For no good reason I am considering a single shot build for PBB, although something "different". At 73 there are a few good years remaining, and although my CPA 32-40 does very well, a full custom is desired, within reason. That eliminates the Millers and other high-end actions. The Searcy single shot action is attractively priced. I'd consider a shot-out Ballard as well. Looking at my full-on all-matching (even the tang site) Haenel Aydt, too sweet to mess with, I wonder if a Shilen L&G'd #5 barrel on a good action with DSTs would do the trick, appropriately stocked for benchrest. Any other actions to consider under 2K?
Bench rest PBB actions
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- Last Post 20 August 2021
Lots of question here and I'm not sure what I can add, are you breech seating? What's the twist on your 32-40 what bullet are you shooting? "a full custom is desired, within reason. That eliminates Millers and other high-end actions" What the heck is wrong with a Miller action that's about as good as it gets. I'm not familiar with the Searcy single shot action and for sure would not be overly enthused about a "shot out Ballard"! To improve on the 32-40 about the only thing that I would do would be chamber for a 32 Miller with a faster twist than normal and shoot a heavier bullet breach seated of course. Just a few of my thoughts.
RB
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You might like a Remington Rolling Block, re-barreled and chambered in a 32-40 or some other round. There seems to be quite a few of these out there. The original trigger sucks so you’ll need a trigger job. Maybe have the re-barrel guy mount Unertil scope mounting blocks on it. Those scopes can be found at gun shows, etc.
Tom
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although at risk of being drummed off the range by purists, it might be fun to get a Ruger 1 blinged out to a competitive level ...
lucky barrel, tricked up trigger and fitted and tuned fore-end.
maybe the underdog could bark louder ...
ken
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Were it me I would consider a Winchester High Wall too. Either an original one, modern replica, or best of all an MVA. Fitted with set triggers an MVA will be considerably less than $2K.
A Ballard would be my first pick though as long as you limited it to low pressure cartridges. A forged receiver #4, 5, or 6 Ballard is plenty good for stuff on the order of .32-40 (and more). Avoid a cast receiver as they're pretty much in the realm of rimfire only. Ballard set triggers were/are considered to be among the very best, and Ballard's quick lock time was the main reason it gained a huge following amongst the cognoscenti.
A CPA 44 1/2 would be mighty tempting, as well as their delicious variety of options for wood for on most classic single shots, including benchrest designs.
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although at risk of being drummed off the range by purists, it might be fun to get a Ruger 1 blinged out to a competitive level ...
lucky barrel, tricked up trigger and fitted and tuned fore-end.
maybe the underdog could bark louder ...
ken
Sounds good to me. I am doing that now in heavy class however my rifle throat is a bit too long. The action once had the 100 yard 10 shot heavy group record and it stood for years; has been bettered I think three times since. I have a good single se trigger but they are as far as I know longer available. The Ruger lock time is too long and the spring hanger creates issues detrimental to accuracy. Perhaps the hardest part of such a custom is finding a smith willing to take the work. I have been looking and not finding in the Northwest.
I have been given the advice to find a good quality bolt action as a basis to build a rifle that will be competitive, FWIW.
Pentz food for thought, define what you envision as competitive. In the PNW in PBB that is scores in the high 190's with often 1 point being the difference between winning and not. Records are still being broken. Enjoy your project.
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I shot with a tool and die maker who built his own underlever rolling block. cool as could be.
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Ken. If you're drummed off, we are going together, The Ruger #1 has two faults, 1) hammer fall and 2) forearm setup. I own six because I like them and for no other reason. After much work, I got four of them to sub-minute, one shooting 1.1 groups and one shooting 1.25 groups reliably. There is a lot of lead in the Windhill and Kenmore backstop getting there.
The first problem is light hammer strike. The design has a transfer bar from hammer to firing pin. my approach is to be sure the parts are burr-free and move freely, lightly lubricated. You can also stick a thin washer under the spring to strengthen the hammer strike. This keeps the trigger pull adjustment heavier but I don't mind as long as it is crisp. What I'm after is consistent firing pin strike for consistent ignition.
The second problem is the forearm setup. I experimented with brass shim stock on top of the forearm until I has a measurable gap between barrel and forearm. If this helped, I made a thin aluminum block that is inlet slightly into the forearm and slightly relieved the forearm bump to have a free-floated barrel.
The unanswered problem is where to set a breech-seating tool. The action does not drop down far enough to use the back of the action as a surface to engage the tool in my opinion. The obvious answer is to use a plugged case, which I used three decades ago on a Remington Rolling Block.
The last Ruger #1 I bought was a #1V in .220 Swift that shot sub-minute without any improvements; 37 grains IMR 4064 and a Sierra 55 grain softpoint boattail work well.
Farm boy from Illinois, living in the magical Pacific Northwest
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BTDT with No. 1 . Dont want another CPA. Guess Im down to the Aydt-type action (german threads) and the MVA with common thread. Thanks.
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MVA makes an 1885 receiver with DSTs. Just add a barrel and some wood.
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I vote for the Highwall! Great action and looks good too!
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Now THIS is a rifle match. Guns, OOM-PAH band and beer! Don't get any better.
(1573) Feuerstutzen- Schießen Maishofen 2009 - YouTube
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Bud
I have a No.3 built by Larry Thompson and Tim Mather, built about 1985, Larry built the gun and Tim put DST in it
wildcat chamber, 32Thompson, 32-40 with 1" of the case sized to .321, BS only
to speed the lock time, he cut the sear shorter, so when the rifle is cocked the hammer does not hang into the lever, Wolf mainspring, never had a misfire, always used Fed 210GM and Ball powder WC680, lately using WLRM and 300MP, still no problems with ignition
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