It seems that several of us had .50-70 Govt. Rolling Block projects going. Mine is finally done. I was going to put it together myself. However, when I was a Quigley, the C. Sharps folks had a nice rolling block in their tent that they assembled. It turns out that they will now put together guns for customers. After pricing out what I wanted, I found that after I bought a reamer and head space gauges, and paid to have the metal parts cased and blued, it was only going to be a few hundred dollars more to have them assemble the rifle. They are much better craftsmen than I am, and the gun is even prettier in person than in the photos. I have included before and after for your viewing pleasure.

Very nice let us know how it shoots

Holy WOW! That's a head-turner.
What's she weigh, all up?

Have not put it on a scale, but at a guess, I would say about 9-1/2 pounds. Can you say elk rifle? I hope to get loads worked up by November when the season starts.

They sure did a fine job on the color casing. I keep coming back to the photos and drooling ...

And at the price they charged to assemble it, I could not pass it up. We have had C.Sharps build four other rifles for members of our family, so I was pretty sure of what I would get. The great thing is that it is actually nicer than I expected. John is out of the day-to-day operations, and I think the quality, which was decent, is even better now with the guys who are running the business for him.

Dave, 30-inch barrel?
I had John Taylor fit and chamber a 30-inch Green Mountain full octagon on my 1875 Carl Gustav action probably close to 8 years ago and I regret to say she weighs 11 3/4 pounds. Considering having it cut to 28 inches and having it turned round from forend to muzzle to see if that will help with the balance. It's about time I get this project finished so I can shoot the darned thing.

loud-n-boomer,

That is a beautiful rifle.
Well done!


Bill/Oregon,

I believe he has the same barrel I have on my rifle.
L-N-B recommended Oregon Barrel Works. Glad he did.
Mine is a winner.

Groove is .510" diameter, barrel is 28" long, tapered octagon, 1.100" at breech, 0.900" at muzzle, across the flats, 1:24" twist.
That duplicates the barrel profile of Custer's Rolling Block sporter, 50-70 Govt.
His twist may have been as slow as 1:42", don't know, but that was all the rage for 450-grain bullets at onetime.
It worked very well for him on elk and grizzly bear in the Black Hills from 1872 to 1876.
In 1876 he died with his boots on, and with that rifle nearby if not in hand (revolvers).

I have done some load development that L-N-B can rely upon for his rifle,
if he has the same barrel as I have on my Rolling Block:

http://forums.accuratereloadin...1007002/m/4281043332

Remember that thread?

BTW,
I am now working on a "Big Sixty" Sharps 1874,
and the 20 Gauge 3.5" Ex Purgatario is now known as the 60-240 Sharps 3.5".

http://forums.accuratereloadin...4711043/m/9591068532

I am skipping right over the 50-140 Sharps 3.25".


Rip
.

Hi RIP.

It is indeed the same barrel as I suggested to you. Thanks for the reminder on the loads, I am hoping to kill an elk with the gun in November.

Dave

Dave, how's she shoot? What do you think of that Rough and Ready rear sight in actual use?