Has any one taken a look at the arms cache that has been imported to the US from Nepal ? www.Atlantacutlery.com The Martini Henry rifles are very interesting. $795 for a pattern 1871 and $550 for a 1880 both short levers. I think they have a long lever model as well. One of theese actions would make a great basis for a custom shooter. Any ideas on what would be great caliber conversions ?????

Shoot the original. Any loads up to 45/90 and be used. I've shot mine with 43.5gn 3031 and 520gn bullet and with 90gn FFG and the same projectile. For the convertors, 40/65, 45/70, 45/90 and 50/70 will work. The local gunsmith has his own project as a showpiece in 444Marlin, but I like the original round especially if you have a spiked hat and pretend that there are Zulu's downrange.

BA's right - 577-450 is a dandy to shoot! Very nice with BP, and impressive too... You surely develop a healthy respect for the Victorian-era soldier who was shooting these rifles, recoil is 'healthy'!
BA, seems like a nice one you have...

Any preferences in the 1871 vs 1880 short lever models ? Is
the 1871 the proper one for the Zulu period ? Can you find brass for theese ? I think I saw that knyoch still loads the 577/450.

I bought mine many years ago for a kings ransome price $US380 at auction (when the going rate was $US175-200). The bore is mirror finish mint, stock perfect all matching parts.



I fired a 10 shot benchrest group at 50yds with 85gns of BP and 520gn cast bullet for a single 1.25" ragged hole. It is shot every month in Service rifle competitions and has recorded one master grade score shooting against A3 Springfields, 8mm Mausers & 6.5mm Sweds.



I hate to say it but as the years roll by, I like to shoot stuff older than myself







Bertram Bullet Co., here in Australia makes brass that last exceptionally well. My cases would be approaching 35 reloads without splitting but the brass is worked very little if you stay with BP loads. We pay $AU140/20 cases and a local toolmaker is making dies for $AU165/set.



The bullet I recommend is the 462-500 made by CBE here in Australia and marketed through the Ammo Dump. Other than custom moulds, nobody else makes a production mould of this size. He also supplies a .462 lube/sizer die. I load 70gn FFG through a drop tube and fill the remainder with corn meal, cap with a card wad and seat a lubed projectile. 70gn seems perfectly regulated to the existing sight settings i.e 100yd,200yd,300yds etc. Top load of 105gn FG is specticular but downright punishing in a 9lb rifle with a steel buttplate and my bare shoulder!



http://www.users.bigpond.com/ammodump/

http://www.users.bigpond.com/ammodump/cbe_109.jpg



P.S. I just got me a 1883/1895 ME 303 complete in perfect shooting condition. They look real good SxS as a matched pair!

Bad Ass,

Would the local toolmaker also happen to make dies for 500/450 #2 musket? I am just looking for such a dieset -and a reamer too, by the way, if he is a toolmaker...
I just loaded aabout 40 rounds of 577-450 yesterday, all ready for some sport. Although I do prefer my 500/450 Steyr Martini, but then there's the ZAR, and the Swinburn sporter, and... Mind you, mine are not as minty as yours is. I have that very same mould - actually I had them cut me a double-cavity mould with both the the 420 and 500 gr bullet in a large block. For some rifles, I also use the 500gr .467 mould they make. I usually load about 85-87 grs of Swiss Fg, and let fly... Once the smoke clears, people do tend to notice that big grin on your face!

Chuck,
Brass is available from different sources - but I prefer drawn brass, less delicate but more costly... That means Kynoch, Bertram or Horneber. As to preference, I heard that it is worthwhile to take the handpicked option, and that the long-levers are in the best condition. These do require a .470 bullet, though...

No, he is making 577 Snider though. CH list 500/450 #2 dies at $US138
http://www.ch4d.com/

ChuckWagon,
If you want a full size martini custom rifle, I happen to have one chambered in 219 Zipper Imp. for sale.
My email is cookie8@citynet.net, if your interested.
TDLefty
PS: the 219 Zipper Imp. is the top gun in this photo

Are the long levers a different caliber ? I didn't see a hand pick option on the web site. Did you see that or hear of it on another site ???

I just found another site with the hand selected options. 1885 Long lever, hand select out of 50 with mark 3 bayonet $756. www.spoertsmansguide.com The earlier short lever hand select Martini with early date and bayonet and scabbord is $917.

Very nice TDLefty,
What calibres are the other two?

BA Wallace,
The middle one is a 219Zipper (not improved) and the lower one is a 6mm/303 that is now restocked in crotchwood oak.
I enjoy seeing your martini's, but my favorites are the 1960's style custom jobs. Do you remember when King Gun Works used to customize cadets?
My two latest Cadets are chambered in 22mag and 17HMR, but I also have a 303, a 45/70, and a 12ga shotgun built on the full size action. Then there's the 222R built on the little cadet action. All Martini's are good.
TDLefty

I'll try & get you some pics of the rest;

I got Sporting Cadets in 22WRM, 17AH, 17/222Rimmed, 222Rimmed and 218 Mashburn Bee plus a number of 310's and BSA 12/15's, a BSA 15, a Vickers 22RF target rifle and a little takedown 22 with a Leupold pistol scope mounted on the barrel.

In the big ones, 3x303's, 40/65 & 577/450 and a Greener GP shotgun.

Then there is 4 x 1874 Sharps, a RB, and 9 x Ruger No 1's.

Gotta love those single shots!

What do you guys think of the prices that I put up. Are they a good buy or a wait and see ? I was really interested in the cache of Sharps rifles that they had found in 54 cal. Some were carbines. I have not seen any of those for sale on theese web sites.

Okay B.A, you're ate up with it! I'd love to see pictures of your rifles.
Wouldn't sell or trade the 17AH would you?
I'd love to see photos of your Martini's. If you like, I'll post the 17HMR and 22mag. for you.
BTW, my 12ga. is also a Greener takedown model.
And, I mounted a 2-7 pistol scope on the barrel of my 303. Great minds DO think alike. It works great. I nicknamed it "scout". Hehe.
TDLefty

Chuckwagon,
Unless another cache is unearthed somewhere, I don't see those prices going down, so you had better buy or or be a lucky guy later...
And yes, MK I to III were around .462-.465, whereas most all Mk IV's have a .470-ish bore. Why? Now there's a good question...