Afghans are not Junk. They are among the best to get...if you can recognize the real from the Khyber Pass.

Most of the good complete Francottes large actions (Westley Richards ZAR) one are far too expensive (valuable) to tear down build one. Nothing like tearing up a $1500 rifle to make $750 rifle.

Long lever is useful for bending levers in to pistol grip stocks.But the action is ugly.

The untouched Mk II's from IMA or Atlanta Cutlery will make up into a nice looking sporter. As to which cartridge you will need to try a cartridge in the action to see if it will turn the corner to decide. That hinged block cause geometry issues for big and long cartridges. There is some wiggle room, but frankly most gunsmith really do not under stand the martini action. For instance, any gunsmith who says they can grind the breech block to make a cartridge fit, really doesn't understand the system and should be avoided.

http://www.ima-usa.com/original-british-...-untouched.html

http://www.atlantacutlery.com/p-1720-p-1...-untouched.aspx

The action that will fit larger-longer cartridges is the Greener Shotgun action. It is a big heavy clunky action. Most are pretty rough and hard to "pretty up". Most guns seen built with this action look like clubs. Seems that some gunsmiths working on this gun just seem to find it necessary use bridge timers for gunstock.

To be avoided in the Greener actions is the split shotgun action. The action is split on the bottom side for the barrel to be dismounted. This split action is not suitable for building rifle.