Guns & Outdoors Forum

I think I have my mind made up and of course the gunsmith has the final word but playing mental exercises here.

Think classic single shot rifle (Farquharson) that will be configured as a "walking rifle". I've been playing with options in my head and had discussions with our in-house mad gunsmith and of course he is the final decision making as far as what can be done. I have several classic single shots that will do for far away, but the only one single shot I have that is suitable for a scabbard/walkabout gun is a high value and rather ornate trapdoor. I LOVE that gun and not that I'm afraid to use it, it has been shot quite a bit so far, but it really is a pretty Sunday gun and I'd like to keep it nice.

Soooooooooo, I'm thinking an open sighted 20-22" barreled big bore in .50 if the receiver dimensions work or .45 if they don't. It's a classic but yet strong action so again after gunsmith nod I think we can get creative, and the dominant question is:

Should I do a 50-90 or a .500 S&W, ooooooor maybe a 45-70 or a .460 S&W or even a ,454 Casull?

The intent is to handload and launch big hunks of lead at moderate speeds since I can't think of any reason this will ever be called upon to shoot at more than 2-300 yards at best, and even that is a stretch. Actually I'd like to take a bison at walking distance with it sometime next winter/spring.

Every option except for the 50-90 has easy over the counter ammo available if I don't feel like hand loading. But I have access to a TON of 50-90 components right now because my son--in-law reloads for it. So the idea of having a LARGE boomer in a portable package is really intriguing. And yes this will have a metal buttplate because I ain't scared of a bit of recoil and even with short round tube I can't see this puppy coming in at less than 10-12 lbs so I don't think recoil will be a problem with any of the options.

But again, I'm trying to figure out any angles or choices I have not considered so throwing this into the family pool to see what floats.

You're pondering a 47-70, how about a 450 Marlin? Since you hand load mild loads are easy but if you really want to rock the world the 450 might be a nice option.

If you choose 500 S&W, I've got a barrel sitting on the self. Just sayin

Oh I suppose whatever you come up with will be pretty darn nice!!

Single shot do it justice
50-90
You have access to all you need

Could go old school 500 BPE

Logistics (IE factory ammo) always matter in my world, so for me the .45-70 gets the nod as an appropriate intersection between classic and available.

Freezer wrote: ↑Tue Mar 17, 2026 10:23 pm You're pondering a 47-70, how about a 450 Marlin? Since you hand load mild loads are easy but if you really want to rock the world the 450 might be a nice option.

Don’t know that the action would be compatible with a belted case. I will admit I’ve been intrigued by the idea of a shirt action bolt gun in that round.

sakodude wrote: ↑Tue Mar 17, 2026 10:39 pm If you choose 500 S&W, I've got a barrel sitting on the self. Just sayin

Hummmmm, really?

Elk Creek wrote: ↑Tue Mar 17, 2026 10:57 pm Oh I suppose whatever you come up with will be pretty darn nice!!

Actually wife is coming up with it. Surprise Father’s Day gift.

JunkCollector wrote: ↑Tue Mar 17, 2026 11:27 pm Single shot do it justice
50-90
You have access to all you need

Could go old school 500 BPE

That is the current thinking…. Like I said, just wondering if I missed anything in my thinking.

shotgunshooter3 wrote: ↑Wed Mar 18, 2026 12:50 am Logistics (IE factory ammo) always matter in my world, so for me the .45-70 gets the nod as an appropriate intersection between classic and available.

It WOULD be the practical and logical choice, and it might be if the action doesn’t have enough meat for a .50 cal barrel. But 45-75 is also in the running and so is 50-95 if I decide to get a matching Win 1876. Both of them reloading propositions but I think I found a source for real brass.

But 45-70 would still give me an option of smokeless or BP use. The rest of those are bordering on being exclusive BP propositions.

I with SS3. 45-70. Off the shelf ammo from trap door safe to rattle your teeth buffalo bore. Save brass and reload to the same.

And in a pinch I can shoot the stuff I make for my 45-60 too. Yeah, makes a lot of sense…

This is clearly the purview of the classic, rimmed, smokeless cartridges. Crack open your copy of Cartridges of the World to the "British Sporting" section, then study up on Jim Corbett, and let your imagination run free. The .40-ish rimmed calibers would be right at home. .405 Winchester would assuredly not suck. There's also a flanged version of the .375 H&H that would give you a .30-06 trajectory. . .with payload.

The 1885 High Wall is something of a successor to the Martini - at least in terms of function of open, load, close, shoot. . .or just find a Ruger #1 in an appealing chambering.

Barrel length. . .unless you're running optics, you might want to re-think that 20"-22" plan. If you want a front sight your geezer eyes can see, you'd better stick it out around 25+" away.

Wambli Ska wrote: ↑Wed Mar 18, 2026 4:46 am And in a pinch I can shoot the stuff I make for my 45-60 too. Yeah, makes a lot of sense…

So you're gonna do some obscure round only Andy and Tom know about

Wambli Ska wrote: ↑Wed Mar 18, 2026 2:52 am

sakodude wrote: ↑Tue Mar 17, 2026 10:39 pm If you choose 500 S&W, I've got a barrel sitting on the self. Just sayin

Hummmmm, really?

