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Anybody able to give me some info. I saw the sweetest rifle setup on a Martini Cadet action. I was wondering, specifically with the .310 Martini Cadets used in Australia. how strong are they when it comes to cartridges able to be used in them? and what cartridges are they well suited to? I know that 22 hornet and 222 were popular in them, wouldn't 223 work also? thanks guys. Red | ||
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.357 Mag was a popular choice too. DeHaas's single shot rifle book has info on this action. I think it is pretty stong. Problem is that if you push things to the limit it may tend to shoot loose. I would stick with the lower pressure, by modern standards, and smaller head sizes. That will minimize back thrust and keep things working smoothly for years. If you had an action to fuss with I would consiter stuff like they used to use. 22 Hornet, 218 Bee, 25-20 (my favorite), 32-20, 32 H&R mag, 357 mag and so on. The flatter shooing cartridges, like .223 of hotter, really need a scope. Scopes look odd on this rifle, to me. Bull barrels too. I would see one best used as a 32-20, 25-50, 22 hornet, etc. with a good receiver sight. Make it light and handy. Just a thought here. If you want to play try to find a previously messed with rifle. A clean as issued rifle will fetch $400-$600. The vast majority of updated rifles won't match that. Some isse rifles will take 32-20 as factory reamed. If they don't a minimal touch up, with a 32-20 reamer will take care of it. | |||
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I was thinking if I found one around I would try it in 22 hornet or something small. I just thought it would be great with a short barrel and manlicher stock. 357 would be real cool too. hmmmm....... I do know that the BSA manu. 310 cadet is supposed to be the best of them. Thanks a lot for the info! Red | |||
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The little Cadet will take just about anything you can get to load, being mindful of the small barrel shank. Also, rimless rounds are just about out of the question. There are rimless extractors-if you can find one, and if you can afford it! Here's a pic of a couple I built: The top one is a 357 Max (took a deer with it this year), the lower is a .17 Ackley Bee.  | |||
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try the martini forum at rimfire central. I have a bsa .22 with an eric johnson barrel dated 1948- the trigger is exceptional, I one day will get it converted to a 17 of some kind, probably a Mach4 martini forum: http://www.rimfirecentral.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?s=69fe9c4784b2cc0d8d076ca6f38c4755&forumid=69 -tincan | |||
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The 222R was popular here in Australia for these actions. You can have a rimless extractor made but they are a pain in the ass to make work well. | |||
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Bob Snapp is the Martini wizard. He makes a rimmless extractor system for the 222, 223. I have installed a couple of them over the years, and you can not go wrong with it. About 30 years ago I made one up in 225 Win, (I couldn't get 222 Rimmed cases) If I stayed in the starting load range then it was OK. Anything over factory pressure and I could not extract the case. Finally rebarreled it to an 256 Win Mag and used it for a few more years before selling it. Currently have a #12 Martini in 357 Mag, that I need to finish the 1/4 rib and wood. Will use it as a walking rifle for deer etc. The 310 actions are thinner in the sidewalls than the # 12 or 15 actions. Also some of the #12 and 15 actions do not have the cocking indicator lever, but that can be made up and fitted to them. Jim Wisner Custom Metalsmith | |||
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hey Jim! I see you got back up there all right. did you have an uneventful trip? It was a real pleasure meeting you and talking to you. I noticed that Bob Snapp had a bunch of Martini's there. And at the auction when they were doing his barrel job he donated somebody at my table said,"yeah, but only on a Martini!" That is what I want it for, a kick around gun, 357 would be good for me, I will have to see when it comes time if I can find one of those 12 or 15's. Thanks everyone for posting on this, I liked the pictures, I love pictures actually. I think that these martini's setup with a barrel of max. 20" would be great ladies guns, chambered in the small cartridges. I think that is the excuse I will use when I do it,"but honey, I made it for you!" :-) Red | |||
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there's a gunsmith in, I think, louisianna, who makes martinis up from scratch. beautiful things. is that bob snapp? I've seen the engraved actions in a recent gun digest. -tincan | |||
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Barrel shand diameter is the limiting factor with the cadet action, you are limited to the smaller head sizes. Still, in 22 you can go to 5.6 x 50R, which is like a .222 mag on steroids. But it probably is best with basic cases like .22 Hornet, the 32-20 family or .357 Mag, suitably necked up or down. Better limit yourself to rimmed cases, unless you are willing to pay for the Snapp rimless extractor. Still, these rifles are loads of fun - I have 2 12/15's converted to CF, a .22 hornet and a .32-20 (well, 30-20 actually...) As most martini's, accuracy usually is there. | |||
