #1 7mm Mag that I bought off my uncle when I was 16. I ended up selling it after I cracked the stock and couldnt afford to fix it at the time:banghead: . It was the best rifle I have ever owned. I wasnt the best shot back then, but I remember it being a very accurate rifle with factory hunting ammo.

 

[MacPelto]

The difficulty with falling block actions is that they typically have 2 piece stocks, one of which is attached to the barrel. This is not necessarily true, viz some of the BSA internationals, but is usually true.

Mac

 

[Jim Watson]

Certainly a good single shot with a good barrel will be an accurate sporting rifle. But for target shooting, the one-piece stock and symmetrical lockup of the bolt action have the advantage. My bolt action Long Range rifle is a single shot any way, if a falling block offered any advantage, you can be sure I'd have one.

 

[JesseL]

I think the real limitation to accuracy on falling block actions is that they don't have any practical means of handling rounds that are sized for zero headspace.

Bolt actions can get away with having very tight chambers becaus they cam forward when the action is closed. It's hard to duplicate that feat with a falling block when the round doesn't drop all the way into the chamber.

Issues like having a two piece stock (not a problem for ARs is it?) and the lack of opposed locking lugs (it would be trivial to build a falling block with 360 degree locking), aren't insurmountable.

 

[Jim Watson]

Compared to a Ruger single shot or a Winchester bolt action, an AR hardly HAS a stock in the conventional manner. It is all metal-to-metal attachment of aluminum, steel, and some plastic; with no side pressures or opportunity for warpage. See also Tubb 2000.

Frank DeHaas designed a single shot with symmetrical locking. Target shooters don't seem to be knocking down the doors to get them built, though. The old Ballard chambers its rounds with zero headspace and is still popular in BPCR with jam seating of heavy cast bullets. Pity it isn't strong enough for .308.

Friend of mine has a very accurate .223 Ruger No 1V. Too bad the rifling twist is not adequate for Long Range or we would find out. I know a guy who got to test a shooting but unfinished Hall single shot and it was wonderfully accurate. But it cost a lot more than a comparable bolt gun.

 

[rockstar.esq]

Leave it to Ruger!

They make one of the last modern falling blocks then don't bother about accuracy.

Just like the mini 14/30 LOOKS like a scaled down M1A but isn't offered in the full size .308 version because they couldn't figure it out.

How friggin hard is it to copy/modify an existing gun design to offer something usefull to a wider range of shooters?

 

[TimboKhan]

Rockstar.Esq,

You should change your name to "I hate Rugers" and be done with it.

BTW, we are RL buddies, so this isn't some sort of sneaky personal slam, mods. Plus, he really should change it to that.

 

[44AMP]

Ruger Single shots

Can be quite accurate. I have two of the old No.3 rifles, one in .22 Hornet, and the other in .45-70. The No.1s are often quite accurate, and if not, there are a few simple things that often correct the problem.

They are not usually Benchrest accurate (few factory rifles are), but they are fine for hunting, even varmints. My .22 Hornet goes about 1 moa with factory ammo, and the .45-70 can do slightly better with some handloads.