| Gunnie |
| (.224 member) |
| 01/05/14 09:03 PM |
What to do with a Martini Enfield action
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A while back I scored a large frame Martini action which I considered resurrecting as a 577/450. I then begun to think that a 303 would be ideal as it would fit in with my collection of 303's. Now I'm thinking otherwise.
So I'm pondering the options for a large calibre rebuild on this action. I've looked at the 10.3x60 as it is the European equivalent of the 450/400-2&3/8th". Then I thought why not the 50-90?
So I figured I'd throw it open to the forum here for some ideas and what calibre/cartridge to chamber the old Martini up in.
Would be very interested in hearing from folks with large frame Martini's chambered in anything other than 303 & 577/450.
| lancaster |
| (.470 member) |
| 01/05/14 10:08 PM |
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Re: What to do with a Martini Enfield action
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dont know if you get the length into the action but a 9,3x74R gives you probably the most
| DarylS |
| (.700 member) |
| 02/05/14 12:29 AM |
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Re: What to do with a Martini Enfield action
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I think a rifled 12 bore would be fun - or the .50 2 1/2" you mentioned, rather than a .45 cal.
The .50 would give you all you needed, I'm sure - 1,900fps to over 2,000fps with over 500gr bullets sounds about right, considering the .50 Alaskan runs about 1,900fps with a 2.1" case.
Of course, the .50 Alaskan would also be a good choice with easily converted brass. Starline USA)sells ready made .50 Alaskan brass.
I have used my 6.5x68 dies for sizing and crimping bullets for the .50 Alaskan and .50/70 Sharps rounds.
In thinking this over some- I'll edit this response to include the .50/70 Government round.
if chambered up for shortened .50 Alaskan cases, .348 brass can be used.
It would make a nice 1,600fps round for 520gr. lead bullets.
| LesLeeSpeed |
| (.300 member) |
| 02/05/14 04:06 PM |
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Re: What to do with a Martini Enfield action
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I had one built in 45.90 some years ago. It turned out fine. It has since been sold and I've lost track of it now.
| greenshoots |
| (.300 member) |
| 02/05/14 04:20 PM |
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Re: What to do with a Martini Enfield action
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45/75 wcf can easily be made from .348 brass
greenshoots
| 93x64mm |
| (.416 member) |
| 02/05/14 06:09 PM |
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Re: What to do with a Martini Enfield action
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Gunnie,
not sure if a 450/400 would be able to squeeze past the hump!
I'd have a look at a 'old' classic cartridge that's not a complete oddball here, but is readily available now - something that will keep this old girl kicking on for another 50+ years.
There's plenty of knowledge here mate so keep the ear to the ground so to speak!
Whatever the choice you make, it will certainly make the old girl 'sing' again
cheers
93x64mm
| Don |
| (.275 member) |
| 02/05/14 11:27 PM |
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Re: What to do with a Martini Enfield action
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Convert it into a .22 Hornet Rifle. The pressure is low and the cartridge is small enough to fit " over the hump."
| DarylS |
| (.700 member) |
| 03/05/14 12:48 AM |
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Re: What to do with a Martini Enfield action
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Don, the (full size) Enfield action would be strange, I think, chambered for the Hornet, when the Cadet action is perfect for that little round and it's wildcat variations & calibres.
The .45/75 is another great round in a smokeless version and would of course work well in the Martini.
| Ash |
| (.400 member) |
| 03/05/14 08:15 AM |
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Re: What to do with a Martini Enfield action
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Daryl - a friend has a full size martini in .22lr, and was looking at converting it to a hornet. I talked him out of it and suggested .50-110.
As for 450/400 - there has been a thread on it, the 3" case wouldn't fit so he went with the 2 3/8" case. Mind you, a .577 2 3/4" will fit.. What caliber range are you thinking/main use?
| DarylS |
| (.700 member) |
| 03/05/14 09:20 AM |
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Re: What to do with a Martini Enfield action
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After thinking this over, if mine, I'd probably go with something on a blown out .348 case, simply due to the reasonable easy of obtaining brass. The more elaborate cases, like the .577 - too expensive for me.
