Martini Question

T

tbloggins

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So, I have an old .577/450 Martini in the lockup. I haven't had it out in over thirty years. I don't even remember which model it is. I used to reload and shoot it at black powder cartridge shoots, but trying to reload and find cases became a huge PITA.

I've always liked the Martini action and have wanted to build a .303 Martini sporter.

I know there are .303's out there already made in that caliber. I understand it's also relatively easy to find the .303 parts (barrel and extractor) and convert a .577/.450 over.

Would a straight across trade be worth it?

What do people think? Let's hear some suggestions please.
 
It sounds like you have a nice Martini, I would not mess with it, if at all possible. IMHO if you have a decent gun you have more value in an unmolested rifle than a converted one. If it is a marginal shooter with pitted bore then ("maybe") you might be doing it a favor.

As far as value, throw up a picture or two of the gun and you will quickly get some brutally honest values.
 
If reloading has become a chore try to trade it for what you want, I don't know anything about that particular rifle but if it shoots a .577 cal bullet using 450 grains of powder that has to be a blast.
 
depending on the model it will have a .468-.470 bore casings are $5 a piece lee makes dies but you need a 480gr .470" or so mold only place i seen this is cast bullet engineering its made just for the martini

plz do not convert it

go here for info http://britishmilitariaforums.yuku.com/ watch what your buying with the .303's alot of them are fakes made in khyber pass witch are not safe at all i would not think twice about pluging the bore with a steel rod
 
Skinny 1950 said:
If reloading has become a chore try to trade it for what you want, I don't know anything about that particular rifle but if it shoots a .577 cal bullet using 450 grains of powder that has to be a blast.
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the 577 is because the shell is based on a 577 snider case and the 450 is the nominal bore diameter (not groove) Groove diameter is about 461 if my memory is correct.

Some martinis were converted to 303s around 1900, I am presuming for target shooting. With a bit of luck you might stumble across one of them. I don't know but would be surprised if the threads on a 303 lee enfield are the same diameter and pitch as in a martini

cheers mooncoon
 
Lee Enfield and Martini barrel shanks are 1-14, so a Lee barrel can be fitted to a Martini. Forend won't fit, of course. Apart from a modified extractor, the firing pin was reduced in diameter. This was done by milling a dovetail across the breechblock face, and fitting a plate, in which a new firing pin hole was drilled. The firing pin was turned to a smaller diameter.
There are Martini Enfields (and Martini Metfords) around. Bores may have suffered from early cordite ammunition. .303 is certainly a lot easy to shoot than the .577-.450.
 
id still not butcher a real deal martini even if the caliber is pricey i now have 2 martini henry mk iv's one that does not have the best bore but it still shoots real nice with the military load buy a martini enfield do not butcher the old girl just bacause you think its too pricey to reload for its just greedy to do so
 
camerl2009 said:
id still not butcher a real deal martini even if the caliber is pricey i now have 2 martini henry mk iv's one that does not have the best bore but it still shoots real nice with the military load buy a martini enfield do not butcher the old girl just bacause you think its too pricey to reload for its just greedy to do so
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I'm cheap and greedy? Really? You may have misread my first post.

This gun had been reblued (cold, I think) and the stock refinished (not very well) when I got it. So it's antique value is suspect at best. I'm all for preserving antiques, but I'm not one of those purists, that won't replace something, with a modern piece, if it's missing or keep it as a paperweight because something is broken, but it can be fixed by manufacturing a new part.
 
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tbloggins said:
I'm cheap and greedy? Really? You may have misread my first post.

This gun had been reblued (cold, I think) and the stock refinished (not very well) when I got it. So it's antique value is suspect at best. I'm all for preserving antiques, but I'm not one of those purists, that won't replace something, with a modern piece, if it's missing or keep it as a paperweight because something is broken, but it can be fixed by manufacturing a new part.
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When push comes to shove, if you can't do the work yourself, sell the rifle you have to someone looking for what you have and look for a Martini that's already been converted.

I've done a couple and there really isn't much to it, other than a bit more labor is needed to do it right. That's the expensive part, the labor.

If you decide to go ahead with the project and I have no objections if you do, look for a No 1 barrel, rather than a No4. The slimmer contour of the No 1 barrel is more acceptable appearance wise and matches the millitar contours that were converted under contract.

The No 1 barrels don't require as much fiddling with the inletting on the fore end either.

Seeing as you aren't destroying any real history here, you might want to think about going to a .308 bore instead or even something equally interesting like 6.5 or 7mm maybe even a 338/303. That's a very interesting wildcat and it's a real mauler. You may even consider some of the 22, 6mm and 25 wildcats on the 303 case.

