Rimfire Martini to center fire

[Slash5]

I've just started reloading the .22 Hornet.
I am thinking of getting one of my .22 rimfire Martini's rechambered to .22 Hornet and reloading with .223 bullets.
How difficult is it to have the firing pin rebushed and re-aligned for the center fire?

[marlinman93]

There are a number of ways to go about this, but the .22 rimfire barrel makes a poor choice for a rechamber to Hornet. The twist is wrong for the higher velocity Hornet round, so a rebarrel would be in order. I had a Martini that was fitted with a .22 rimfire barrel rechambere to Hornet, and I couldn't get any accuracy from it, without downloading it too low.
 A better choice would be to get a Cadet centerfire gun, and have it rebarreled with a .22 barrel, with the correct twist. This would also probably be about the same cost as rechambering, and reworking the rimfire block, and extractor.

[Slash5]

I'll have to look into the barrel twist.
The rimfire Martini's are easy to find here in Canada and cheap, while center fire are pretty rare and expensive.
My last two rimfires were $75 and $100, complete with correct sights. Thats $60 and $75 US.

[marlinman93]

That is really cheap! They run about $350-$450 here, and the centerfires run about $250-$350. There is a web site where I see a fella is selling Martini centerfire actions for $245, which includes S&H, but not sure if he sells to Canada?

[Marty]

I am about to see how well my Martini in KHornet shoots. I have reloaded for the Hornet before, but not this one. It was rechambered from a .22 as well. Rebarelling may become an option here as well.
I will have to move to Ontario, I guess; I have never seen a BSA Martini in good shape sell for less than C$250.  Usually is has been in the 250-350 range.  The gun gods must be smiling on you! :-)

If you come across any more in the price range, Slash, drop me a line; friends of mine are looking for some. I am also looking for a decent Cadet buttplate and fron tunnel sight.

Marty

[Slash5]

You're right, $250-$350 CDN is more normal.
I had a bit of good luck. 2 others I own were $300 each.
There are a bunch of the Armed Forces cadet rifles around. One store I know of claims to have a basement full of them.

[Marty]

Hi Slash,
Drop me a PM on the dealer's location for the old cadet martinis. Thanks.
You can reach me via 45Auto on the CGN site.

Marty

[Prince of Wales]

What do you guys think of getting a Martini 22 rimfire and rebarreling to 17 HMR?
 Would an 18" barrel get the job done? Thanks for your opinions. POW

[Slash5]

The place in Ontario with the Martini's is called Ad Hominem, just behind Epps. I'll try to get a phone number.

One of my Martini's has been relined to .17. Works great, but I need to get scope mounts on it. A .17 HMR isn't much use without a scope.

[Prince of Wales]

If I had a Martini centerfire I would probably consider chambering it to the 17 Hornet AI. That would be a nice round and reloadable too. POW