How difficult or simple it is to modify a Highwall extractor for rimless cartridges? Morris Hallowell has two rifles for sale now that are rimless - one in 6mm Remington and another in 257 Roberts so it can be done. I have asked this same question to the folks at C-Sharp Arms in Montana, but have had no reply. I realize that there is always a rimmed cartridge that will do whatever it is you need to do, but I want to build one myself around a rimless cartridge.

Any suggestions are very much appreciated.

w

Winchester made Singleshots in .30-06 and some experimental cartridges. Not many though. They have a spring (of course) and a screw on the left side of the receiver that pushes a modified extractor into the rimless groove of the case. I've never seen one, however.

Thank you Professor Brent. I will have to search for a photo and see if I can duplicate it.

w

Going back to the online photos at the Morris Hallowell site I don't see a screw on either the right or left of either rifle. Still searching for an answer and photos.

w

I looked in Campbell's, but found only the verbal description of it. Campbell had a lot of drawings and photos of most parts and variations, so the lack of rimless extractor drawings or photos is surprising. However, my search was quick and I should look again.

Modern highwalls by Winchester and Browning B78 are completely different under the hood, of course, but I wonder if you could get an idea from those and adapt it somehow.

I found the answer in Frank de Haas book on Single Shot Rifle Actions pages 12-14 in case anyone else is curious.

https://ia600909.us.archive.org/20/items/FrankDeHaasMrSingleShotsGunsIdeaBook/Frank%20de%20Haas%20-%20Mr%20Single%20Shot%27s%20Guns%20Idea%20Book.pdf

Thanks again Brent. Good suggestions to compare.

w

I have one that Pope modified to 7.5x55 Swiss that I can email you some photos. I can't post photos to this site.

Email them to me and I'll post them for you. I always like to see another Pope, and a 7.5x55 would be a first for me in that rifle.

Thanks to both of you for your willingness to share and also to post. I think a lot of us would like to see some photos.

Many thanks,

Wally

I took a couple photos of the extractor modification, I need an email to send them to.

My email is brentd@iastate.edu

It is in my profile as well.

I look forward to seeing them.

Here are three photos of Dan's highwall. A 7.5mm Pope is certainly interesting. I've never heard or read of one like it.

Antonio, is there a particular reason why you want a rimless cartridge? Perhaps you have the reloading gear for it from another rifle.

Brent et al.

I very much like the 257 Roberts. It is also the challenge of doing the project. I have made 2 falling block rifles in 30/40 Krag and it is a wonderful cartridge, but I want to try something different without going to a Number One or the more expensive Hagn or Dakota. Besides, I like the look of a Highwall.

Thanks to everyone for your help. I think the explanation and diagrams in Frank de Haas book is feasible for me.

w

Antonio,
The 25/30-40 Krag is a good cartridge, either the standard or Ackley Improved version.
Mike

Two more images from Dan's Pope Highwall.

Well, you could not have chosen better for your project. The highwall is the finest rifle ever made, anywhere. And the handsomest by a country mile.

Just an observation based on 50+ years of experience : you can teach a bear to ride a bicycle, but you can't teach him to like it. A high wall can be made to work with rimless cases, but it's not worth the trouble. If you have to have a rimless case, get a Ruger.

I have a hi wall 25 krag 30 inch round bbl. With a weaver 10x scopeits ugly but works .farquharsen and 97 westly are much better looking .