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CptCurlAdministrator
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BSA Martini .310 Cadet
      #314194 - 20/03/18 10:03 AM

I recently acquired a nice original BSA Martini Cadet rifle in its original chamber of .310 Greener.

The rifle remains in excellent condition. Importantly, its bore is like new.

I studied on how to get into loading for this rifle and asked a few questions along the way. Thanks for the help I got on the reloading forum.

Over the last few weeks I gathered what I needed to load this little cartridge. Buffalo Arms sells Starline .32-20 brass converted to fit the little Martinis. They also have dies. Finally, I got an RCBS mould for the little 125 grain heeled bullet.

Yesterday was a pretty day, so I fired up my lead furnace and cast a few hundred bullets. The RCBS mould does a fine job.

This morning I lubed 50 bullets using Honda motorcycle chain lube. I just set them up on a piece of wax paper and sprayed them with the lube. It dries quickly. Pretty soon I had 50 rounds of ammo ready for the range.

I snapped a few photos while getting ready to shoot.















I shot targets at 50 and 100 yards. The rifle has good sights, but they are just battle sights. That limits what I am able to do. However, the little thing will certainly shoot. Here are a couple of targets.







I was not disappointed. That's about as good as I can shoot with those sights. It's a shooter! This was my first time ever shooting this rifle and this caliber. It was a load recommended on a discussion forum and the only load I have tried. I'm happy.

Curl

--------------------
RoscoeStephenson.com

YOUR DOUBLE RIFLE IS YOUR BEST FRIEND.



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Viking338
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Re: BSA Martini .310 Cadet [Re: CptCurl]
      #314196 - 20/03/18 10:41 AM

I had an identical (in condition and markings) one as a young boy. Foolishly I sold it when someone offered me very good money for it. Even shot a feral pig with it (once, wasn't very emphatic ). Yes they are a lovely old reminder of what some would say were better times

Edited by Viking338 (20/03/18 10:43 AM)

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CptCurlAdministrator
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Re: BSA Martini .310 Cadet [Re: Viking338]
      #314197 - 20/03/18 11:05 AM

Here's what the little guy eats:




Lots of fun!

Curl

--------------------
RoscoeStephenson.com

YOUR DOUBLE RIFLE IS YOUR BEST FRIEND.



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Wayne59
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Re: BSA Martini .310 Cadet [Re: CptCurl]
      #314200 - 20/03/18 12:19 PM

What do those little bullets weigh. Thats about the same as the groups I was getting out of my two little rook rifles. Mine are both in .360 no5. Both rifles have vastly different twist so I had two custom molds made. Just got back to working on them and as soon as the weather clears up I will see what they will do. By the way I love that rear sight.

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CptCurlAdministrator
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Re: BSA Martini .310 Cadet [Re: Wayne59]
      #314202 - 20/03/18 12:26 PM

The RCBS mould nominally produces a 120 grain bullet. Yesterday I cast a batch of bullets out of wheelweights and they threw out at 125 grains.

That is quite a rear sight. Calibrated to 600 yards. I'm not sure the bullet will even fly that far.

Curl

--------------------
RoscoeStephenson.com

YOUR DOUBLE RIFLE IS YOUR BEST FRIEND.



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DarylS
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Re: BSA Martini .310 Cadet [Re: CptCurl]
      #314203 - 20/03/18 12:41 PM

Curl- the pictured rounds have lubed bullets? - just a light "wash"?

Might have to get some of that chain lube and try it.

--------------------
Daryl


"a gun without hammers is like a Spaniel without ears" King George V

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CptCurlAdministrator
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Re: BSA Martini .310 Cadet [Re: DarylS]
      #314206 - 20/03/18 12:47 PM

Yes, they are coated with the lube.

It sprays on and dries to a clear waxy film of HP lube.

Easy!

--------------------
RoscoeStephenson.com

YOUR DOUBLE RIFLE IS YOUR BEST FRIEND.



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CptCurlAdministrator
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Re: BSA Martini .310 Cadet [Re: CptCurl]
      #314207 - 20/03/18 12:48 PM

If you get some and don't like it on bullets, Tracey can use it on her bicycle chain.

