Martini Henry

Musketfire

Musketfire

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Hi guys!

Well I am to be the proud owner of a martini henry in a couple of weeks.
Until now I have just stuck with flintlock military arms, so Im shure you can understand my excitement. "It will be my first rifled black powder arm thats not my traditions tennessee carbine"


I would really like to hear any information and experience any one may have with them.


Pictures would be nice aswell.

"the one I am soon to receive is a 5th pattern long lever"

Its all thanks to the gunnutz forum!!!:dancingbanana:
 
I love mine tho its a Custom built gun with a Ruger 45 70 barrel spun onto it with a nice Stock.
Its my Fav hunting gun as i can move thru the bush fast.
There fast to reload,very fast!

I love mine and its Antique to boot.
This was built by a Freind who knows his stuff it shoots 1600 FPS loads kicks like a fricken mule with that short barrel.
But im loading Trail boss now and shooting lighter loads. :)

Click on pics to Enlarge.


 
dingus said:
I love mine tho its a Custom built gun with a Ruger 45 70 barrel spun onto it with a nice Stock.
Its my Fav hunting gun as i can move thru the bush fast.
There fast to reload,very fast!

I love mine and its Antique to boot.
This was built by a Freind who knows his stuff it shoots 1600 FPS loads kicks like a fricken mule with that short barrel.
But im loading Trail boss now and shooting lighter loads. :)

Click on pics to Enlarge.


Click to expand...

Very nice rifle, Dingus!
I love martinis!
Cat
 
dingus said:
I love mine tho its a Custom built gun with a Ruger 45 70 barrel spun onto it with a nice Stock.
Its my Fav hunting gun as i can move thru the bush fast.
There fast to reload,very fast!

I love mine and its Antique to boot.
This was built by a Freind who knows his stuff it shoots 1600 FPS loads kicks like a fricken mule with that short barrel.
But im loading Trail boss now and shooting lighter loads. :)

Click on pics to Enlarge.


Click to expand...




Wow!
Now thats a fine rifle, though I can't get the picts to enlarge.

When I get my rifle, do I proof it like my muskets a la rifle secured to a truck tire and a lanyard of bail twine on the trigger?

Thanks For the reply

Rob
 
Nice Martini. That is a safety selector on the receiver? I would like to hunt with mine but the lack of a safety makes me a little nervous and walking around with the action open and a cartridge in hand seems questionable.
 
Yes its a Safety, I think that was installed into the Antique action later.
tho i have seen Antique Martinis with Saftey levers just like mine.
 
Greener GPs are Martini Actions and have safety catches/decockers.Although designed as shotguns they are large ring receivers and can take most barrels.
 
A full load of black powder....up to the base of the bullet...of FG. The diameter of the bullet you will need will depend on the Mk. # of Martini Henry you have purchased. Moulds are available from Lee along with dies. I do shoot a duplex load with seven grains of SR4769 under the FG black which does keep the fouling to a minimum. Enjoy the history. Dave
 
Dantforth said:
A full load of black powder....up to the base of the bullet...of FG. The diameter of the bullet you will need will depend on the Mk. # of Martini Henry you have purchased. Moulds are available from Lee along with dies. I do shoot a duplex load with seven grains of SR4769 under the FG black which does keep the fouling to a minimum. Enjoy the history. Dave
Click to expand...

I have some pyrodex that I bought when I first got into flintlocks...Little did I know then that subs and flintlocks are like oil and water.

Could I use the pyrodex in the martini cartridge,are rifle primers hot enough?
This is a whole new realm of shooting for me.

I hate the subs I just want to use this junk up so it ceases to mock me every time I open the musket safe.

Oh yeah its a enfield mk IV martini henry long lever.

The gent I am buying it from Is including 1 or 2 lead bullets so I have a proper comparison while casting.

Cheers
 
Mk. 4's take a larger diameter bullet than earlier Marks. I believe it would be in the .464-.466" area. I haven't used pyrodex but others have. You should really go to "British Militaria Forums" to ask and to look at their reloading pages. Dave
 
I have used Pyrodex in my Martini and use Federal primers and have never had a problem.

Here is a question.

I shoot my Martini using a chamber adaptor system. It uses magnum rifle brass that has the necks blown out (fireforming). This way I am actually using a streaight walled case, so no problems (?) with necked cases. In addition the case capacity is reduced to 70 grains.

So here is my question. I have never fired one of the original 450/577 loads meant for the Martini. I am interested in getting some cases and loadin her up but I have heard that recoil is fearsome. Any comments?

Cheers.
 
Recoil is fearsome?????? I don't think so but then I am 6'2" and 220 pounds (don't tell my doctor!). I use the NDFS turned cases when I can as they have a reduced capacity and fill with 70 grains. I have Bell and other drawn cases and have shot 90 grains with no ill affects. The chamber adaptor sounds interesting. Is it just a turned case with a straight hole up through? I use Goex "FG" as it takes more space. I have Swiss in their coarsest but haven't tried it as it is supposed to be 15-20% stronger. Dave
 
stevejones said:
I have used Pyrodex in my Martini and use Federal primers and have never had a problem.

Here is a question.

I shoot my Martini using a chamber adaptor system. It uses magnum rifle brass that has the necks blown out (fireforming). This way I am actually using a streaight walled case, so no problems (?) with necked cases. In addition the case capacity is reduced to 70 grains.

So here is my question. I have never fired one of the original 450/577 loads meant for the Martini. I am interested in getting some cases and loadin her up but I have heard that recoil is fearsome. Any comments?

Cheers.
Click to expand...
I have, its a combination of straightish stock, steel buttplate and prone position when using full loads. Oddly enough the .577 Snider didnt seem as bad.
If I had the choice of firing position were I to fire one all day long it definetly would be standing.
It must be the stock design as I fired a .303 one and when we got to the cavalry carbine it was uncomfortable to say the least.
 
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Dantforth said:
Recoil is fearsome?????? I don't think so but then I am 6'2" and 220 pounds (don't tell my doctor!). I use the NDFS turned cases when I can as they have a reduced capacity and fill with 70 grains. I have Bell and other drawn cases and have shot 90 grains with no ill affects. The chamber adaptor sounds interesting. Is it just a turned case with a straight hole up through? I use Goex "FG" as it takes more space. I have Swiss in their coarsest but haven't tried it as it is supposed to be 15-20% stronger. Dave
Click to expand...

The chamber adaptors are exactly as you described. Theyare turned steel and the magnum brass "swages" into them. The only problems I have had is that because the necks have been anealed they are soft. If you drop one then you have a deformed case mouth that no amount of harsh language can straighten out.
I am going to get some proper cases and try them out. Finding "FG" might be a problem so I will be using "FFG".
Does your ammo give good accuracy? I have been using 70g Pyrodex RS with a heavy carboard wad and using "bore butter" for lube. Its ok but it could be better.
Where are you getting Swiss powder?
 
Anyone know where I can get some 577/450 brass? I found some at a shop in Ontario a couple years ago. Now I;ll be dammed if I can remember who it was. Can anyone help?
 
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