13 May 2007, 00:15
tikkathreeMartini & falling block actions: accuracy potential - is it restricted?
Hi guys, I have old martini action rifles which despite their age and associated wear & tear, full length stocks and military spec chambers, still shoot pretty well.
Though I know of new rifles being made with falling block/rolling block actions, I don't know of any being manufactured with the martini action - though I'll bet there are plenty around the world with replacement barrels. (Yes? No?)
Anyway, dispensing with side issues related to non-floating barrels which
could be got around, is there any reason why a non-bolt action shouldn't be equally as accurate as the bolt action? After all, accuracy seems to be a function of the precision of the engineering involved in barrel, chamber and action lock-up. (putting aside issues arising from the quality of the ammunition).
I have a BSA Model 12 which started life as a .22 LR and was rechambered to .22 Hornet. Shoots sub-MOA with the original LR barrel.
Pete
13 May 2007, 01:41
tin canI f you haven't already, go over here and sign up:
http://www.rimfirecentral.com/index.htmcheck out the martini forum, there's a lot of good info available.
13 May 2007, 02:22
Westpacquote:
Originally posted by tikkathree:
Anyway, dispensing with side issues related to non-floating barrels which
could be got around, is there any reason why a non-bolt action shouldn't be equally as accurate as the bolt action? After all, accuracy seems to be a function of the precision of the engineering involved in barrel, chamber and action lock-up. (putting aside issues arising from the quality of the ammunition).
Aside from the accuracy related issues created by using 2 piece stocks, that "action lock-up" you mention is probably what will keep these types of guns from reaching the level of precision accuracy that the bolt action guns enjoy due to their one piece stocks and uniform locking bolts. But that shouldn't stop you from pursuing great accuracy with your Martini. I have seen some very accurate Martini's. In fact I've drank a few that have hit the spot!
13 May 2007, 19:32
tikkathreeI f you haven't already, go over here and sign up:
I'm there - thank you.
13 May 2007, 19:43
tikkathreeWestpac said:
(snipped)
quote:
side from the accuracy related issues created by using 2 piece stocks,[quote]
Yes, but you needn't have a 2-piece stock, just because that's the way they were made a hundred years ago. What would be wrong with some kind of bar forming a fore end, fixed to the front of the action and above which the barrel could free-float?
[quote] that "action lock-up" you mention is probably what will keep these types of guns from reaching the level of precision accuracy that the bolt action guns enjoy due to their one piece stocks and uniform locking bolts.[quote]
Now we're getting to it: why couldn't a rolling block/falling block be built to modern close tolerances?
[quote] But that shouldn't stop you from pursuing great accuracy with your Martini. I have seen some very accurate Martini's. In fact I've drank a few that have hit the spot!
Cheers! Yep that's why I'm a-wondering just how much accuracy could be built into a non-bolt action.
13 May 2007, 20:52
Westpacquote:
Originally posted by tikkathree:
Yes, but you needn't have a 2-piece stock, just because that's the way they were made a hundred years ago. What would be wrong with some kind of bar forming a fore end, fixed to the front of the action and above which the barrel could free-float?
Yes that would isolate the barrel.
quote:
"that "action lock-up" you mention is probably what will keep these types of guns from reaching the level of precision accuracy that the bolt action guns enjoy due to their one piece stocks and uniform locking bolts."
Now we're getting to it: why couldn't a rolling block/falling block be built to modern close tolerances?
Because of the way they lock up, they are still vulnerable to springing under load which does nothing for accuracy. If you could get the block to lock uniformly on all sides of the cartridge, you might have something. Think Artillery piece.
14 May 2007, 01:37
El DeguelloIOn the 1950's and into at least the early 1960's, I know of several Army smallbore rifle teams that were using BSA Martini .22 match rifles such as those imported by Al Freeland.
I have shot a few of these, a few Win. M52's, and several Anschutz match rifles. NONE could beat those Martinis!! I would love to own one of them today!