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I am about to convert a rimfire to CF. Is the best way to make an offset firing pin? | |||
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Most of the 12/15 actions use a centerfire type firing pin. You can silver solder an offset tip onto the end. However the simple way is to refit the ends of the lever that cam and hold the breech block in place. This will lower the breech block. It will require enough metal to come off the lugs that you will think about it twice, but it works.You will need the barrel off. You will refit the lugs, reassemble the action and measure the firing pin hole to see if you are centered in the barrel threads. Remember a little goes a long way. After several goes at it you have the breech block in the center of barrel threads. Then you will have to bush the breech face to reduce the firing pin hole. I normally set it up in an milling machine and cut a 3/8 diameter x .050" deep hole and press in a bushing made from 4140 or O-1 drill rod. If you go to deep the firing pin will push the bushing out. Then you will have to make a lathe stud that screws into the rear of the breech bolt. Put the stud and breech block in the lathe and drill a #47 hole thru the bushing. Also turn down the tip of the pin to fit the smaller hole. Now the fun starts. Since you lowered the breech block the face is now off square. With the barrel removed you can assemble the action and close it. With a depth mike read the top and bottom of the face of the breech block. The breech block face will have to be resurfaced to square it to the bore. Otherwise you will have problems closing and opening the action with ammo. Some of the larger calibers that I have done or seen on the small martini action are. 25-35 WCF, 30-30 WCF, 32 Win SPL. 7-30 Waters. I did one in 25-35 Ackley Imp. I don't recommend it, had to grind a lot out of the loading groove in the top of the breech block to load the gun. That large straight shoulder will not bend. You will have the same problems with the 32-40 WCF and 38-55 WCF. The action is just not long enough for them. Jim Wisner Custom Metalsmith. | |||
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Have never liked this action - no safety. It is possible that Bob Snapp can make one, he has put safeties on a couple of BSA detachable action Martinis for me. | |||
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Hi DagoRed I have a Cadet Martini in 218 Mashburn Bee. It is a great little rifle. My wife loves to shoot it. Regards Deafdog | |||
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I have Martini's in 22 Mag, 17AH, 17/222Rimmed, 218 M/Bee and 222Rimmed. The 17/222Rimmed is probably the pick of them 3800fps with a Hornady 25gn HP but all are great little small game rifles. | |||
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Safety? Who needs a Safety? The most important safety is the one beween your ears... If that one isn't functioning, nothing is going to make any firearm safe. I prefer no safety over a bad one. | |||
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Dago Sir: I have one in 218, was K hornet and was rebarreled. I find extraction problems with the HOT Bee loads so THIS rifle needs some tinkering say toolp steel pins and so on. The Bee has a 15 twist APEX (califinoria Barrel) installed by Sam May, shoot good enough for the Coyotes to 300. I believe that these actions were tested to 60,000 PSI by Ackley. Clarence | |||
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Quote: Especially on a single shot. | |||
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Keep your plow and sword, know how to use both. | |||
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The Martini is not hard to re-barrel but cutting it for an extractor can give you instant heartburn. Spearchucker has a drawing and instructions on the fitting, on his barrel listing. Its a must read. Never rode a bull, but have shot some. NRA life member NRA LEO firearms instructor (retired) NRA Golden Eagles member | |||
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I thought I had saved this to my favorites instead of a reply. I try to keep a record of info for my notebook from J. Wisner, Spearchucker and a few of the others when they comment on something of interest. I blew the dust off a few small Martini actions that were squirreled away. Next victims up I guess. You are right - those extractors can be a bear to get them right! Keep your plow and sword, know how to use both. | |||
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I have one in 7-30 Waters and my brother has one in .223. I have had them in .218 Bee, .310 Grener, .32-20, and .357Magnum. They all work and I have had no issues as long as I stayed with loads listed in the various reloading manuals. They are also not too hard to fit with a safety. One morning I shot an elephant in my pajamas. How he got into my pajamas I'll never know. - Groucho Marx | |||
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