--------------------
RoscoeStephenson.com

YOUR DOUBLE RIFLE IS YOUR BEST FRIEND.



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MikeRowe
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Re: BSA Martini .310 Cadet [Re: CptCurl]
      #314209 - 20/03/18 01:31 PM

That's a very nice Martini, Roscoe. It needs a picture with it's big brother.

You'll have another to see at Tulsa - a 450/400 x 2 3/8" is stopping by for a visit on the way, and we will try some black to how how it likes it.

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tinker
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Re: BSA Martini .310 Cadet [Re: MikeRowe]
      #314211 - 20/03/18 01:56 PM

Very nice!

Cool ammunition too.
Looks like a really fun rifle.


Cheers
Tinker

--------------------
--Self-Appointed Colonel, DRSS--



"It IS a dangerous game, and so named for a reason, and you can't play from the keyboard. " --Some Old Texan...

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lancaster
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Re: BSA Martini .310 Cadet [Re: tinker]
      #314286 - 21/03/18 08:28 PM

heavy bullet for a such a small cartridge, maybe the reason it shot so fine

--------------------
Norwegian hunter misses moose, shoots man on toilet
.
bringing civilisation to the barbarians

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93x64mm
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Re: BSA Martini .310 Cadet [Re: lancaster]
      #314311 - 22/03/18 07:27 AM

Well done CC!
Lovely little rifle aren't they!
Your eyes must still be pretty good to shoot a group like that with open sights, boy I wish my eyes were better.
Certainly looks like you had a great time & if you can, can you supply your load please?
I think Viking338 might go out & get himself another one of these gems - plenty for sale!
Even was a 450/400 x 2 3/8 as well - sold though!
http://www.ozgunsales.com/searchresults.php?searchtext=martini&x=0&y=0

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HuviusModerator
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Re: BSA Martini .310 Cadet [Re: CptCurl]
      #314318 - 22/03/18 11:05 AM

Quote:

Here's what the little guy eats:






I use the same bullet in all of my 310s as well as my son's Cadet that was rechambered to 32/20.

That is a good looking cartridge and the barrel is made for these bullets.
Surprised more folks with the rechambered cadets don't use this bullet.



--------------------
He who lives in the past is doomed to enjoy it.

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CptCurlAdministrator
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Re: BSA Martini .310 Cadet [Re: 93x64mm]
      #314336 - 22/03/18 08:25 PM

Huvius,

Good looking rounds for your .32-20 converted rifle.




9.3x64mm,
Quote:

Well done CC!
. . .
Certainly looks like you had a great time & if you can, can you supply your load please?
. . .



Why yes! The load is written on both targets. 4.2 grains of Unique.

Curl

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CptCurlAdministrator
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Re: BSA Martini .310 Cadet [Re: CptCurl]
      #314337 - 22/03/18 08:28 PM

My next project will be to chronograph these loads. It's my understanding that the original .310 ballistics called for a 120 grain bullet at ~1,200 fps. I want to duplicate the original ballistics as near as possible so the rifle will shoot to the sights at longer ranges. I hope to have it perform at 200 and 300 yards. It will be a rainbow trajectory for sure.

It will be a couple of weeks before I can do this, but I will report back. Stay tuned.

Curl

--------------------
RoscoeStephenson.com

YOUR DOUBLE RIFLE IS YOUR BEST FRIEND.



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DoubleD
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Reged: 23/11/03
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Re: BSA Martini .310 Cadet [Re: CptCurl]
      #314340 - 22/03/18 10:54 PM

I used Trailboss in my Cadet, but only for shooting at 25 yards. I wouldn't bother with it longer range. Velocities are to low with TB.

The other pistol powder work fine.

I have not worked with this cartridge for a while. I have a 120 grain double cavity mould from CBE. That bullet shot better than the RCBS bullet, which shot good.

I all my loading notes are now lost on an old back-up hard drive, whose cables were lost when it was moved from Montana to OK. There are boxes still to be unpacked.

