Swedish Rolling Block rifle
So I was in my local gun shop today, and came across one of these beautiful rifles, in the oddball, 12.7x44 cartridge. It's a very nice rifle, clean and doesn't look too used or screwed with at all, by the previous owner(s). The shop is asking $800 for it. Is this a good price considering it's in this day and age, a hand loader's rifle and does have a good stock and bright insides?
Also, about that oddball 12.7x44. I've figured hand loading is of course a necessity, but what do I hand load it from? What case do I have to trim or whatnot, to make it.
Start with 348 WIN cases...
I think your best bet is to start with 348 WIN cases, cut to length, anneal top end, expand to size, fire-form. Dies from CH4D. Bullets? - Something for 50-70 could fit, but you may end up needing a custom mould. You'll have to search out the dimensions yourself, but take them as a first approximation, not guaranteed figures. My experience with old BPCRs is that in the end you have to measure up what you actually have, not what a drawing says it ought have been 140 years ago! A chamber cast is a very good idea, otherwise it's all a bit of trial and error. And slug the bore!
As to price - they go for considerably less over here, because of the expense and effort required for reloading. Find out what the dies and a bullet mould will cost before taking the plunge! You are likely to discover that for the cost of the rifle + reloading equipment you could get yourself something much easier to feed, such as a Trapdoor in 45-70 (very desirable for competition shooting, because the sights are better than just about all other military BPCRs). Or a .43 Spanish RB for noticeably less than a Trapdoor, but requiring the dies and bullet mold...
BPCRs are fun, if you like serious, precision DIY activities. But I would not recommend the Swede as a starter, unless you welcome the challenge of a really steep learning curve!