Remington Rolling Block

[Tony Kastella]

Hello a new member here. I recently "inherited the right to own" a family Remington Rolling Block. It looks identical to the rolling block featured on the front cover of the book, "The History of Remington Firearms" by Roy Marcot. How does one go about dating these rifles? The serial number on the lower tang is 6016. Also the caliber is 40-70. I know there are a number of 40-70's and Remington made a lot of them so I made a chamber cast. It looks to mic out as a 40-70 Remington caliber. I also took a barrel cast 2 inches in from the crown. It mics out at 0.406 ". My investigation with cartridge collectors is this, the 40-70 Sharps Bottleneck is so close as to be the same cartridge. I have ordered a half dozen cases from Buffalo Arms and will form fire these to send to CH Die Company to have dies made. Then I will need to get a bullet mould made from the other cast. My question is this, are there any 40-70 Remington cases being made? Where can I get information about loading this caliber? What was the original bullet size and mould? How much powder and does it have to be "black powder" or can it be Pyrodex? I am totally ignorant about rolling blocks. Any help or what books to get ahold of anything will be greatly appreciated! thanks for your time.