Martini action

[steg]

I'm thinking about putting a 45/70 together using a Large Martini action, If I can find one, I'm wondering just what kind of pressures the Action can take, Anyone know for sure?..............................steg

[Frank46]

If you are thinking of using one of the 577/450 type martini actions go for the MKIV. Which is the latest ones made. But these actions were made about 100 years ago. I would keep the loads at trapdoor levels to be safe. Believe me when I say this, your shoulder will let you know what hot is. I have fired warmish loads from my ruger #1 in 45/70. And that's about all the fun I want. Frank

[steg]

That's what I thought also, a friend told me they could take the same pressures as a Ruger, I have a #3 in 45/70, Yep I know what warm feels like, LOL. thanks for taking the time Frank, I appreciate it......................steg

[torpedoman]

many were rebarreled to 303 Brit by Enfield  I do not know how the pressures really compare.

[Frank46]

I believe that the as loaded 303 British cartridges back in the developement of the 303 chambered martinis origionally ere loaded with a compressed pellet of black powder prior to the invention of the cordite smokeless powder. Fast forward to the present day. 303 british cartridges are loaded to approximately 45,000 psi. And while many of the 303 chambered martinis are being fired with modern ammo, you do have to remember that these actions are over 100 years old. If I were to rebarrel a MKIV martini to 45/70 I still would keep pressures at trapdoor levels. As I shoot mostly cast bullets, I'm sure one would find an accurate load that would prove to be enjoyable. I know it sounds like I'm repeating myself, but you only get one set of eyes. If you do rebarrel to 45/70 make sure the smith also bushes the firing pin hole and makes a smaller diameter tip on the striker. Frank

[Hank08]

I have a lot of Martinis in large and small actions from modern varmint calibers to large calibers like the 45/70.  I've found them to be very strong.  A normal weight Martini in a large caliber like the 45/70, the shooter will reach his limit of recoil long before the rifle reaches it's limit of pressure.  Here's a pic of my 45/70, made by Westley Richards and weights only 6 1/2 lbs.
It'll take way more than I can take.
H
H08

[ratdog]

back in 1968 when i was a boy my buddies dad a gunsmith built two rifles in 45-70 we would hunt jack rabbits with them a blast not much recoil with are hand loads.

[geezerbiker]

Can any of you recommend a gunsmith for Martini work in Oregon?  I have a small action British BSA that needs firing pin work...

Tony

[Hank08]

geezerbiker, do a google search for "gunsmiths in Oregon" there's a big list of them, find one close to you, find one that's familiar with what you want done.
H08

[geezerbiker]

The problem I need fixed is because of bad gunsmithing by a smith I didn't know.  I'd like to find someone known to do good work on Martinis...

Tony

[torpedoman]

The problem I need fixed is because of bad gunsmithing by a smith I didn't know.  I'd like to find someone known to do good work on Martinis...

Tony

 John Taylor, tailor machine  palayup Washington. (city misspelled) just type in taylor machine in your search box. Great work martini specialist. You may have to wait your turn but he is worth it.
http://www.johntaylormachine.com/49.0.html

[.22-5-40]

Hello, steg.  Be sure and have that action checked out before chambering to some shoulder busting round.  I read an article by an Englishman..and I can't seem to find it now, but he served his apprentiship in one of the major British arms factories, in the early 1950"s I believe.  There was alot of importing to the U.S. of actions then, and one of his first jobs was to keep the fires going in the furnaces...there were stacks of original Martini-Henry military rifles, & this chap would chuck them into the fire!  After the wood had burned off, the metal parts were raked out & after cooling, packed up & shipped here!

[geezerbiker]

 John Taylor, tailor machine  palayup Washington. (city misspelled) just type in taylor machine in your search box. Great work martini specialist. You may have to wait your turn but he is worth it.
http://www.johntaylormachine.com/49.0.html
[/quote]

Thanx.  I've hear about him but this is the first time someone has given me a first hand recommendation.  I'll likely ship him my rifle and plan a trip north to pick it up when it's ready.

Tony

[torpedoman]

  45-70 martini work in progress, this just back from barrel fitting.

fore arm fitted but not shaped yet. 

Looking for used tang sight or Parker-hale set up for rear sights.

[Goatwhiskers]

Love a Martini, have 3, an Enfield in 30/40AI, a Cadet in .357Max, and another Cadet waiting for me to decide what caliber I want.  This thread reminds me of one I saw at a gun show: Enfield type in 45/70, only problem was it had a 20" pencil sized barrel and slim wood.  Can't imagine what the recoil would have been.  I passed on that one but sorta wish I hadn't.  Goatwhiskers

[Brithunter]

Until 2009 when I sold it too make room for something else I had an original British military Martini AC11 in .303. It was first built as a ICI in 577/450 in 1888. In 1898 it was converted by the Henry Rifle barrel Co to AC11 configuration and .303 so was proofed for normal MkV1 Cordite ammunition. As it bore no commercial proofs and military ones are not legal for sale here the carbine was proofed in 1996 at the London Proof House and so stamped. The AC11 (Artillery Carbine second pattern) was last issued to the Army Pay Corps in 1909 according to it's stock disc then relegated to cadet/training use and marked .... "Not For Ball" but the barrel was not cut.


I also have a Muscat Martini .303 bore of Belgian manufacture but do not know the age of that one. The 303 Breech blocks are steel instead of iron like the original 577/450 ones. Some iron ones were converted by having a steel plate dovetailed into the face.