21 January 2006, 21:52
PelleKMartini Henry action
I have acquired a Martini Henry or to be correct a Martini Enfield where the barrel is damaged so it can not be repaired.
I have been toying with the idea of having it chambered in 450 Nitro Express.
Have anyone done this?
Is the action strong enough for this cartridge?
I am going to have the action checked before doing this.
DPI and harness testing.
Think it will make a neat little package.
Recoil might me an issue, but I think it will be OK.
Any comments
21 January 2006, 23:08
333_OKHThere are so many different models and variations. I recently saw a 450/400 on a mil surp Martini action.
22 January 2006, 10:28
333_OKHHere is a forum dedicated to the Martini Henry.
Ask them.
http://www.gunboards.com/forums/forum.asp?FORUM_ID=1422 January 2006, 10:54
vigillinusIf that rifle was originally a .303 you might consider .405 Winchester, extractor would not have to be altered. For your own idea, a .450 Nitro Express is not outlandish, the Brits made many Martinis for large calibres, but most of them were black powder. I am not sure just how good the extraction is, of a long cartridge case, in a Martini. In a nitro cartridge you might have trouble on a hot day. The guys on the Martini forum might have some advice.
22 January 2006, 11:48
MarrakaiThe problem might be getting the .450 into the chamber, it has to go 'round the bend' as it were, and at 3 3/4 inches or more OAL might be too long. I know they were routinely chambered for the .375 Flanged Magnum, and a number of other bottle-neck cases, but a long straight case might give problems.
Anyone here ever done it?
22 January 2006, 13:29
boucanierwhat about a 9.3 x74r ? or would it be too long
22 January 2006, 23:44
PelleKIt was original chamberd i 303
The length is possible the biggest issue.
Getting around the "bend" might be difficult.
The 577/450 MH round is extremly bottelnecked so thats no help.
How about the strength of the action, I know that the Martini action has been chambered i lot`s of different rounds also som rather hot ones.
Guess I just have to get hold of some rounds an do som testing.
9,3X74 is not a option, I have a 375H&H and 416Rigby so I dont need another medium bore.
One option si to chamber it in the original 577/450 but it is quite obsolete and quite anemic There is the issu of the cost the chamber reamer from Clymer cost $370 + shipping.
And getting hold of a barrel with the correct bore and groove dimensions is not easy.
Can use a 458 barrel but that will create a sort of "bastard" round.