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.450/.577 Martini ammo

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08 March 2004, 10:55
eric 98
.450/.577 Martini ammo
Tried this awhile back on the reloading thread. Anybody have or can reload ammo for this rifle? A friend in Namibia has one and said if I bring bullets I can shoot something with it next trip. Thanks .
08 March 2004, 11:38
Bullet_Proof
http://pub182.ezboard.com/bbritishmilitariaforums

Coyote over on the british militaria forums should be able to help you out.

Brett
08 March 2004, 18:09
Dave James
you mite also check with the Old West Scrounger ammo site he has some from time to time
08 March 2004, 19:55
Bullet_Proof
I dont know if your friend would appreciate you shooting the OWS ammo in his gun, they and the new cabelas ammo has built up a reputation for bad accuracy (due to their undersized and unlubed bullet) and pierced primers. The are also loaded loosely, not a good thing with black powder.

Brett
09 March 2004, 02:59
urdubob
You will need to load your own to get any kind of Quality.

First get some turned brass. I would use paper patched bullets.
You can reload these with the bare minimum of supplies. Send me an email and I will give you some Nitro for black loads I use in my Rifles.

Urdubob
09 March 2004, 04:05
MacD37
Eric, first when you start looking for componants, or dies for this cartridge, it is a 577-450 not a 450/577! This is the british way of nameing a cartridge, the "577" is the parent case, and the "450" is the bore diameter! In this particular case, most suppliers would know what you are asking about,the computer, however, will not in a search for information. In some cases, cartridges are not so well defined by their name, and some supliers may not know! The American nameing is exactly opposite, with the bore first, and the parent case last! Example: 8mm-06 , the 8mm being the bore dia, and the 06 being the 30-06 case.

Once you find cases, any .458 diameter bullet will work, but the the proper weight bullet is 480 grs, but about the only choice you will have, in that weight, is the 480 gr Woodliegh round nose soft point, available from HDS! The 400 gr Speer flat point will work just as well, IMO, and it is cheaper, and easier to find. The origenal powder load is 85 grs black powder with a 480 gr bullet, and there was some sort of filler to take up the air space, and to hold the powder back against the primer. You could use that same load with the Speer 400 gr flat point. This filler, if needed with the Speer bullet, is easy by simply useing dacron fiber fill ( pillow stuffing) enough to be slightly compressed when the bullets are seated! These bullets do not need to be crimped,because they will be shot in a single shot.

You will find plenty of folks on single shot forums who shoot, and load for the Martini Greener rifles. Check the black powder cartridge, and single shot forums for help with this! Good luck with your quest, and on your hunt in Africa! I would load twice as much ammo for it as you will shoot, and leave the rest with the owner of the rifle!

I don't have dies for this cartridge or I would load it for, myself! Again good luck, and have fun on your trip to the big "A"

09 March 2004, 04:18
ALF
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09 March 2004, 05:04
urdubob
Bores will vary.... most are .462-.465 on the ones I have.
The paper patch solves this as well as bores being rough. I have not had any real luck with FMJ bullets.

Remember you may have to shoot at some distance..you need all the accuracy you can get.

Some or most have Henery Rifleing...They don't like FMJ's

Urdubob