I've posted this pic before, but in case someone missed it...

The top one is chambered in .357 Maximum, the bottom in .17 Ackley Bee.
The Max is about as long a cartridge as will fit in the Cadet action without modification. I've taken one deer with this rig, using Remington factory 180's. Did an outstanding one shot kill at about 125 yds. It really is a nice light weight rig. I plan to replace the scope (currently a 2.5x) with a red dot, however, mainly to make loading a bit easier. I really haven't had time to try and work up handloads for it yet-or do any serious work with .357mag/38spl ammo.
The little .17 was an indifferent shooter until I discovered Hornady's 20gr Vmax. The little rifle fell in love. It is VERY ammunition sensitive. Loads must be assembled with care. It will shoot sub one inch-but not in the .5 inch range consistantly.
Fun guns.....

Very nice indeed I've yet to modify the lever on my hornet to acept the new stock (which I have to finnish and oil) as a mater of interest is the lever on a matini mild steel or is a spring or high carbon steel?

It's mild steel. Make a sheet metal template of the stock curve. Put the business end of the lever in a vise, heat the handle and bend it to the sheet metal pattern. Let it stay in the vise until cool, do not quench.

Cheers mate . I've got a pet Boilermaker in Quorn (my nearest town ) so I may pay the Boy a visit tomorrow bearing gifts of muir, gold ,frankensense(to say nothing of compumas amonts of cheap booze)& ask him to bend it up for me.(cause if he dont not only will I release the name of the shop the leather goods came from .I will also name the youth centre the other party involved inthe photos I have of him came from

quote:

Originally posted by Waterfowler:
Wallace,
Do you think it's important to use the thick-wall action for high-pressure chamberings? Reason I ask is that I picked up a BSA thin wall centerfire (originally .300 Extra Long) that I plan to barrel in .257x50R. I seem to recall Seyfried mentioning he felt they were strong enough for any round that would fit. Do you know of any instances of the thin-wall receivers failing?
Thanks

The thick walled action just has that little more barrel shank thickness. The target trigger is also very good without modification.

As for how big can you go on the small actions, I've seen these rifles chambered for 450 No1 which is 44 Mag case size but in black powder. Two custom jobs that come to mind were 256 Win Mag (357 maximum case) and an exceptional accurate 32/40 with a medium 30" octaganol barrell and a 20x Lyman 'Super Target Spot" scope.

quote:

Originally posted by Bad Ass Wallace:

The thick walled action just has that little more barrel shank thickness. The target trigger is also very good without modification.

I was under the impression that the thin- and thick-wall receivers shared the same thread diameter. The front of my receiver measures 1.2" before dipping inward. The barrel threads measure 0.75". Am I mistaken?

If you have an un mollested cadet rifle consiter leaving it alone. I think sporterizing and altering original antiques is, for the most part, a bad idea. Original Cadets are becoming very scarce. I bet the day will come, and soon, that the unaltered rifle will be the desireable item. And besides, you can get brass and a mould. If you want a long range zapper get a modern rifle in a modern flat shooting caliber.

Actually, Scota... that little Cadet is quite molested, unfortunately. The original butt stock had been replaced with an equally old, whittled-down shotgun butt, and the barrel had been cut to a length of about 9" with a chopsaw. I agree, tis a shame. Were it original, it'd stay that way. It was sold (and bought) strictly as an action for basis of a custom.

I think we're all guilty of 'modifing' heritige list firearms never thinking that one day they'll be like hens teeth. but as long as we resist the temtation to do every one that comes our way.I think our children &their children will have something to look forward to.I am of the opinion that we never own a firearm we are just a custodion for a period of time.Then it moves on down the line to the next shooter