Modern Falling block rifles

[KingMedicine]

Weird question thats rolling around my head guys. In this day and age, would you ever be interested in buying a new production single shot falling block rifle? I mean, we have such options with magazines and such, but does this still have enough following to drive a new product?

Also, What calabers would you want for them? Just curious of the public opinion....

 

[Crawfish141]

Ruger makes the No. 1, they're pretty slick. I'd consider one chambered for larger cartridges (.375 H&H, .416 Rigby, 45-70 Gov, etc.). Of course blued steel and walnut is a plus. Also, a good diopter sight would be nice too.

 

[MMCSRET]

I have a Ruger #1 in 45-70. I cast my bullets and load my own ammunition, to the best of my knowledge the rifle had never had a factory round or a jacketed bullet fired in it. It is short, light, fast handling and very comfortable to shoot with the ammunition tailored to the gun. It has beautiful wood with great color, figure and checkering. I am very proud of this rifle, it is so easy to shoot well that it makes me look good every time I'm out with it.

 

[Robert]

What about a modern reproduction of an antique rifle? I would love to have a Sharps rifle.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

Such rifles already exist, in an almost bewildering array of configurations and calibers from varmints to elephants. They're called Ruger No. 1s.

 

[PreMod70]

Hard to beat the Ruger Number 1 for it's purpose, still waiting for them to produce a .22LR., there is a market for a high quality rifle in that round.

 

[oldfool]

Google up Browning/Winchester 1885 Low Wall commemorative
beautiful guns, elegant
would love to have one in maybe 223 or 22 WMR, just too stiff a price for me
such things can be found on gunbroker for like $1300

 

[Finprof]

Do you mean a new design or a reproduction of an existing design from the 1800s?

There are several companies that make versions of the 1885 Winchester. Remington made a reproduction of its Falling Block and might still do it. There are a couple of companies that are making Ballard reproductions. CPA rifles makes a reproduciton of the Stevens 44 1/2.

It isn't very hard for a custom aker to tool up to reproduce any of the old guns. There are also a couple of new designs.

Given teh choice, I would go with the CPA rifles version of the Stevens or a Ballard reproducution. I would get one if there was anywhere around here that shot Black Powder cartrdge rifle silhouette.

 

[Jim Watson]

I was shooting my Browning/Miroku/Badger "Highwall" .40-65 this morning.
Nice rifle. 3/4 MOA doesn't sound like much until you think about the lead bullet and black powder.

There are all sorts of "modern" single shots.
Dakota has their own No 10 and also makes DeHaas-Millers.
I don't think Mr Hall is building single shots any more, a pity because the one I saw was very nice and very accurate.
If you have lots of money to put into a single shot, the Hagn is a fine piece.
I thought somebody was still making Fraser single shots but cannot google it.

 

[Slamfire]

If you, like I, are really only going to punch holes in paper, then a single shot rifle will do fine.

Of the 19th century designs, I really like the Martini Henry action and John Browning's M1885 High Wall.

So I got a modern version in 45/70 that while not completely original, is close.

 

[DPris]

Remington did their rolling block.
And my Shiloh Sharps .45-70 is the finest rifle I own.
There's a market.
Denis

 

[Jonny V]

I've secretly been dreaming of a high grade Sharps in 30-378 Weatherby for years. I hate belted magnums too, the surest sign of an idiot at the range is his belted magnum. Still, a Sharps in 30-378 would be like a hot ham and swiss, and a whole bag of chips too!

 

[Rexster]

Yes, there is a market, and these rifles exist. My first one was a Browning 1885, actually made by Miroku for Browning, chambered in .45-70. I traded this one for a Ruger No. 1 in .375 H&H, and later added another Ruger in .45-70. As time passes, I think I could get by just fine with nothing but single-shot falling-block rifles for all rifle purposes except defense, whether that be defending family and home from two-legged intruders, or defending animals under my care from four-legged predators. (Human or animal, some predators run in packs.)

Future dreams include a nice Sharps from a maker such as Shiloh, or perhaps a Rolling Block from a maker such as Lone Star.

 

[HOOfan_1]

I'd love a Ruger No.1 and a Browning B78.

I don't really care about the huge calibers though. I'd take 7x57 or .243 or .260 Remington or .257 Roberts

 

[SaxonPig]

"In this day and age, would you ever be interested in buying a new production single shot falling block rifle?"


Yes, I believe I would...





I might even be interested in a Martini...





Or a rolling block...





Or a trapdoor.

 

[rugerman]

I've got 2 Ruger #1's and I'd love to know how many deer have been killed with them, my .270 has been my primary deer rifle for at least 20 years, both my sons killed their first deer with it and when a friend needs to borrow a gun to deer hunt with espically if its for a first time hunter its the one that I lend out so lots of first deer have fallen to that rifle

 

[Jim Watson]

I've secretly been dreaming of a high grade Sharps in 30-378 Weatherby for years.

Somehow, I don't think the guys at Shiloh or C. Sharps are standing by for that order.
Shiloh will tell you that their guns will handle Ruger level .45-70 but that is way below a Weatherby.