Someday I would like to own a rifle built by CPA rifles on this falling block action. I would like to be able to hunt deer,varmints,etc. out to 250yrds or so, and of course some plinking/target shooting. CPA chambers their rifles in a number of different calibers, mostly for silouette shooting. For my purposes I was thinking something like 28-30 Stevens or 30-40 Craig? Anyway, this is just a dream, but I thought it might be a good discussion. CPA's website :singleshotrifles dot com for a selection of calibers. I would be greatful for any input Thanks! Chris

Keep your eye on the gun auction sites, I see them at a good discount from new on them from time to time.

If I wanted one for hunting I would get a 30-30 or 30-40 Krag.

Regarding cartridge selection, the CPA web site is kind of contradictory. I believe the CPA 44 1/2 is stronger than the original but still not on the order of a Ruger No. 1 or Winchester High Wall. On the other hand; I have seen rifles listed chambered in .225 Winchester and .220 Swift, very high pressure cartridges.

I emailed them once and Mr. Shuttleworth's daughter got right back to me with an answer. By all accounts they are good people.

This is a picture they put up not long ago; if this don't put a smile on your face...

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k191/KGKILBY/459F.jpg

The CPA 44 1/2 is a fine rifle/setup. I obtained one from a BPCR single shot shooter in summer of 2006. The setup consisted of: .22 barrel/rimfire breachblock; .32-40 barrel/.45-70 barrel/centerfire breachblock; 3 different levers....and the previous owner had made wooden boxes for barrels, ammo box and a shooter's box for use when at the range/on line shooting; etc.

Borrowed a friends Unertl 12x for use with the .32-40 barrel; breach seating each cast bullet; throwing a charge from a very old Lyman cast metal powder measure; de-primng/priming that 'one' case used for the 100 rounds fired at the range that day - most casual shooting this method is. Very consistently hitting the heads of carpet tacks at the 100 yard line, from a solid bench rest...not with each shot, but 7-8 out of 10 shots wasn't uncommon - it was the shooter, not the rifles fault.

Used a tang sight with the .45-70 barrel, 518 gr cast and BP load, the first shot went just above the x, where had pushed a spent 12 ga shotgun shell through the x of the target, it having been opened up into a large hole from the .32-40 use. At the second shot, the 12 ga shell disappeared off into the air (hit the bottom of 12 ga shell casing and s ent if flying). I just looked at my friend and grinned!

This was/is, my first real experience with the CPA 44 1/2 rifle setups, but for one, endorse their product as being finely made firearms, and excellent shooters. The .32-40 barrel is mainly for range/target doings, but the .45-70 barrel (with the previous owner shooting it) had won a couple of the shooting Clubs' previous 600 yard matches - these CPA's will shoot as well as the shooter can perform with them.

.30-40 would be a dandy round to use for range or field/hunting use...
Get one when you can, they are fine firearms and the folks at CPA are nice to deal with...

Gentlemen, Thanks for posting. KenK, I am smiling and I must say drooling a little... For me, some firearms fall into the "work of art" category and that rifle fits. I'm leaning towards 30-40 although I'm curious about a couple of things. Thanks also Outsidebear. The thought of shooting and reloading the same case for 100rds. is somehow very satisfying to me. Curious,and please forgive my ignorance but 1) is the 28-30 Stevens same as 7-30 Waters? And2)is the 32-40 a .32cal projectle on a 30-40 Craig case. Chris

RDKNG
If you look in 'Cartrdiges of the World' book, all cartrdiges you'd have an interest in shall be shown there, some history, case dimensions, some load info, etc. If you don't have a copy 'yet', the next time you stop in at a Barnes & Noble or Border's book store, look through their copy on the shelf in the Sporting/Firearms section. shhhh Seriously, this book is a wealth of knowledge for cartridge info, and a book you'll read time and time again about cartridges.1) Not sure about the .28-30, and what case it may be formed from, here's some info:
.28-30-120 Stevens:
http://www.midwayuk.com/apps/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?SaleItemID=345718
http://www.loaddata.com/members/search_printable.cfm?metallicid=1928&MW=&PM=&PT=
7-30 Waters:
The 7-30 Waters is basically a necked down to 7mm .30-30 case.http://www.reloadersnest.com/frontpage.asp?CaliberID=294

2) The .32-40 is a long tapered .30-30 parent case (the .32-40 came before the .30-30). It will use the same bullets as the .32 Winchester Special, .321 diameter. The .32 Win Spcl will achieve 2200+ fps with a 170 gr bullet, whereas the .32-40 would do around 1700-1800 fps.
.32 Win Spcl:
http://www.chuckhawks.com/32spec.htm
http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=161764&t=11082005
.32-40:
http://www.chuckhawks.com/32-40WCF.htm
http://www.chuckhawks.com/32-40WCF.htm

Not sure of the type of hunting you may want it for, but either of the above would be on the low side. The .30-40 Krag would offer you more versatility and power (equal to the .300 Savage range of performance with medium weight bullets, and even better with 200-220 gr heavy bullets - this ought to get a discussion going here! ha). .30-40 uses .308 diameter bullets, and there's no end to the selection to choose from .308 j-word and cast bullets. uh, while at Border's Books, looking through Cartridges of the Wrold, turn to the .30-40 Krag page! Also, use Google and this forum for similar info.
have fun with your project...outsidebear

PS:
look around in this web site for info about single shot rifles, and loading info on the older cartridges:
http://www.assra.com/cgi-bin/yabb/yabb.pl

The .32-40 was a Ballard cartridge that Winchester plagiarized, like the 38-55 and .40-60 Marlin which became the .40-65 Winchester. The .32-40 and .38-55 were originally target cartridges.

http://ammoguide.com/?catid=264

Bye
Jack

Gentlemen, I'm greatful for the input. I think 30-40 Krag would be my 1st. choice for hunting for the reasons Outsidebear gave above. However... I must say I'm still going to research the other cartriges just for the enjoyment! I don't know what it is about this whole single shot, falling block, old time cartrige, curiosity I have, but I guess if you're not learning you're not living. Thanks again Chris

This is a nice looking rifle. I'm curious to see if it sells and what for. I wonder much metal would have to come off to remove Mr. Hart's name? It would make me insane (short trip) to have it on there, probably wouldn't bother some folks.
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=97939128