A 50-110 would be indeed interesting, as-would a .50-95 Winchester. I think Starline makes brass for both.
Big game - any big game would be the quarry. The big bullets really thump the ungulates- deer, moose, elk & I suspect camels, hogs and Sambar & the wild cattle.
| Ash |
| (.400 member) |
| 03/05/14 03:26 PM |
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Re: What to do with a Martini Enfield action
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Starline carries both .50 Alaskan and .50-110. The 110 gives a little more room to boogie. The .50-110 can drive a 525gr bullet in a modern 1886 winchester to a bit over 2000fps (2100 comes to mind). Not sure in a martini, but i assume 500's at 1800? Or a 300gr @ 2200fps like the factory loads.
https://www.starlinebrass.com/brass-cases/50-Alaskan-Brass/
https://www.starlinebrass.com/brass-cases/50-110-Win-Brass/
| 50Calshtr |
| (.300 member) |
| 04/05/14 02:49 AM |
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Re: What to do with a Martini Enfield action
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If it were mine I'd make it a 450#2 musket. Brass can be made from 50-90 sharps cases, dies can be had from CH4D and tons of bullets and moulds are available. Put a well tapered 24-26 inch barrel on it with a splinter forend and express sights and call it a stalking rifle.
Best
| Gunnie |
| (.224 member) |
| 07/05/14 09:43 PM |
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Re: What to do with a Martini Enfield action
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Folks,
excellent feedback, certainly threw up a couple of options I hadn't considered.
The 22Hornet option is not something I'd consider. The cart is just too small for what the action was originally designed. I already have two Martini Cadets chambered for Hornets - a 22 K-Hornet and a 17 Ackley Hornet.
I have a 45-70 in the safe so not looking at that as an option. Have a Lee Speed project in the mill now, a 375 NE 2.5" Flanged, so that will cover the 375 options.
I would think anything in the 40 to 50cal range being the ideal target calibre. I agree with you Daryl, the final choice has to be readily supported with brass, dies and projectiles. I'm having enough issues as it is with sourcing brass for my Lee Speed here in Australia.
Not worried about jacketed projectiles, more than happy with shooting cast. May even consider having a go at casting my own in due course. Velocity isn't a primary issue either as anything hit with a soddin' big lump of lead is gonna have a bad day!!
The end result would see use on the occasional pig hunt, with options for anything else as the opportunity presents.
Keep the ideas coming gents.
| gungadoug |
| (.333 member) |
| 07/05/14 10:14 PM |
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Re: What to do with a Martini Enfield action
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I have, and have a smith who does the work, a GB model takedown in 22, 303, 375 2 1/2", 45-70, 50-90, and 12 bore rifle. The GB has a large shank, so that could be a consideration for your action. 30-40 would work as well. I think the 50-90 is the most used in my set, but there is no need for a larger case unless you shoot black- I need a filler in the 50-90 as it is!
Doug
| Ash |
| (.400 member) |
| 07/05/14 10:29 PM |
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Re: What to do with a Martini Enfield action
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I'm sticking by the 50-110 being a good choice. Though if you're after a .50 cal barrel shoot Alex Beer a message (member on this forum), he had 2 for i think a couple hundred each i think it was. That was a while back. He also had 2 x .458 barrels.
| DarylS |
| (.700 member) |
| 08/05/14 12:48 AM |
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Re: What to do with a Martini Enfield action
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Doug has a point unless you are looking for high powered loads. Using powders like AA3100 and slower-types with full cased loads in the larger, longer cases.
The .50 Alaskan, at 2.1" goes give good loading density with smokeless.
