[PA44levergunguy]

I finally received my Baby Rolling Block Rifle. I ordered it last March and it came just in time for Christmas. It's a wonderful little rifle. However, round number two produced a split 357 magnum case. While extracting, the back of the case popped right off with little effort. I switched brands of ammo and had the same thing happen after about 6 more shots. There were a total of 3 split cases out of 12. The brass that was still inside the chamber was easy to remove with a nylon brush. A few of the other empties appeared to be bulged. I also put about thirty 38 specials down range and had no problems except blowback producing black halfway down the cases. The chamber does appear to be loose. Looks like I may be returning my rifle. I guess they'll have to rebarrel it or send me another one. The one I have shoots quite nice and I didn't have to tamper with the sights. This stinks, I hope Taylor can make it right.

 

[unclenick]

Just for the heck of it, double-check the chambering stamping on the barrel. If that's right, you can slug the chamber. It should not exceed 0.3840" diameter where the case mouth lies, and should not exceed 0.3849" 0.2" forward of the breech end of the case head. But this doesn't sound good. Neither does the soot on the .38 Specials, as that's normally an under-pressure sign a really large chamber might be responsible for.

 

[Spokerider]

What is the make and model of baby rolling block?
I have an older Uberti .357 mag and have had no such problems.

 

[zoar]

Yes PA44--Who made your rifle??? Is it brand new? New Barrel?

 

[Skipper]

What you're describing as "split cases" sounds like a case seperation due to excessive head space. Time to have a Smith check it.

 

[PA44levergunguy]

Sorry for the delay, you know how the holidays are. The model I have is the Baby Rolling Block Rifle with 26" octagon barrel made by Uberti. Skipper, I am beginning to think that yes it very well could be a head space issue. I have continued to test the gun by trying some lower power 357 loads. I wanted to get something that would not spilt a case, yet maybe point to another issue. A while back, I fired a factory 38 +P and noticed my hammer was at full-cock right after firing. Every once in a while when I was shooting a low power 357 (no split cases with these) I found the gun at half-cock right after firing. Then I loaded a slightly hotter load and this time my action opened up after firing. The block has a bit of play in it when the hammer is down. I can "roll" it back so there is a gap just over the thickness of a 357 case lip. My theory is that the case upon firing is forcing the block back and fast enough to kick the hammer back, thus opening the action. DANGEROUS!!!! Taylor has excellent customer service and is requesting the rifle be sent back to them. Other than the issue, I really like this little rifle and want it or another sent to me asap. A picture is attached that displays the final shot that opened the action.

 

[Spokerider]

I would not shoot it any more until the problem is rectified. Sounds unsafe at best.........

Is there any play in the pins, forward and aft?

How many rounds has the gun seen? Have any modifications like polishing, etc, been done to the action?

I`ll check my baby RB, for block play, but I`m pretty sure it locks up tight when the hammer is down. Never had the action open up like yours upon firing.

 

[PA44levergunguy]

There's no play in the pins. Nothing wiggles either. I fired about 40 38 specials and only about 20 full power factory 357 magnums through it. I also tried about 20 low power 357s that I loaded. There are no modifications to the gun. It was probably built on friday afternoon or monday morning.

 

[PA44levergunguy]

I finally received my rifle back from Taylors. The block and hammer assembly were replaced. That took care of the headspace issue. However it still splits nickel 38 +P cases and seems to cause excessive expansion of 357 magnums near the base. I doubt I should reload any of the 357. I mainly bought it just to plink with using 38 specials but I tried various ammo for a test run over last weekend. I called Taylors and was told not to shoot 38 Special Plus P out of it. I assumed Plus Ps were fine since it's rated for 357 magnum. Maybe the extra length in the chamber caused the nickle cases to split. Nickel 357s seem to work just fine and deform little. They also explained that the Ubertu chambers are larger since they aren't target or match grade and that causes the expansion that I see. They also said Uberti makes their guns to shoot lead loads like cowboy ammunition. I suppose any of you who happens to own a 357 baby rolling block will tell me that you kave absolutely no trouble with brass. My block still wiggles back a little bit, not as much as the original one though. How tight are your blocks when closed? Thanks.

 

[MikeG]

Nickeled cases are going to be harder and possibly more brittle. So you may get different results from batch to batch, especially if they are reloaded several times. The pressure increase to +p is not great so I can't imagine why .38 +P is not OK but .357 mag is. Can't think of any reason the +p brass would split except that it is just too brittle.

Anyway sounds like they cut the chambers on the very generous side. Not much you can do about that except rebarrel.

 

[unclenick]

I think they might be worried about lead bullet +P loads just from the standpoint of all the lead that can build up between the end of the case neck and the end of the chamber neck. I always use .357 cases in my .357 chambers for that reason. Too lazy to clean it.

Nickel cases are indeed often brittle (some platers seem to do a better job than others). Besides, nickel is harder to see if it falls in the grass. Stay with yellow .357 brass.

The excessive chamber diameter sounds like making excuses. However, if they are correct that they all are like that, then an aftermarket barrel or sleeving the chamber of the existing one are the only options I am aware of.

 

[bulldog1935]

What is the make and model of baby rolling block?
I have an older Uberti .357 mag and have had no such problems.

I have shot a bunch in mine and had one case split, and it was reload.

 

[shovel80]

I think if You are having ANY split cases with factory Ammo!....It is NOT right and Should again be sent back and Most likely replaced!!....Don't take NO for an Answer!!

Terry

 

[tbird1960]

If you keep shooting this rifle you are going to get hurt. I am very surprised they sent it back and it is still having the problem.

 

[TCLouis]

Sure sounds like an oversized chamber to me