Falling block works action strength
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Swampman
Old Fart
Hodgdon has 32-40 data, but it all looks like low pressure loads suited for original black powder rifles.
The only primer they show for all loads is the Remington 2 1/2 Large PISTOL Primer.
If you wanted modern loads why didn't you get one of them ultra modern 30-30's designed for that newfangled smokeless powder?
The only primer they show for all loads is the Remington 2 1/2 Large PISTOL Primer.
If you wanted modern loads why didn't you get one of them ultra modern 30-30's designed for that newfangled smokeless powder?
Hodgdon has 32-40 data, but it all looks like low pressure loads suited for original black powder rifles.
The only primer they show for all loads is the Remington 2 1/2 Large PISTOL Primer.
My falling block was built in the 1970s and weighs 16 pounds without a 2 inch unertl scope. There is limited info on the falling block works company which was in Michigan USA, its a massive action compared to traditional actions.
I am willing to bet it can handle modern loads, I just didn't want to be the first to make that bet.
If you wanted modern loads why didn't you get one of them ultra modern 30-30's designed for that newfangled smokeless powder?
Dave DeLaurant
Member
Rifle magazine just did a write-up on their action in .225 Winchester.
https://www.riflemagazine.com/falling-block-works
I had my Ruger No.1 rebarreled and rechambered to .32-40 a few years back.
I've just been interested in target loads so far, using cast lead bullets over IMR 4227, but you could try substituting some of the stouter .30-30 load data in your particular rifle. I've been using reformed .30-30 brass in mine, which ends up a little short in the neck.
One nice thing with a single-shot is that you can use spitzer bullets. Is your rifle's barrel dimensioned for .319" or .323" bullets?
https://www.riflemagazine.com/falling-block-works
I had my Ruger No.1 rebarreled and rechambered to .32-40 a few years back.
I've just been interested in target loads so far, using cast lead bullets over IMR 4227, but you could try substituting some of the stouter .30-30 load data in your particular rifle. I've been using reformed .30-30 brass in mine, which ends up a little short in the neck.
One nice thing with a single-shot is that you can use spitzer bullets. Is your rifle's barrel dimensioned for .319" or .323" bullets?
gpb
Member
To the OP: What is the rifling twist rate in your rifle?
In the past I have considered purchasing a single shot 32-40. My use would have been as a 100 yard target rifle shooting cast bullets in the velocity range of 1200 to 1400 fps. One thing that always struck me about the 32-40 rifles was the common twist rate of 1 in 16. I suspect, but don't know, if that rate was a vestige of black powder lead bullet loads in the 32-40.
Perhaps someone with experience loading 32-40s with the common 1 in 16 twist could offer how that twist affected bullet selection and velocities for accurate target grade loads.
In the past I have considered purchasing a single shot 32-40. My use would have been as a 100 yard target rifle shooting cast bullets in the velocity range of 1200 to 1400 fps. One thing that always struck me about the 32-40 rifles was the common twist rate of 1 in 16. I suspect, but don't know, if that rate was a vestige of black powder lead bullet loads in the 32-40.
Perhaps someone with experience loading 32-40s with the common 1 in 16 twist could offer how that twist affected bullet selection and velocities for accurate target grade loads.
What I found about a Falling Block Works action:
Falling Block Works
Falling Block Works, Inc was founded by Joe and Leo Fix in Troy, Michigan in 1971, Their intent was to offer rugged single shot rifle actions. The actions were investment cast of 4140 steel, heat treated to Rc35-40. They manufactured the following actions: Model "H" receiver width 1.375"; Model "L" Express Action receiver width 1.470"; Model "J" receiver width 1.312"; Model "S" receiver width 1.270" and the Model "K" receiver width 1.050". The breech blocks moved perpendicular to the chamber, all were fitted with Mann-Niedner firing pin bushings exept the model "H" which had a cross pin firing pin retainer. The actions utilized coil mainsprings and coil springs for lever tension, firing pin and trigger. The Fix Brothers made the workings of their actions as simple as possible. Actions were polished and blued. Actions were supplied with through bolt for buttstock attachment. Single triggers were standard and to my knowledge set triggers were never offered. An S style lever (like Winchester high wall and Stevens) was standard. Actions were never offered for rim fire.
Options: Loop levers; 3 finger spur Schuetzen lever (Pope); Winchester schuetzen style lever and loop levers. Also offered was Tang sight adapters for Model"J" and for the smaller Model "S" actions.
Action strengths of the Model "J", "L" and "H" was advertised to be 100,000psi (strain gage) and 67,400CUP value.
1980 Prices: Model "K" $168.00 retail $125.00 dealer
"J" $185.00 $140.00
"L" $210.00 $157.00
"H" $185.00 $140.00
"S" $185.00 $140.00
Optional Levers ranged in price from $34.00 to $40.00.
Having barreled many FBW actions (mostly Model "J") and having used one myself in 32-40 for 25 years and having fired in excess of 50,000 rounds the action has proven to be very accurate and reliable, the only problem I've encountered during this time was a broken main coil spring.
http://assra.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl?num=1105807667
The J action looks to be a variant of a Winchester M1885
Given that this action is made of modern materials and post WW2 manufacturer, it should be very strong, plenty strong for any load that does not blow primers. You are lucky to have one
Falling Block Works
Falling Block Works, Inc was founded by Joe and Leo Fix in Troy, Michigan in 1971, Their intent was to offer rugged single shot rifle actions. The actions were investment cast of 4140 steel, heat treated to Rc35-40. They manufactured the following actions: Model "H" receiver width 1.375"; Model "L" Express Action receiver width 1.470"; Model "J" receiver width 1.312"; Model "S" receiver width 1.270" and the Model "K" receiver width 1.050". The breech blocks moved perpendicular to the chamber, all were fitted with Mann-Niedner firing pin bushings exept the model "H" which had a cross pin firing pin retainer. The actions utilized coil mainsprings and coil springs for lever tension, firing pin and trigger. The Fix Brothers made the workings of their actions as simple as possible. Actions were polished and blued. Actions were supplied with through bolt for buttstock attachment. Single triggers were standard and to my knowledge set triggers were never offered. An S style lever (like Winchester high wall and Stevens) was standard. Actions were never offered for rim fire.
Options: Loop levers; 3 finger spur Schuetzen lever (Pope); Winchester schuetzen style lever and loop levers. Also offered was Tang sight adapters for Model"J" and for the smaller Model "S" actions.
Action strengths of the Model "J", "L" and "H" was advertised to be 100,000psi (strain gage) and 67,400CUP value.
1980 Prices: Model "K" $168.00 retail $125.00 dealer
"J" $185.00 $140.00
"L" $210.00 $157.00
"H" $185.00 $140.00
"S" $185.00 $140.00
Optional Levers ranged in price from $34.00 to $40.00.
Having barreled many FBW actions (mostly Model "J") and having used one myself in 32-40 for 25 years and having fired in excess of 50,000 rounds the action has proven to be very accurate and reliable, the only problem I've encountered during this time was a broken main coil spring.
http://assra.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl?num=1105807667
The J action looks to be a variant of a Winchester M1885
Given that this action is made of modern materials and post WW2 manufacturer, it should be very strong, plenty strong for any load that does not blow primers. You are lucky to have one
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