I've seen or heard of any attempt for a hammerless breechblock. The lock time is already pretty fast and they can be speed-locked so I'm not sure what the advantage would be. I think it would be a fix for a problem that doesn't exist. The only change to the breechblock I'm aware of is a change to the angle of the firing pin.
On another note, I've been curious about the striker breechblocks that Arthur Hubalek used in his Ballards. Did those Ballards shoot any better?

That would be a tough proposition. Hepburn uses a spring and rebounding hammer to retract the firing pin. Maybe some sort of manually operated plunger firing pin, but don't see the advantage.
Chuck

I have several Ballards with the Pope hammer conversion (speed-locked, lightened hammer, self-cocking) and with the improved lock-time it's hard to imagine that the striker breechblock would be that much of an advantage. I had the opportunity to buy one of the Hubalek Ballards but passed since I couldn't shoot the rifle in .22 BPCR Silhouette matches.

Quote:


Competitive shooters are "competitive" shooters. If there was a striker Hepburn out there that was winning matches, rather than the above quote, it would be "how do I get one", "who would be willing to sell me one"?

That is the reason that there are so many Millers on the line, people in competition will not give up anything.

Frank

Many shooters have no choice but to go with an action with an exposed hammer. Several disciplines do not allow hammerless actions.

One of our better shooters created a striker block for a Lo-wall some years back,  very creative and unique. It may have been written up in the Journal  but he seldom uses it anymore.    but the rifle he is using now is a very low production custom action that may also be a striker.

I'd posit that you;d have to look at the differences between offhand and dedicated bench rifles and action usage.   I'd think that a faster lock time would be a significant advantage in offhand shooting, but other than Martinis, I don't see many striker actions in play (at least at EG)  I get the impression that the offhand game seems to appeal more to "traditionally-oriented" shooters.
I know that in other areas there are offhand shooters who are using Millers etc  At EG I don't think I have ever observed a Miller in use for offhand.

And also consider all the other factors that go into a winning score, quality loads and condition management skills.  I'd dare say that any of the top shooters could take your rifle and your loads at your bench and beat you with your own gear.

Why not convert a striker action to operate with a side lever?