Gunnie, I too am about to embark on a custom Martini project, mine is a Sportco Cadet .22RF action that I will be turning into a .17HMR. I plan to first send the action to the people in Melbourne who will apply a case harden finish to the action (once I can find the article with the contact details). I will be fitting a half round/half octagonal barrel so should have no problems with mounting a scope.

Have taken the liberty of eMailing you, I spend considerable time in Ipswich and a local gunsmith who knows Martinis would make life so much easier.