Too, it will also hold 91gr. Swiss 1 1/2F with a 600gr.(Buffalo Arms mould) bullet - That is my Brother's 1874 Sharps load in that ctg.(Mcgowen bl.) It's VERY accurate, with 8 out of a 10 shot group usually running in the 1 inch range at 100 meters. Tang sight with front aperture. In 10 shots, he gets the off flyer - lighting, sights, his technique, but all easily inside 2" usually 1 1/2" which is GREAT shooting with the rifle using black powder shot dirty, no wiping.
| awanderingbear |
| (.224 member) |
| 06/06/14 05:29 AM |
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Re: What to do with a Martini Enfield action
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A bit late in finding this Post, though shall toss in a .50 caliber cartridge recommendation here: .50 B&M Alaskan.
Not widely known, but very versatile. Basically it's the .50-110 Starline case sized down to use .500 diameter bullets (as used in the .500 S&W cartridge) instead of using .510 bullets, which are not as plentiful as the .500 bullets on the market out there. If you're going to mainly use cast bullets, then either the .50 B&M Alaskan or the .50-110 probably doesn't make much difference.
Here's a bit of a read on the .50 B&M Alaskan:
http://www.b-mriflesandcartridges.com/50-B-M-Alaskan.html
| belgmart |
| (.275 member) |
| 15/06/14 03:17 AM |
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Re: What to do with a Martini Enfield action
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Good luck fitting a 50-110 in the action - long, straight cases are pretty hard for the Martini action... OTOH, anything bottleneck, even more powerful, would be fine.
| DarylS |
| (.700 member) |
| 15/06/14 07:12 AM |
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Re: What to do with a Martini Enfield action
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What is the mould situation like in .500"?
That modification in bullet diameter IS interesting, but the 2.1" .50 Alaskan will work in the Martini & there already are a lot of bullet designs for it, and much cheaper than jacketed bullets, yet in that large a bore, arguably just as effective on game, due to the variations allowed through hardening and tempering.
There are a number of great ones in .510", from 300gr. through 700gr.
The .50 Alaskan can use AlL of them for full power loads
I used to shoot a 550gr. RCBS bullet and 520gr. Lyman cast in my Rolling Block .50 Alaskan and my brother is currently shooting a 600gr. Buffalo Arms cast bullets in his .50 Alaskan M74 Sharps.
His 3 shot groups are running under MOA (just over 1" at 100 meters), however a 5 shot group strays out to 1 1/2" - at 100 meters. His 10 shot groups are still in the 1 1/2" range - and that is using black powder and aperture sights, not a scope, and from an 1874-designed rifle.
A 600gr. from the .50 Alaskan at about 1,700fps might work well on just about ANYTHING.
| tbird1960 |
| (.224 member) |
| 29/09/14 05:27 AM |
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Re: What to do with a Martini Enfield action
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Here is what I am doing with my martini action. It is barreled with a 6.5x30-30 ackley improved cartridge and the barrel is 1/2 octagon to round.
[image]
[/image]
NitroX
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| (.700 member) |
| 29/09/14 05:21 PM |
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Re: What to do with a Martini Enfield action
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Quote:
Here is what I am doing with my martini action. It is barreled with a 6.5x30-30 ackley improved cartridge and the barrel is 1/2 octagon to round.
[image][/image]
Brilliant and humorous.
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NitroX
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| (.700 member) |
| 29/09/14 05:31 PM |
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Re: What to do with a Martini Enfield action
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Found this, a bit of humour.
| lancaster |
| (.470 member) |
| 02/10/14 03:17 AM |
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Re: What to do with a Martini Enfield action
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12 bore rifle!
| 8X57 |
| (.300 member) |
| 07/07/15 04:25 AM |
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Re: What to do with a Martini Enfield action
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Good question.
I got given one recently (.303, much "arabicised") . What to do with it? Can't export it and there is no hunting here. No shooting at the range for expats, yet I can buy ammo for it. Go figure? Meantime it's decorating the man cave.
