http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rolling_block


No, not to the side. On the rolling blocks, the part that seals the breech rolls backward on a pin. You can then load or put a 209 primer onto the breech and roll the black forward sealing it back up. Then when the hammer falls forward into the block, it fires the rifle and basically locks the action up again. This kind of action is very simple and very strong.

Remington used to make rolling block rifles in a 45/70 government caliber. When I was young we deer hunted with a person that had an old Remington Rolling Block. I think that is where my fasicination started with them because the guy could knock a deer down at some hard to believe distances, using a vernier peep sight on it.