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Hot Topic (More than 10 Replies) Falling Block Works action (Read 7382 times)
Blexter
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Falling Block Works action
Mar 17th, 2016 at 10:26pm
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I am a newbie on this site and request some info help please.

I have a fully engraved (aftermarket) J model FBW's action.  It is from the early 70's and never been barreled - 40+ year old new.
I have not decided whether to sell it or finish it.  If I finish it, what caliber and  barrel (round/oct) etc.
I do not know the market and have not been able to find much about it's value.  I will post pics when I figure out how.
Any info will be appreciated
  
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watchthewind
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Re: Falling Block Works action
Reply #1 - Mar 17th, 2016 at 10:32pm
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A 32-40 is never a bad idea  Smiley
  

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blk43
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Re: Falling Block Works action
Reply #2 - Mar 17th, 2016 at 10:46pm
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As recently as two years ago I bought two actions from Mr. FIX who is the owner.  The actions were $400 each and it's my understanding he is sold out.  I just purchased a complete rifle for $800 which I thought was exceptional.  Depending on the quality of the engraving it may be worth $800 to $1000, to me at least.  No offense meant, just my opinion.  I have 4 of the actions and love them.
Bruce
  

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Blexter
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Re: Falling Block Works action
Reply #3 - Mar 17th, 2016 at 10:58pm
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This action will accept almost anything up to 45-70+
It would be easier to chamber for a rimmed case because the extractor would need serious modifying for a rimless case.
32-40 would be fine
The question is,  I don't know the interest for such an old case as opposed to 7.62 Russian or 30-30 for example.  Does nostalgia rule or a more popular case?

What are the most popular "western" rounds or does it matter?
thanks
  
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JLouis
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Re: Falling Block Works action
Reply #4 - Mar 17th, 2016 at 11:02pm
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Up until about a year ago a new Model J from Leo Fix the maker was $400.00. He has no more left to sell and I beleave he and his brother will not be producing anymore all though parts are still available from Leo. It in my opinion is simply one of the best actions ever made, strong, reliable, easy to work on and a very good adjustable trigger. Add the cost of the engraving and it should give you a good idea of its current value. Cartridge choice would be what you might desire and if interested in Schuetzen competition 33-47 or 32-40 would be both excellent choices. Some like full octogon, some full round and others half octogon half round it would boil down to what you like. I just recently built one in 28-35 in the traditional style for competitive use. In our group of Schuetzen competitors there are now eight and one Model K in various calibers and styles and most all them were just recently built. A little over two years ago and years prior there were only a couple being used by our group.
My Model J was new and unused from the 70's and I picked it up from a smallbore shooter at the club for $350.00.
Here is a picture of a couple my Model J 28-35 200yd. practice targets from this morning, a pair of 249' to give you an idea of what accuracy a stock action can provide with no alterations and the trigger adjusted properly.

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And the rifle I built to my own liking. You might have pan it sideways to get a full view?

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JLouis
« Last Edit: Mar 17th, 2016 at 11:37pm by JLouis »  

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JerryH
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Re: Falling Block Works action
Reply #5 - Mar 17th, 2016 at 11:38pm
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Here's a link to a thread from the forum about a FBW. You could always build one like this.

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If you do decide to sell, please give us the first chance at it.

JerryH
  

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KAF
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Re: Falling Block Works action
Reply #6 - Mar 18th, 2016 at 7:29am
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IF I was planning a rifle for bench or OH shooting, breechseating. Smokless powder, I'd go with a RKS gain twist barrel, in a 32 cal.  Chamber one of the cases using the 357 mag/max. necked down. 
But not a 32 Miller short. That was a PIA, been there.

I have two and would never go back to 32-40 or 38-55 or any of the longer cases.
A FBW is not a trad action so why go with a trad loading?

Just my thoughts.
« Last Edit: Mar 18th, 2016 at 7:37am by »  
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Blexter
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Re: Falling Block Works action
Reply #7 - Mar 18th, 2016 at 12:09pm
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I appreciate all the input.   
Yes, I agree it is not a traditional action so I am open to suggestions.
Unfortunately, the engraving mandates very nice wood and I can't "justify" (if that's possible with toys) the expense...... so, this post

the action has a lot of grease on it
  
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JLouis
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Re: Falling Block Works action
Reply #8 - Mar 18th, 2016 at 1:01pm
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Blexter all though it is not a Traditional action you could still build a beautiful Traditional Rifle around it to go with the engraving. When finished most will think it is a HiWall from a very short distance. If you do decide to build yourself a rifle you will truly enjoy the simplicity of the action.
I would also contact Leo Fix and purchase some spare hammer coil springs while he still has some on hand as they do tend to break from time to time and maybe one or two extra extractor blanks for possible future use as the parts are very inexpensive.

JLouis
  

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craigd
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Re: Falling Block Works action
Reply #9 - Mar 18th, 2016 at 1:37pm
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The price of a wood blank is a relatively small part of the cost to machine, fit and finish it. I like wood with fancy figure, but to my eye, the perfect blank is tight straight grain through the fore arm, Then matching tight grain that follows the wrist, and maybe half or two thirds of the butt with some figure, even on both sides. Kind of boring to most folks, but put the time or money into crisp sharp lines and contours during finishing. Just a thought is all.
  
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chawk
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Re: Falling Block Works action
Reply #10 - Mar 18th, 2016 at 2:12pm
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CPA will sell you semi-inlet stocks for that action for a very reasonable price.  Machinng + Fancy wood is less than $400.   
That is less than you would spend on sights or a scope.  That being said I understand where you are coming from.  Building a custom rifle is never cheap.
  
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Schuetzenmiester
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Re: Falling Block Works action
Reply #11 - Mar 18th, 2016 at 11:07pm
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Quote:
IF I was planning a rifle for bench or OH shooting, breechseating. Smokless powder, I'd go with a RKS gain twist barrel, in a 32 cal.  Chamber one of the cases using the 357 mag/max. necked down. 
But not a 32 Miller short. That was a PIA, been there.

Just my thoughts.


Why is the Miller short a PIA?
  

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KAF
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Re: Falling Block Works action
Reply #12 - Mar 19th, 2016 at 7:24am
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My first Miller was a miller short, very hard to extract cases after a few firings, would have to size the web after a couple firings to swag it down.
Went to the necked down 357max cases, same load, bullet etc, less  all problems gone.
I'd guess the pressure was different.

I'd never suggest 32 M short or have it again.
  
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westerner
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Re: Falling Block Works action
Reply #13 - Mar 19th, 2016 at 8:00am
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I've been shooting a .32 MS since 1996. Using the same two hundred cases I started with. Never been re-sized. If I ever have to re-chamber it, will be 8.15X46R. 

      Joe. 
  

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Schuetzenmiester
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Re: Falling Block Works action
Reply #14 - Mar 19th, 2016 at 2:39pm
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westerner wrote on Mar 19th, 2016 at 8:00am:
I've been shooting a .32 MS since 1996. Using the same two hundred cases I started with. Never been re-sized. If I ever have to re-chamber it, will be 8.15X46R. 

      Joe. 

Joe, Is that so you will have a rifle you can take to Germany to shoot with Biggi?
  

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