I know the Ruger 1 is probably the most popular SS going, but say you had $6k to spend.....(some of you already do, I....Don't) what would be your choice and why?

I have a Ruger 1 in .300 Weatherby mag ( It was my father's gun, and was rechambered from .300 Win. Mag) and love it, but I am a nut over break actions.

HOW DID YOU HAPPEN TO PICK $6 K ????? ESP IF YOU DON'T HAVE IT

WHY NOT $8K.....$3 K ????

CHECK OUT THE MERKEL SINGLE SHOTS

quote:

Originally posted by tomo577:
HOW DID YOU HAPPEN TO PICK $6 K ????? ESP IF YOU DON'T HAVE IT

WHY NOT $8K.....$3 K ????

CHECK OUT THE MERKEL SINGLE SHOTS

Perhaps he's waiting for daddy's money, too!

How about a side lever a la Daniel Fraser.
Here's mine in the works now as a 405 Win.

Tomo,

I used $6,000 as a figure as it seems to be a middle ground for high quality rifles in several variations. While it won't buy a London Best, it could fund a variety of nice aquisitions.

I've looked over the Merkels, kreighoffs and Hyems. All very nice, but don't have the "look" I enjoy. No questioning the quality, just expressing a personal taste.

Bailey, A Break Action is different than a Falling Block. For a brake action I'll take a double.

For a single shot, I'd choose a Ruger No.1 chambered in .416 Rigby.

I think I would have my friend Clayton Nelson build me one of his Farquarson's in 450/400. I think I could get him to do a rather basic one for $6000.

Well, under 6k removes one good possibility (an original Sharps), but you could still find a pretty decent Ballard Pacific for that sort of money and a very very fine 1885 Winchester.

Why these? Because they come with history, stories and experience that a new gun will never have (in your life time).

Brent

I know a break action is different than a falling block, and I agree that doubles have a special place. What I enjoy about break action singles is their trim frames and better handleing and carrying attributes.

I had a booth at the DSC show last weekend. The Gentleman I shared the booth with had a sweet little Dakota model 10 that fit the trim and refined size I like, but something about a break action that just does it for me.

well i guess i am at a loss to suggest anyone who is making a top lever break action single shot of quality today.

probably someone is , but i don't know who.

what do you plan on using it for, and what cals interests you ?

the europeans (austrians especially) make such rifles but i do not think 6k will get a new one.

chapuis shows some in their catalog as do some italian makers, but sorry, i don't know prices. tomo

I guess to be a favourite, it would have to be a pleasure to look at, to shoot accurately and to give the best memories of hunts and shoots where you've used it.

Given the inherent history and character of the design, it's hard to go past a good Sharps

You can purchase a Hagn or Hein Farq action for somewhere around $2500. Butch Searcy has also purhased the equipment for making the Brookings single shot, a close facsimile of the Hagn. I'm pretty sure you could complete the project for under $6K, especially if you can do some of the work yourself.

Some years back I had a very nice Thompson break action single shot in 22 Donaldson Wasp. Had a really weird safety but I really liked the rifle even if making brass from 30-30 was a pain. I believe it was called a TCR Aristocrat or some such. It was sleek and brutally accurate but have no idea what it could be barrelled to or where you would find one. According to the BlueBook they were made in 375H&H and 416Rem. That was and is the only one I've ever seen.

True True, a Sharps has so much history and lore associated with it, owning one is possesing a piece of Americana.

I am one of those guys that is cursed with a taste far beyond my budget. I don't let that stop me though. My solution is to build what I like. I have a rifle plan I have been working on for close to four years now for a break action. It has evolved through opportunities to study and measure classics. All of the dimensions and mechanical functions are proven, so there isn't a new gimmic or inovation anywhere on it. I have more than adequate tooling ( wire EDM, CNC mill ) and experience in making high precision parts to do it justice. It may be another two years before I have a finnished action, but it's the journey I enjoy anyway.

My real intent with this thread was to become more aquainted with which actions are "real world" desireable. Also just to see if anything would be mentioned that I hadn't looked over before. There really is a hole in the market for nice break action singles. The Merkels, Blasers and Kerighoffs are very nice, just not my cup of tea, and there isn't much beyond them to my knowledge.