I seem to remember Unique worked well.

Be careful of any bullets for 32 H&R. Some use that bullet in the .32/20 reamed chambers with good results. Leaving the gas check off and seating the base in the 310 case can stick bullets in the throat. The driving band is too long for the .310 case and that is what sticks.

This is a fun gun to shoot.

Good luck.

--------------------
DD, Ret.

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Wayne59
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Re: BSA Martini .310 Cadet [Re: DoubleD]
      #314351 - 23/03/18 04:01 AM

I finally got one of my 360's to shoot the other day. 3.7grs unique and a Veril Smith custom bullet weighing aprox. 140gr shot one ragged hole at 25yds. No if I can just get the other one to shoot I will be a happy camper. By the way that will probable turn into an 1 1/2" at fifty due to eyesight.

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93x64mm
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Re: BSA Martini .310 Cadet [Re: CptCurl]
      #314354 - 23/03/18 06:51 AM

Quote:

Huvius,

Good looking rounds for your .32-20 converted rifle.




9.3x64mm,
Quote:

Well done CC!
. . .
Certainly looks like you had a great time & if you can, can you supply your load please?
. . .



Why yes! The load is written on both targets. 4.2 grains of Unique.

Curl


Well I certainly am a goose aren't I......Oh well everyone had a laugh a my expense then!
I need a coffee to wake up properly, now I'm making excuses....tsk, tsk!

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windy
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Re: BSA Martini .310 Cadet [Re: 93x64mm]
      #315192 - 12/04/18 01:25 AM

I have a BSA Cadet that was rechambered for 32 Win Special, and have spent a great deal of time learning to download it to original, or close to original velocities. I've had some success with casting bullets in the 115gr, 120gr, 134gr, and 150gr weights, using 4759, 2400, and Trailboss powders, but so far my favorite loads use the 100gr and 107gr Nambu bullets at 1500-1700 ft/sec. I have sight settings that work out to 100 yards, and was able to manage 4" groups at 100 yards until I got my current pair of eyeglasses. It's still a bit hot for edible small game but I'd like to catch a coyote inside the 100 yard dimension; I'm sure it would drop him in short order.
As to reaching the 32 special ballistics, and making it a deer gun, I'd have to lose those lovely original sights; factory loads won't drop to the lowest sight setting until well past 200 yards! The little gun can handle the pressures, but my 73-year-old shoulder no longer enjoys that much recoil--and enjoyment, after all, is what this little rascal is all about! Delightful little rifle!

Windy

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DarylS
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Re: BSA Martini .310 Cadet [Re: windy]
      #315193 - 12/04/18 03:27 AM

That little rifle certainly shoots, Curly.

--------------------
Daryl


"a gun without hammers is like a Spaniel without ears" King George V

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NitroXAdministrator
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Re: BSA Martini .310 Cadet [Re: CptCurl]
      #375121 - 14/03/23 03:17 PM

Quote:







Curl



Good to see.

Interesting to see they were still being made in 1915 (?).

--------------------
John aka NitroX

...
Govt get out of our lives NOW!
"I love the smell of cordite in the morning."
"A Sharp spear needs no polish"

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Homer
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Re: BSA Martini .310 Cadet [Re: NitroX]
      #375177 - 16/03/23 06:46 AM

G'Day Fella's,

Thank You for reposting this thread again (CptCurl, NitroX?).

Regards
Homer

--------------------
"Beware the Lolly Pop of Mediocrity,
Lick it Once and You Will Suck Forever"

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CJF
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Re: BSA Martini .310 Cadet [Re: Homer]
      #375822 - 04/04/23 10:05 AM

Great looking cadet. I had one rechamsbered for 32-20 and sold it. Keep looking at auctions, waiting to find one with an unhanded butt stock matching the receiver serial that hasn't been chewed by a beaver. I even have a box of 50 original 310 rounds waiting to go.

Usually what happens is I find a nice one right after I've cleaned out the bank on something else.

Congrats getting a great rifle shooting really well.

Chris

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