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Double Rifles, Single Shots & Combinations >> Single Shots & Combination Guns

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casper50
.400 member

Reged: 18/10/07
Posts: 1352
Loc: Alaska

Alex Henry rook rifle
#214151 - 07/08/12 06:52 AM

a few years ago I bought an Alex Henry hammer falling block rifle. It's a small frame rook rifle that was bored out to .410. I've had it at the gunsmiths for awhile now and he's finally getting around to making a new rifle barrel to match the old one. He asked me if I was sure that it was chambered for the .350 2 1/4" BPE. I showed him Wal Winfer's book page 60 the first paragraph. He doesn't believe that the small frame and barrel can take it. Was this a misprint? It does seem like an awfully small rifle for the cartridge.

Edited by CptCurl (05/10/12 08:56 PM)

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Huvius
.416 member

Reged: 04/11/07
Posts: 3530
Loc: Colorado

Re: Alex Henry rook rifle [Re: casper50]
#214157 - 07/08/12 08:59 AM

I am sure you mean 360 2 1/4"
This cartridge isn't all that powerful. It is a black powder round after all and I would think that a new barrel of modern steel will improve the margin of safety as well.
Cute gun for sure.

--------------------
He who lives in the past is doomed to enjoy it.

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bouldersmith
.375 member

Reged: 23/03/06
Posts: 611
Loc: Boulder Colorado

Re: Alex Henry rook rifle [Re: Huvius]
#214160 - 07/08/12 10:22 AM

It is the most common chambering in the small frame henry falling blocks, there are literally tons of them out there in .360 bpe. Should be a fun little rifle.

--------------------
New website http://www.bertramandco.com

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HistoricBore
.300 member

Reged: 28/09/11
Posts: 224
Loc: United Kingdom

Re: Alex Henry rook rifle [Re: bouldersmith]
#214209 - 08/08/12 02:05 AM

I have an Alex. Henry single shot rifle with Jones rotating underlever, serial number 5289, that is quite early - not sure when, but they fitted a new barrel in 1882... It is also chambered for the .360 x 2.25" cartridge, which it shoots very nicely. There was also a Rook rifle loading using coiled case and a round ball. It is easy to replicate this by sawing off the necked part of a .30-30 case and shoving in a .375" round ball with a pinch of your favourute pistol powder!

This cartridge was the first real 'Express' load, and was popular for Scottish Deer. My rifle weighs just under five pounds. Ross Seigfried wrote up something on a similar rifle in RIFLE about six years ago.

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lancaster
.470 member

Reged: 06/05/08
Posts: 8772
Loc: There's a lighthouse in the mi...

Re: Alex Henry rook rifle [Re: HistoricBore]
#214211 - 08/08/12 03:54 AM

I only know the coiled case with 300 grains paper patched bullet

here with a german made brass reloading die for the 9,3x57R 360

--------------------
Norwegian hunter misses moose, shoots man on toilet
.
bringing civilisation to the barbarians

Edited by CptCurl (05/10/12 08:56 PM)

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chuckT
.275 member

Reged: 11/07/11
Posts: 71
Loc: texas usa

Re: Alex Henry rook rifle [Re: lancaster]
#214221 - 08/08/12 09:04 AM

casper50, Page 10 of J. Kirton book "The British Falling Block Breechloading Rifle" shows a Henry that looks identical to yours. Lists the caliber as .360-2 1/2" Express. Chuck.

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DarylS
.700 member

Reged: 10/08/05
Posts: 26565
Loc: Beautiful British Columbia, Ca...

Re: Alex Henry rook rifle [Re: HistoricBore]
#214223 - 08/08/12 09:11 AM

Quote:

I have an Alex. Henry single shot rifle with Jones rotating underlever, serial number 5289, that is quite early - not sure when, but they fitted a new barrel in 1882... It is also chambered for the .360 x 2.25" cartridge, which it shoots very nicely. There was also a Rook rifle loading using coiled case and a round ball. It is easy to replicate this by sawing off the necked part of a .30-30 case and shoving in a .375" round ball with a pinch of your favourute pistol powder!

This cartridge was the first real 'Express' load, and was popular for Scottish Deer. My rifle weighs just under five pounds. Ross Seigfried wrote up something on a similar rifle in RIFLE about six years ago.

If a shortened .30/30 case works, then a .375Winchester or better yet, a .38/55 Winchester case would be better yet, as they are just at and just over 2" long. Much better than cutting 1/4" off an already short, 2" case.

--------------------
Daryl

"a gun without hammers is like a Spaniel without ears" King George V

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bouldersmith
.375 member

Reged: 23/03/06
Posts: 611
Loc: Boulder Colorado

Re: Alex Henry rook rifle [Re: DarylS]
#214226 - 08/08/12 10:03 AM

I make mine from 9.3x72r brass, easy as pie.

--------------------
New website http://www.bertramandco.com

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HistoricBore
.300 member

Reged: 28/09/11
Posts: 224
Loc: United Kingdom

Re: Alex Henry rook rifle [Re: bouldersmith]
#214261 - 09/08/12 04:54 AM

So do I for full power loads. The round ball loading is just for fun on our club indoor range. I thought that .38-55 cases were just a bit fat for this cartridge, but they are very rare here in the UK anyway.

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