Yep, you may recall some years ago JSD unveiled a Mosin nagant he had rechambered to 500 S&W. Well that got my attention since I had a perfectly suited donor Mosin collecting dust. Bought a barrel and just never got my poop in a group to get it sent off. No longer have the interest but still have the barrel though it may be too short for your application.

sakodude wrote: ↑Wed Mar 18, 2026 1:36 pm

Wambli Ska wrote: ↑Wed Mar 18, 2026 2:52 am

sakodude wrote: ↑Tue Mar 17, 2026 10:39 pm If you choose 500 S&W, I've got a barrel sitting on the self. Just sayin

Hummmmm, really?

Yep, you may recall some years ago JSD unveiled a Mosin nagant he had rechambered to 500 S&W. Well that got my attention since I had a perfectly suited donor Mosin collecting dust. Bought a barrel and just never got my poop in a group to get it sent off. No longer have the interest but still have the barrel though it may be too short for your application.

How long?

Bigslug wrote: ↑Wed Mar 18, 2026 5:07 am This is clearly the purview of the classic, rimmed, smokeless cartridges. Crack open your copy of Cartridges of the World to the "British Sporting" section, then study up on Jim Corbett, and let your imagination run free. The .40-ish rimmed calibers would be right at home. .405 Winchester would assuredly not suck. There's also a flanged version of the .375 H&H that would give you a .30-06 trajectory. . .with payload.

The 1885 High Wall is something of a successor to the Martini - at least in terms of function of open, load, close, shoot. . .or just find a Ruger #1 in an appealing chambering.

Barrel length. . .unless you're running optics, you might want to re-think that 20"-22" plan. If you want a front sight your geezer eyes can see, you'd better stick it out around 25+" away.

Funny enough I just found my copies of Cartridges of the World and I'm looking... I had a Ruger #1 tropical in .458 Win Mag and that is kind of what I want to recreate except a slightly lighter gun and somewhat lighter recoil.

As far as sights my eyes are good to pick up front sights. I have slight problems with distance but nothing that would hinder shooting this as intended. I might go nuts and find a vintage front with a real elephant Ivory bead. I've used those and they are awesome for shooting at game. This is not a target rig, just a shoulder, aim, press the trigger gun. I love my long barreled heavy rifles but it sucks to hold them offhand unless you have a short gun bearer to lean on and the wife is starting to complain...

shotgunshooter3 wrote: ↑Wed Mar 18, 2026 10:57 am

Wambli Ska wrote: ↑Wed Mar 18, 2026 4:46 am And in a pinch I can shoot the stuff I make for my 45-60 too. Yeah, makes a lot of sense…

So you're gonna do some obscure round only Andy and Tom know about

Maybe even one they haven't heard of...

Wambli Ska wrote: ↑Wed Mar 18, 2026 2:37 pm

sakodude wrote: ↑Wed Mar 18, 2026 1:36 pm

Wambli Ska wrote: ↑Wed Mar 18, 2026 2:52 am

Hummmmm, really?

Yep, you may recall some years ago JSD unveiled a Mosin nagant he had rechambered to 500 S&W. Well that got my attention since I had a perfectly suited donor Mosin collecting dust. Bought a barrel and just never got my poop in a group to get it sent off. No longer have the interest but still have the barrel though it may be too short for your application.

How long?

Actually longer than I remembered at 27" and it's 1.5" round blank from Green Mountain.

We really need to do an intervention, get Wambli actually out hunting

sakodude wrote: ↑Thu Mar 19, 2026 2:33 am

Wambli Ska wrote: ↑Wed Mar 18, 2026 2:37 pm

sakodude wrote: ↑Wed Mar 18, 2026 1:36 pm

Yep, you may recall some years ago JSD unveiled a Mosin nagant he had rechambered to 500 S&W. Well that got my attention since I had a perfectly suited donor Mosin collecting dust. Bought a barrel and just never got my poop in a group to get it sent off. No longer have the interest but still have the barrel though it may be too short for your application.

How long?

Actually longer than I remembered at 27" and it's 1.5" round blank from Green Mountain.

Ok, very interesting. I need Justsomedude to tell me what I can get away with first. In the meantime another contender had entered in the race, .444 Marlin!

Chiro1989 wrote: ↑Thu Mar 19, 2026 3:13 am We really need to do an intervention, get Wambli actually out hunting

Yes!!!!! We do... It's been a bit.

So what do you have and how is it currently configured.
I want pictures.
Show and tell time

JunkCollector wrote: ↑Thu Mar 19, 2026 3:30 pm So what do you have and how is it currently configured.
I want pictures.
Show and tell time

There is no current configuration so no real reason for pics yet. I have "parts" headed to our in-house gunsmith courtesy of my wife

He'll get them, give me an assessment of possibilities and we'll make decisions. He's doing the work I can't do since I have no mill and lathe (something I might try my hand at in the future) and I will try to actually build the thing. Once we have a barreled action to play with I can do updates as the build progresses. I have woodwork and such to do but now I have the room, supplies and tools to work!!!