First and foremost, what about the later Peabody hammerless actions? US manufacture and famous target rifles to boot! Killdeer, What Cheer, etc.

IMO the hammerless exclusion rule was initiated because of fears of 'unfair' competition, initiated by folks who were afraid of being outgamed and beaten by obviously superior actions. Also fears of allowing the overly-common Ruger No 1 and all the 'great unwashed' owners thereof, folks who, no doubt, did not have the proper spirit of the game in their souls (VBG).

They were right. How the sport has changed! Nowadays it seems like the gamers have taken over.
Borchardts forever, Joe

I was around when the rules for BPCR were formulated. The whole idea is we had a couple of fellows who had original "Buffalo" rifles ('74 Sharps and Remington Rolling Blocks). They loved their rifles, wanted to shoot them a lot but there was NO competitive games for them. So, they invented a competitive game for THEIR rifles. They desired to formulate the rules so that their REAL buffalo rifles (including the Trapdoor Springfields) would remain competitive. So, they tried to rule out other rifles (which really had little impact in the Buffalo fields) to protect their brands. Since their brands were THE buffalo rifles, I have little criticism to make. That's the game and if you wish to participate, follow the rules.

Rule making is a complex project and there are NO rules that make everyone happy. I think that BPCR has done well. I have personally criticised them in the past but in general I must take off my hat to the originators of this fine sport (Doc Carlson was one of the two but I have a brain cramp and cannot remember the other gentleman - maybe someone here can chime in).

That's my take on it ("That's my story and I am sticking with it" ).

Dale53

Leadball nailed this down good with the statement "smart ones get the Stevens". Popularity is not always a good reflection of anything other than marketing and questionable  public taste! (Look at the popular crap on TV)  Based on strength, the ability to interchange barrels, good customer service, my pick is the CPA Stevens 44 1/2. Don't let anybody kid you that other exposed hammer single shots have a faster lock. Prove it. I understand that tests have been done showing no practical differance between the CPA and the Ballard. It there is information to the contrary I hope someone puts it forth. (I have owned and fired in competition Millers, Hi-Walls, Low-Walls, a Ballard, and two Stevens) I know this is reactionary but I would love to have a muzzleloading schuetzen that did not have to be cleaned between shots.

Dick

Joe;

    I agree with you re: the Miller inclusion. I also agree that the Borchardt and maybe some I wasn't aware of should have been included but in general I don't have a problem with the "sprit of the game" thing. It is true that they are all legal in the original BPCR competition which is the Creedmoor style matches.
    I am happy someone came up with a game that gave me an excuse to buy a period rifle and go shoot it until I'm giddy FWIW, I wasn't attracted to the silhoutte thing just to shoot metal critters. I wanted a "buffalo rifle" since 8th grade and here was a way to actually do something with one.

In the rule book I have on hand (2003) the Maynards and Stevens Tip-Ups are mentioned in the list of examples of rifles legal for BPCS.