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Spud
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Soper match rifle
Mar 13th, 2018 at 6:47am
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Hi from Oz. I was at a local country gunshow last weekend and came across a Soper match rifle in .461 No.1 Gibbs. A real surprise to see something like this surface. We see military Sopers in .577/.450 occasionally but never a match rifle. The tang & windgauge sight were true works of art. Thought you boys would like to see it.
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Spud
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Re: Soper match rifle
Reply #1 - Mar 13th, 2018 at 6:48am
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...and here is the front sight
  
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Joe Do...
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Re: Soper match rifle
Reply #2 - Mar 13th, 2018 at 7:16am
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... very cool! ... and I am glad you got photos of the sights.  Many of the English actions had dual purposes, military and sporting, and its always interesting to see sporting rifles, especially match grade, made on these actions.

Thanks for sharing ...
Joe
  
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Old-Win
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Re: Soper match rifle
Reply #3 - Mar 13th, 2018 at 11:31am
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Spud, What kind of money were they asking for that rifle down your way.  I think they're neat rifles and would love to shoot one in a LR match.  Here's a couple more pictures of one that I saved off the net.
  
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calledflyer
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Re: Soper match rifle
Reply #4 - Mar 13th, 2018 at 12:36pm
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Neat rifles, both of 'em. Thanks fellows.
Old-Win, you'd like to shoot one in a match, but I'd be tickled to bits just to see one, let alone fire it. Roll Eyes
  
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Old-Win
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Re: Soper match rifle
Reply #5 - Mar 13th, 2018 at 2:26pm
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For sure!!!
  
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frnkeore
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Re: Soper match rifle
Reply #6 - Mar 13th, 2018 at 3:49pm
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I owned a Sporting Soper, back in the '80's. They are remarkable rifles!!

When you push the Hepburn looking lever down, it both swings the breech block open and cocks the hammer.

Mine was in 450 #2 BP Express and only weighed about 7 1/2 to 8 lb Max. It was profusely engraved, even the tips of the screws where engraved, where they showed.

It was overall, in excellent condition, with the exception that the bore was very washed out and not shootable. I kept it for awhile, thinking that I would replace the barrel, but the barrel was engraved and marked so, I thought I'd not ruin it's collector value and passed it on.

They are fairly rare and I guess I should have kept it but, I like to shoot my rifles, this one wasn't shootable and the recoil would have brought on my shoulder surgery, much sooner.

Frank
  

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oneatatime
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Re: Soper match rifle
Reply #7 - Mar 13th, 2018 at 5:50pm
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I was in the Old West Gun Room (I think that was the name of it) in El Cerrito, California back in the early 70's. They had several Sopers in the white. Looked interesting, but kind of clunky.
  
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frnkeore
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Re: Soper match rifle
Reply #8 - Mar 13th, 2018 at 7:30pm
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Up until, at least 1988, you could buy barreled, Soper actions, in the white, somewhere in the Bay area. 

After I sold mine, it was copied and that copy was put up for sale, for $2800, in about 1987. They may have been listed in the old Single Shot News.

Frank
  

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rodneys
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Re: Soper match rifle
Reply #9 - Mar 13th, 2018 at 7:59pm
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Thanks for sharing Spud, that picture of the Soper. I owned a well used sporting one years ago. Now I have one of the barreled actions in the white never finished, trying to find a stock to copy. it is in a 45 cal straight case 2.75 long I will get some pics up in aday or so.
  
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Spud
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Re: Soper match rifle
Reply #10 - Mar 14th, 2018 at 5:12am
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Old Win....regarding price, it is in an upcoming national auction here and the vendor was showing it to build some interest. I think the reserve is about $Oz 6-7,000 (about $US 5,500) but I reckon it could go for more being such a rare beast. As you well know it all depends on the day and how badly people want it. I'll be there on the day to watch the fun!

For more information on the Soper, see chapter 22 of Frank de Haas's "More Single Shot Rifles & Actions". Good detail and he also mentions those actions that several of you referred to.
Spud
  
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GT
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Re: Soper match rifle
Reply #11 - Mar 14th, 2018 at 11:29am
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Rodney,
If you ever get the urge to make a casting of one of these, put me in for one or two.  Smiley
Greg
  

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rodneys
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Re: Soper match rifle
Reply #12 - Mar 15th, 2018 at 1:15pm
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Greg  I definitely will I plan on doing the molds this fall so should have some castings by next spring. I have a couple of others that want one too. It will be a advanced project to do.
  
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rodneys
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Re: Soper match rifle
Reply #13 - Mar 15th, 2018 at 8:40pm
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Here a picture of the parts 16 not counting screws and pins
  
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rodneys
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Re: Soper match rifle
Reply #14 - Mar 15th, 2018 at 8:46pm
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another view it is a wonderful action fast to operate, load a cartridge and pull the trigger and the block falls before the hammer strikes the firing pin. Press the lever smartly and the case ejects and repeat.
  
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