im looking to build a single shot rifle... i have various metal cutting and shaping tools to machine the receiver and parts without a mill or casting...

anyway, im trying to decide on which design to go with, my choice (resticted by blueprint availability) is the 74 sharps, 85 highwall, and 67 rolling block

i want a design thats going to stand up to the pressures of the modern, high power, 3,500ft/lb 45-70 loads... basically i want something thatll kick my ass and hit like a cannon for some far, far downrange impacts... (this is probably something i wont hunt with, as im thinking a rolling block 14" pistol in .30-30 would be better for that)

so, between the three designs, using modern steels, which will hold these pressures? if the rolling block can, id prefer this design as its simplist, and i love simplicity, however the falling block designs do automatically eject the cartridges, though rate of fire isnt an issue.

any advice as to which one of these would be best?

sad thing is, i really like the trapdoor design, but it cant handle the pressures i need.. so im looking at the rolling block and 1885 highwall designs now, these parts are easy to machine and shape without a mill, ive studied the receivers, itll take a while to do it, but im sure itll be fun...

someone posted a link to blueprints sold on here but i couldnt find any.. and if theyre not full scale, thats fine, i intended to use the purchased blueprints to copy into my 3D CAD software to make 3D models of the components in which i could use to print full scale templates for shaping them, also im working on a CNC router, itll have the strength to brass and aluminum, but not steel, so after this was built i was going to use the CNC router to cut plaster moulds i could use to cast wax components to cast in a lost wax process.. i just dont think ill need this in a highwall or rolling block design

thing is, i dont want to stop after ive done one single shot, i want atleast one single shot 45-70 with about a 30-32 inch barrel, and a single shot pistol with 14 inch barrel in .30-30 for ultra light-weight sub 200-yard deer hunting.. but afterwards i want to go more complex.. i want to build a lever action, preferably an 1866 henry or 1873 winchester design if possible, 92 winchester is definitely acceptable as well...

while we're on the topic of single shots... does anyone know where one could find any blueprints to any break-action designs? either over-under or side by side, i think it would be nice to have a 30-30 top and something like a .22lr or .22 magnum bottom for a combination big game/small game rifle

if someone wans to link me to the plans on this website that would be great.. i cant find them, and ive been strongly considering the highwall design since i can easily eject cartridges too for a rapid follow up shot..

i was thinking of fabricating a nylon shell-holder i could attach to my left forearm, so when i have to reload the single shot i just grab one

but.. the parts on the highwall receiver where the metal sticks out the side a bit, i wonder if i could use a metal cutting bandsaw or a sharply drawn line and a bench grinder with the piece leveled in a vice to cut the outside countour of the highwall?... for cutting internal components i was actually going to print a pattern from my 3D cad software, transfer it to the metal, then grind the piecs to shape.. then debur, heat treat polish, finish, and install

the highwall looks compact enough to make a single shot pistol.. but does anyone have any specialized plans for how to do this or is it up to my interpretation?... if one existed in the 1800s id like to copy that design for the 30-30 pistol, if not, i guess ill have to fab something similar in shape to a TC contender grip, and reshape the operating lever

btw.. eventually i want a single shot 30-30 pistol with 14 inch barrel, but first itll probably be a .45-70 rifle with a 30-32 inch barrel and a tang sight

Justin,

The link you want is :-

http://www.assra.com/Archivelibrary.htm

The paragraph headed Services had the list of rifle actions. The plans for each design are A4 size. The number of pages per action vary. Each set is I believe US$ 10.00 + p&p.

The Archavists Email and address is at the foot of the page. Rudi Prusock is very helpful and quick off the mark.

Harry

One thing you have to remember, while the materials may be 21st century the designs them selves are over 100 years old and in the case of the rolling blocks older still.Frank

I've seen one blown up RB and photographs of several others. They all came apart at the barrel / receiver joint. In other words, these failures could have been with any action if the metal over the chamber was too thin.
Despite its "weak" reputation,Ii have never seen a trapdoor failure.
Fred

The US Army tests of 1879 shot the TD at two miles with penetration of two wooden target boards a foot apart and 6-8 inches of sand. Like I said earlier I was and am NOT suggesting the TD for your purposes, but if you're trying to make a flat shooter out of a 45-70 I believe you'll be disappointed. I have been shooting this caliber for over 50 years and there ain't been much I haven't tried. For what you've indicated in your first entry here, I may be wrong but sincerely doubt that any of the old single shot actions will stand up to it, modern steel or not. Best of luck to you, but please be careful.

Dick

Alphawolf knows what he is talking about. several of his builds can be seen on the Home Gunsmith Forums (Your Projects). See:-

http://www.homegunsmith.com/cgi-bin/ib3/ikonboard.cgi?s=5249f357e1b9f8f933fbd775...

Just scan through the pages and you'll find them. It's a great site for the home gunsmith. Plenty of awe inspiring projects to be found there.

Harry