Home Forums Hunting & Shooting BPCR Pedersoli rolling block

Got a chance to grab one (30" octagonal barrel, higher grade wood, silver fore-end tip, pistol grip, ladder sights), for a not bad price.

Any thoughts on them?

Oh, it's a '90, and I can like that.........

45-90, 50-90 or 1990???

I really like my rolling block (an original, not a Pedersoli). Had I had it built and finished before I ordered my Shiloh Sharps, I wouldn't have ordered the Sharps. If you're asking about a XX-90, I think you would like either the 50 or the 45. I have no great experience with either, though, as I only have boring 45-70's . . .

Sorry, .45-90.

There are no flies on the Pedersolis, or the .45-90. It has all the power any sane person would ever need, meaning it can handle targets to 1000 yards or more, and kill just about anything that walks. It not difficult to load for, although brass is a bit more than .45-70. You can use .45-70 loading dies, at least I have been able to do so. Most .45-90 shooters go with Starline brass. It's good stuff, although it needs to be annealed. Pretty routine step for us BPCR shooters.

If the price is right, I'd say go for it.

Paul

Well, I got it.

Rifle (sans venier sight), Lyman 3-die set, 100 cases (97 virgin), and I'm into it less than $700.........

I can live with that.

Are you planning on using black or smokeless?

Pedersoli is BP only, and that's fine with me.

I'm a black powder only guy, and have been for years. Do you have a mold, and what are you planning on for bullets?

Haven't got to the mold part yet...... I figure 500-550 grains, 1-20 to 1-30 cast, but haven't gotten much further than that yet.

Definitely open to suggestions, though.

The go-to bullet for the .45 BPCRs is a Postell weighing about 535 grs. As good a bullet to start with as any. You can buy them precast from various sources, and prelubed, or you can lube them yourself. SPG lube is a standard. You don't need a lubrisizer. A .060 veggie wad over the powder. If you didn't get one with the rifle, you'll need a compression die.

Here is a good guide to get you started, and priced right (free). Some of the stuff is a bit dated, and some I don't agree with, such as sifting powder. You don't need to do that, especially with Swiss. Still, it's a good start with a lot of good info.

http://www.ssbpcrc.co.uk/Resources/Introduction%20to%20BPCR%20Loading.pdf

Feel free to ask any question you may have, and I'm sure I can help, as can some of the other posters here.

Paul

If you want to hunt, the Lyman 457125 Govt. bullet is in a class by itself. 82 to 85 grains of 2f will push that 520 grain round nosed bullet to something in the neighborhood of 1275 fps and it will shoot through and through any critter you get in your sights. I have killed American bison with it and used it in Africa. So far, I haven't recovered a bullet, as I have gotten complete pass throughs on everything I have shot.

If you want to shoot target at distances over 350 yards, the Lyman Postell 457132 at 535 grains has a better BC and shoots a bit flatter when you get beyond 400 yards.

You will find that the 1-18 twist in your barrel will not give very good accuracy with the lighter bullets, but that Pedersoli barrel is top notch and the 1-18 twist is in love with those two bullets.

Use the same powder charge with either bullet, and cast them at 30-1, and you and your roller will be a couple of happy campers.

Fellas, I am MUCH appreciating the assistance!

Figured out exactly the model. It's a Pedersoli John Bodine model, made specifically for Cherry's Fine Guns of Greensboro, NC, with the double set triggers, and from the breech face to the muzzle it's a 34" barrel. Damn................

The bore slugs to .457", or just a RCH under.

I figured you took a trip to Cherry's. Their website is quite the pick-me-up if your feeling out of sorts.

Did you know that black powder is an aphrodisiac?

It wasn't at Cherry's. It was orphaned at a pawn shop in Asheboro.

I hate to see orphans. I've done my best to keep 'em from going to the orphanage when my friends just can't support them anymore.

If you made out with 7 bills in it, you did good. Real good.

Last I remember that was a 4 digit shootin' iron.

You are intending to hunt with it, right?

If it's a standard, Cherry's lists it for about $1,700. If it's a deluxe (and the wood is rather nice), it's about $2,300.

Of course I intend to hunt it. Silly question..........

Quite a deal you got. Now with all the money you saved you can rationalize buying all the additional junk it takes to play the BPCR game.

A 34" barrel might be a bit unwieldy for hunting. Another problem is fouling, which becomes more of a challenge with the additional length. If you ever decide it's just too much, it would be no big deal to have it lopped shorter. Most silhouette shooters seem to be going with 30", because of the weight limitation and for the offhand chickens. Long range shooters typically go with 32", although there are 34 inchers out there. I had my Shiloh .45-90 cut from 34" to 32", and like it better.

I've never gotten into paper punching competition, but I use my .45-90 for gong shooting matches, that is steel out to 1000 yards. Great fun with a great bunch of people.

Paul

You may want to consider this addition to your paraphenalia
https://www.sageoutfitters.com/cgi-bin/commerce.cgi?preadd=action&key=40103

Sean, The link in the post above is a great resource fo BPC needs, Harlen is a friend and a all around great guy.

If you like the Roller I do have knowledge of a custom that could be had for the price of a new Pedersoli.

However, my suggestion for a BPC rifle is a HEPBURN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Nathanial you ever shoot at Alliance?