While I am a big fan of the Ruger No1, the Blaser K 95 I have is the most accurate hunting rifle I have ever owned.

Bailey,

It sounds like you’ve got a nice project going on there.

What kind of break action is in your plans? Sidelock? Anson & Deeley? Blitz? Something else? Would love to hear some more details.

I agree there’s something about a Kipplauf that’s quite appealing. Although a little over the 6K budget, I could see myself stalking Chamois in the Austrian or Slovenian Alps with this little number by Lechner & Jungl




cheers,

- stu

Hey Bailey,
I take it this is one of your blade designs?

Nice looking knife!



(ps. there's an error in the URL you listed on your profile. You've got a comma after the "www")

cheers,

- stu

Stu,

Now that is one sexy SS. I love hammer guns!!

Yes, that is one of my designs Browning picked up. They were made by Boker in Germany. Browning is coming out with the second pattern of mine. A little pearl handled gents folder.

As for my SS design. I have been working on the plans for about four years off and on. I would get back on it after inspecting another gun. I have borrows features from Anson Deelys, My own Ruger Red Label, Famars shotguns, Kreighof and a smattering of British bests. I don't see a SS a a dangerous game choice, so the big bores are outside the scope of my approach. I am planning a two barrel set with the larger calibre a .30 cal of some sort....perhaps a .338 Federal if the cartridge proves to fullfill it's claims. The smaller will be either a .243 or 6mm Remington. The two calibres would handle any hunting I currently plan to do.

What I am after is a nice and trim action with a refined feel similar to a nice double shotgun. I don't like heavy rifles unless the calibre needs it. The finnished product I hope to achieve will look somthing like a Fox 16 guage sized frame as a SS rifle, color case hardened frame with gold borders and french greyed, sculpted scrolls and game sceens. Nice, but not extravagant wood.

I am also a proponent of simple mechanics. Simple, strong and easy to maintain is the best feature IMHO.

Hello Guys

This thread is a bit like torture, you're talking the same language as me (tastes beyond my means etc) regards kipplaufs. I'd love to be able to get a nice refined action (done as a monoblock ??) to build myself a rifle on - its a real shame someone doesn't offer it. Even something like the BT-99 shotgun would be a possiblity if Miroku could be persuaded. According to my old German gunsmith friend, there were several small companies in Germany doing just that (making just actions) before the war. Sigh.

Any ideas on possible actions welcome.

Cheers - Foster

Foster,

I totally agree about the lack of availability of a kipplauf style action to build from. If I am sucessfull (I'm pretty darn determined to be), and I sense a good response, I will make efforts to get it into production on a moderate scale.

I displayed my knives last weekend in Reno at the ABS Bladesmith expo, which is held in conjunction with the FEGA/ custom gun makers guild show. MANY fine gunmakers, engravers and stock makers and some awesome guns on display. Only one maker with a break action single shot. Johnson is his name, and I never could catch him at his table. His had exposed hammer and seemed to be a snap action under lever. I didn't work the action without him there. Not one toplever single shot break action. Lots of falling blocks. Martini and Hagn were my favorites. Nice display, very freindly and encouraging to handle the rifles and outgoing to answer any questions. A true class act in my book.

I think there is a niche in the market for what we are discussing. Small as it may be, but still a desire. Maybe we can do something about it.

The T/C Encore with a whole bunch of money left over for extra barrels & scopes, maybe some custom wood.

Steve E.......

Bailey:

You might try one of Jimmy Johnson's actions. He makes both a side-hammer and a center-hung hammer tip-up or a side-hammer falling-block action for right around $2,800. The nice thing about his action is that each is hand made, so he will work with you on trigger guard style, release lever shape, and hammer shape.Jimmy can be reached at (816) 353-6423. He is new to the business, but the examples of his actions that I saw at the ACGG show in Reno were very nice looking.

Dave

Hey Dave,

I did enjoy looking over Mr. Johnson's actions. Just not quite what I am looking for.

I was impressed with the scaleing of the frames and little touches like the sculpting on his hammers and under levers. I wish he would have had a finnished rifle to handle, but the actions were very cool.

I like my Custom Encores . . .



I've heard good things about the Dakota single shots (have no opinion on them myself, but no one's mentioned them yet).

Troy

If you can find one, the Miller Arms is the finest SS action in the world.

