Are the actions of modern DR's on par with the action of a Ruger #1. Years back I was working up loads for my #1 and tried them in a lever action
and damaged the lever action. The actions of the
Merkels and Sabattis I've seen appear heavy duty
but what is the reality?
Thanks

A falling block action is capable of higher pressures and more back-thrust than a break open action.

Both, however, are strong enough for their intended use and cartridges.

Compared to a #1 all break open actions are weak. With a DR the exceptions are few. Mr Bailey Bradshaw makes a falling block DR that is an exception. But you don't need to hotrod a DR round to get it to work.

quote:

Originally posted by Lilguy:
Are the actions of modern DR's on par with the action of a Ruger #1. Years back I was working up loads for my #1 and tried them in a lever action
and damaged the lever action. The actions of the
Merkels and Sabattis I've seen appear heavy duty
but what is the reality?
Thanks

No! The modern double rifle with a traditional break top action is not as strong as a Ruger No1. period! I will say the same for most bolt-actions as well!

When the proto type No1 was being tested it was loaded to far above the BLOW pressures for a bolt-action and fired from a distance. The chamber was split, and barrels bulged but the block, and mortise held! I doubt that a bolt-action that would still have the bolt in the action after one round like that! I’m quite sure as well that a break top double rifle action would have been destroyed with that load that had to produce several thousand pounds of chamber pressure and reverse thrust!

The Ruger No1 is about the strongest shoulder held action on the market today for hunting! I agree that Bradshaw’s falling block would be the exception, in double rifles, but I still wouldn’t try the No1 test on it either!

As New Guy says the double rifles made today are quite adequate for the rounds they are chambered for! And has been said there is not need to hot-rod a cartridge in a double rifle, and the factory rounds are perfect for the rifle, and the game recommended for them!

...................................

quote:

Originally posted by new_guy:
A falling block action is capable of higher pressures and more back-thrust than a break open action.

Both, however, are strong enough for their intended use and cartridges.

I have heard that said many times but I find it hard to believe that a typical under lug action with a Greener crossbolt would not be as strong as a falling block action

quote:

Originally posted by goshoot:

quote:

Originally posted by new_guy:
A falling block action is capable of higher pressures and more back-thrust than a break open action.

Both, however, are strong enough for their intended use and cartridges.

I have heard that said many times but I find it hard to believe that a typical under lug action with a Greener crossbolt would not be as strong as a falling block action

Then you have to ask why do "typical under lug action with a Greener crossbolt"
come lose ?

The number of lose Greener's i've seen would say otherwise.

They are strong actions for sure, but they do come lose.

.

Greatly exagerated comparison but think about an H&R break top revolver compared to a Ruger Blackhawk. No hinge on the falling block rifle.