Rechamberiing a Martini .310 Cadet to 32-20

[josquin]

Any gunsmiths out there (preferably B.C.) have a 32-20 reamer? I have a Martini .310 Cadet (for which I have a spare barrel) which I'd like to rechamber.

Some time ago I got .310 brass (modified 32-20) from Buffalo Arms as well as the heeled bullets from a chap in the US, but this partic. Cadet seems to have an odd chamber (although it is a .310) and the brass was too long, even when trimmed down to the shortest official length for this cartridge. So I am thinking that the easiest route is to have it rechambered for 32-20, but use the heeled bullets crimped into a regular 32-20 case.

Another alternative would be to have it bored out to .357 Mag. but that is going to get expensive and the 32-20 should be fine for plinking and maybe silhouette.

Stuart

 

[winchester_070]

Stuart,
Try Bevin King he has lots of reamers for older (and newer) cartriges

 

[moosebeans]

please quit troubling your self and sell above rifle to me LOL.

 

[josquin]

please quit troubling your self and sell above rifle to me LOL.

You wish!

Stuart

 

[outdoors]

reamer

David JENNINGs of Jennings Outdoor Sports in B.C does lots of work on old Winchester lever actions, single shots, etc. and keeps a good supply of reamers on hand.

I have used him twice for lever action jobs and both were well done.

Regards,

Outdoors

 

[Medaltadave]

You can also rechamber it to 32 Winchester Special.

 

[josquin]

You can also rechamber it to 32 Winchester Special.

Yes, but I suspect that the recoil might be a bit stiff in a narrow-stocked, 5 lb. rifle. One other alternative is 25-35 although that would require a barrel liner as well.

Buffalo Arms has just advised me that my back-ordered Cadet brass has shipped so I'll likely stick with the .310 for now, since I still have quite a lot of heeled bullets for it. Maybe .357 mag. eventually...

Stuart

 

[Bob Morgan]

310 Martini usually have a bore diameter of .310 & a groove diameter of .318
to .320.
I think the load I used to use was a shortened 32-20 case,5 grs. Unique,a small ball of cotton batten, a 36 cal wonder wad.and a SSG ball.Dime sized groups at 50 feet,noise like a .22.
32-20 ammo will fire in most 310s but accuracy is usually awful.

 

[10x]

Now could this rifle be rechambered to 7.62x 25?
This would be a wonderfull caliber in any single shot rifle.

 

[bigbull]

310 Martini usually have a bore diameter of .310 & a groove diameter of .318
to .320.

32-20 ammo will fire in most 310s but accuracy is usually awful.

X2

I agree with all of the above. It would be simpler to try and resolve the chamber problem than trying to rebore to a larger caliber. Alot of the Cadets were redone in 357 Mag. I have one of them and like it but wouldn't start a project of converting one without deep pockets. Their true value is in their rarity and condition, keep it original. RCBS sells a bullet mould for this caliber, it would be worth looking into if you find a solution to your chamber.
Have you made a chamber cast ?
Have you slugged your barrel?
bigbull

 

[ben hunchak]

My cadet would not permit rechambering to any of the longer cals. mentioned above...ie; 25/35 or .32 WS...trough gets in the way!!