Rich
DRSS

Bailey,
They are real hard to find but I am quite partial to the Farquarson actions. The downside is that a nice Gibbs action by itself will cost the better part of your $6K. The upside is that they came from the factory with awesome engraving.





Another version of farquarson, dad did this one several years ago.....



I am interested in seeing your action and would be into a trade if you are (1 or 2 actions for a stock job for your gun). We would have to work out the details. I might have met you at the ACGG show. My table was in the back right next to Luxus walnut's table.

Keep me posted with your progress they sound great,
Trez

Hensley and Hensley Gun Works

Trez,

Your offer is quite tempting!! I will certainly keep you posted on my progress. I am waiting for some corrosion inhibitor for me wire edm, once it arrives, I will be cutting the action and monoblock. Hopefully I can have them cut out over the weekend.

I recall seeing your booth at the ACGG show. Shows for me are usually blurry as I work late nights and weekends leading up to them.

The rifle your father did is wonderfull. Just awesome work!!

I guess for us regular mortals the econo #1 Ruger has to do. So we just keep on drooling.

Bailey,
The two rifles I will be building for Clay will have a very similar look. I work out of my dad's shop and have been and continue to be trained by him. In general, this is the Hensley style of stock making, each stock is a one of a kind and hand built however.

Here is a pic of the two I recently used to get into the guild (variations on our style). If you have seen these elsewhere on the forum, sorry about repeating myself, I'm quite excited about getting into the ACGG this year, it's a real honor.



As for a trade, I'm up for it but might need to have some custom stuff on the actions (depends on what they look like). It takes me about a month and a half to build and finish a stock and that's after you get to the top of the list. Therefore, the actions I start with have to be tricked out. To much work to do it otherwise.

I checked out your knives. Very nice stuff. Might have to work one into the trade, depending on how expensive the actions will be. I would want us both to be very pleased with whatever we work out as a trade. We can do that with PM when/if we do. Look forward to talking with you.

Zermel,
Nothing wrong with the Ruger . It's a good solid hunting rifle.....maybe not as pretty or custom fit to you but it functions well. As an artist, family man (wife and two kids), and having a son who is quadraplegic. I can't usually afford the work I do for others either. I do own a couple, but without all the engraving and awesome metalwork that I see go through my shop.

Stu,
Very nice rifle. I want one......... Pleeeeeeezzzzz.
Trez

Like you I fancy a kipplauf for compact storage, discrete transportation, and easy barrel swapping. My buddy's Merkel K1 in 7x65R is a thing of beauty and a proven deer gun. The Blaser K95s I've handled seem to fit me a little better though. The Dakota Model 10 (the rifle most Ruger Number Ones aspire to be) will just meet your budget if you elect no frills and live in a State with little or no sales tax. I try not to even look at them as I have a T/C Encore budget these days...

Here are a couple of H&R Kiplaufbüchsen in 6x47 and 257 Roberts. These are econo handyman complete with 24" octagon barrels.

The barrels were rebored from 223 H&R bull barrels. Both shoot 3 shot groups under a 1/2". They are home made by me and did not break the bank.

I have two Rugers #1 that shoot even better but not much.

Nice work Fred...The stocks sure look a lot better..Did you go to a smaller forearm channel to accommodate the oct. barrel?...

Low Wall.
Both rifles use the origional H&R forearms.
Two pieces of matching wood was added to the top to cover the gap left by the octagon barrel.

I retained most all origional parts the rear scope base was made form the H&R rail base. Both rifles have now individual scope blocks like the 257 R on top and Burris Z-rings with inserts.

Both rifles handle in a very dynamic fashion like a nice 28 gauge double with near perfect weight distribution.

For more info see my web page.
http://www.angelfire.com/ma/ZERMEL/indexcont.html

Bailey,
What's your estimate time for having a working model of your new action??

Trez,

I have cut a couple of the parts, the monoblock and am setting up to cut the action body. I am in no hurry on this one as I want to minimize mistakes in both design and exection. I would like to have a stocked action in the white bu next Januart so I can display it at the next DSC show.

Sounds cool. I look forward to seeing it.

Trez,

At the Reno show, did you have a shotgun with different chamberings in each barrel?

I'm not sure who's table that was on but it wasn't me. Sounds interesting.