Small Martini Question(s)

[EDELWEISS]

I have an opportunity to pick up a Small Martini action. Its in nice shape. My question is what rounds I could chamber it to use. I know 22LR is popular; but Id like to have something more suitable for medium game. I don't have a clue and my web searches have only confused me...

Suggestions?

 

[nztimb]

Is it a cadet or a rimfire action as that will make a difference.

This was posted on another forum

The martini model 12 only has a barrel shank that is .750 in diameter. Barrel buldging or swelling of the chamber is to be avoided at all costs. The squareness problem when converting 22 rimfire breech blocks should be addressed by the gunsmith doing the conversion. Some have made up little laps to be used when they want the breech face to be square with the chamber.They make up a small threaded bushing for the receiver threads and its this bushing that guides the lap while allowing it to square up the breech face. Ask your gunsmith about this. If he shrugs it off as uneeded find another gunsmith. .

 

[nztimb]

Some information here on the differing small actions

http://www.adamsguns.com/martini.htm

 

[EDELWEISS]

I'm pretty sure it's NOT a rimfire but that's all I even think I know......

 

[Velo Dog]

As boring as some folks think it is, the .30-30 is a low pressure, almost perfectly scaled down .450/.400 Jeffery 3' Nitro Express.
And if your martini action is not too small for the .30-30, it might be a fun project to build a miniature copy of some of the old Pre-War, English made sporting / hunting single shots, based on the large Martini actions.
If your specific action is not quite large enough for the .30-30, perhaps some smaller ones like the .22 Hornet, .25-20 Winchester, .32-20 Winchester or .38 Special (maybe even the somewhat more powerful .357 Magnum ?)

 

[nztimb]

`I posted some good information but it was all deleted as it has links that are not approved of here.

 

[EDELWEISS]

As boring as some folks think it is, the .30-30 is a low pressure, almost perfectly scaled down .450/.400 Jeffery 3' Nitro Express.

.38 Special (maybe even the somewhat more powerful .357 Magnum ?)

I think 30-30 would be cool and perfect for medium game around here.

I suppose I could get some love around 38Spl. but I'm not sure its worth the cost of a build

 

[Excessexpress]

I think 30-30 would be cool and perfect for medium game around here.

I suppose I could get some love around 38Spl. but I'm not sure its worth the cost of a build

What's this "worth the cost of the build" rubbish?

What kind of a gun whore do you think you are?

 

[EDELWEISS]

Hahahaha Im really liking the 30-30; but Im just not sure what Id do with a 38spl.?

 

[Excessexpress]

Hahahaha Im really liking the 30-30; but Im just not sure what Id do with a 38spl.?

Have a lot of fun! It is after all a direct descendant of the concept of the "rook rifle", many if not most of which were small frame Martinis.

 

[drhall762]

.30 WCF is good. Killed a lot of deer. If you want to be different go with a .32 Winchester Special. Nothing more than a .30 WCF necked up for a .32 bullet. The 7-30 Waters is very close pressure wise to the .30WCF. .32-40 WCF if you want something kind of old school. .338 Marlin Express is another one. Even the .444 Marlin would be in the pressure range. The Marlin is about .050 larger in diameter than the .30 WCF.

Of course, you could go with my favorite, the .32-20 WCF.