Pedersoli Rolling Block 45-70?

[kevinsmith5]

Anyone know how strong the action is on this? How hot can it be loaded? Is it a "BP Only" action?

[ncsurveyor]

check out these:

http://www.cherrys.com/ped_cart.htm

[NickSS]

I own a Pedersolli RB in 30-30 and have owned a couple in 45-70.  They are good strong rifles of their type but Pedersolli tests their 45-70s for a 28,000 psi load.  This is above a Trapdoor but below a ruger number 1.  Loads suitable for the Marlin are probably safe but some guys over load them.  Personally I mostly use black powder but have used smokeless.  Keep the loads down around 1600 fps with a 400 gr bullet and you will be safe.

[Dezynco]

I think the "Sharps" rifle is a very strong action, but traditionally used for relatively low pressures.  The action will probably stand much more than has been "proof tested", but I wouldn't experiment.  I'm absolute positive that the Pedersoli replicas will withstand any off-the-shelf factory ammo without any problems.  It's only when you start handloading that you realize the full potential of the old "buffalo" cartridges, but most of the top-end loads are way too much for the old actions like the Trapdoors and lever-actions.

Falling block actions are some of the strongest actions ever built, but if you start monkeying around with unproven loads, you are risking embarrassment, the cost of your high-dollar rifle, and in the worst case, injury.  I have launched some pretty hot loads from my Pedersoli 45-70 including jacketed 405 grainer's with Reloader 7 and IMR 3031 pushing 2000 fps.

I still prefer to shoot real black powder and big lead bullets because no matter how you shake it up, the 45-70 was designed that way.

[TLARbb]

But, a rolling block and a Sharps are two different type actions.  I'm not that familiar with the rolling blocks.  I'm thinking that the Sharps action is a lot stronger, but again I just don't know how the rolling block action locks up for firing.

EJ

[Brithunter]

Hmmm the rolling block is locked by a cam surface on the hammer and it's stronger than it would first appear. However once you start loading higher pressures than those the maker recommends your on your own. I believe that the newly made ones are stronger than the originals as they're made of better steel but I have no proof of that.

If you use the wrong powder then you acn have a bob in your hands as some idiot discovered with an original Rolling Block on Bisley's Short Siberia range where he blew one up using pistol powder. Luckily it was winter and that fact probably saved an innocent shooters life as when the Rolling Block detonated part of the action side was caught up by the heavy winter coat the shooter two lanes away was wearing and that reduced the penetration of the shrapnel to only just inside the chest cavity. The shooter and handloader survived mores the pity as it seems this is not the first gun he has blown up. A supposedly educated man shooting with a Universaty shooting club. It seems he was mumbling  over and over again in the ambulance:-

Not again... Not again 

On examination his handloads appeared to be filled with Red Dot powder in an 11mm Black Powder rifle  the rifle gave way sideways and not more directly to the rear so the camming action lock appears to have held even under extreme pressure but the BP action could not hold and split which is why he survived I can only assume.