The Aussies are experts on those types of wildcats and chambered them in Martini as well as all models of Lee Enfield rifles. Some with very impressive results.

Whatever, have fun. Martinis can be addicting, just like any other single shots.
 
The original cartridge is actually quite a heavy hitter with power similar to the Sharps series of .45 Cals. and one that could be used on any of our big game at short to mid ranges. .45 cal. bullets weighing 500grains or so, take no prisoners.
 
bearhunter said:
When push comes to shove, if you can't do the work yourself, sell the rifle you have to someone looking for what you have and look for a Martini that's already been converted.

I've done a couple and there really isn't much to it, other than a bit more labor is needed to do it right. That's the expensive part, the labor.

If you decide to go ahead with the project and I have no objections if you do, look for a No 1 barrel, rather than a No4. The slimmer contour of the No 1 barrel is more acceptable appearance wise and matches the millitar contours that were converted under contract.

The No 1 barrels don't require as much fiddling with the inletting on the fore end either.

Seeing as you aren't destroying any real history here, you might want to think about going to a .308 bore instead or even something equally interesting like 6.5 or 7mm maybe even a 338/303. That's a very interesting wildcat and it's a real mauler. You may even consider some of the 22, 6mm and 25 wildcats on the 303 case.

The Aussies are experts on those types of wildcats and chambered them in Martini as well as all models of Lee Enfield rifles. Some with very impressive results.

Whatever, have fun. Martinis can be addicting, just like any other single shots.
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Thanks bearhunter (mooncoon & tiriaq also). That's the advice I was looking for. Good practical stuff instead of Antiques Roadshow guys weeping over a paperweight. I have the facilities and the skill to accomplish the task and I reckoned there wasn't much to do the conversion. Thousands were done by the Brits.

At least, now, it'll get shot.

Update: I've been offered a very nice deal on a .303 one from a member here. I'll refurb that one.

Thanks to all mentioned.
 
ben hunchak said:
The original cartridge is actually quite a heavy hitter with power similar to the Sharps series of .45 Cals. and one that could be used on any of our big game at short to mid ranges. .45 cal. bullets weighing 500grains or so, take no prisoners.
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I think I heard somewhere, the manual, or some such from the time, mentioned that at 100 yards it would penetrate two Zulus and wound a third.

Mind, if I need that kind of power, I have a .58 cal rifle that I built that'll fill that gap.;)

Cheers.
 
your now marked as a bubba this rifle is far from a paper weight it can be shot as is someones just too cheap to by brass sell the rifle and buy one in .303

like i said i have 2 rifles i ive shot them both its far from cheap but its cheaper then buying loaded ammo for it

the .577-450 is not something to be taken lightly this can take anything in north america and most african plains game with the military load i bought mine for hunting moose and trying to go for a bison but ive had no luck so far on the bison draw so im bringing it down to georgia to hunt some wild hogs

And don't forget. That isn't your Martini you have. It belonged to others before you and will belong to others after you are gone. Look after it, and pass it on with pride. It deserves it." Malcolm Cobb, The Martini Henry Note-book
 
camerl2009 said:
your now marked as a bubba this rifle is far from a paper weight it can be shot as is someones just too cheap to by brass sell the rifle and buy one in .303

like i said i have 2 rifles i ive shot them both its far from cheap but its cheaper then buying loaded ammo for it

the .577-450 is not something to be taken lightly this can take anything in north america and most african plains game with the military load i bought mine for hunting moose and trying to go for a bison but ive had no luck so far on the bison draw so im bringing it down to georgia to hunt some wild hogs

And don't forget. That isn't your Martini you have. It belonged to others before you and will belong to others after you are gone. Look after it, and pass it on with pride. It deserves it." Malcolm Cobb, The Martini Henry Note-book
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Are you even reading what's been posted before? I'm marked as a bubba? You are now marked as the classic fudd. How's that? I live where you do. If you want to argue my 40 years of firearms collecting, working, manufacturing, repairing and modifying, shoot me a PM. I won't even bother bringing the medals, ornaments and bling I've won for shooting. You sound like a lightweight that hangs on someone else's opinions.

I hate it when idiots insert themselves into perfectly good threads to push their own narrow minded agenda.

Bubba my ass. I've likely saved more firearms than you've ever handled. Three in the last 4 weeks for example.

BTW, learn how to converse using proper grammar and punctuation. You won't look like an illiterate idiot.

I'll let my trader rating stand against your's.;)
 
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