Martini BSA 22 Hornet

[Doc W]

I have a beautiful Martini action that is chambered for 22 Hornet. The fired cases repeatedly stick and will not extract. I sent it to one gunsmith but without success. Does anyone know a gunsmith that could fix this? Any other ideas? Would it help to rechamber it to K Hornet? Any help would be appreciated!

 

[watercam]

Try lowering your charge weight a half grain. I have an original Winchester Low-wall that had the same issue until I throttled back the load a tad. These actions are not quite as strong as modern bolt actions.

 

[MrMajestic]

Oh they're strong but their extraction isn't great..

 

[Doc W]

The rifle was built by Virgin Valley Custom Rifles but they went out of business. Anyone know a competent gunsmith familiar with these rifles?

 

[hpshooter]

"Try lowering your charge weight a half grain. I have an original Winchester Low-wall that had the same issue until I throttled back the load a tad. These actions are not quite as strong as modern bolt actions."

In addition to reducing the charge incrementally be sure the chamber and cartridge cases have no oil in or on them. Martini actions, both small and large, develop very little extraction force and bottleneck cartridges can set back hard against the breach block making opening and extraction difficult or impossible even at what nowadays would be considered a mild to moderate load . Have had similar problems in a .218 Bee small action Martini.

 

[MrMajestic]

The rifle was built by Virgin Valley Custom Rifles but they went out of business. Anyone know a competent gunsmith familiar with these rifles?

Doc, there really isn't much to them. Remove the trigger group and you have a milled piece of steel and a barrel. Lot's of really nice "artist" type of stuff has been done and I love them but not mechanically difficult. JMHO
I have 5 miniature Martinis and probably need to attend a support group...

 

[Kings X]

Sometimes old chambers get corrosion build ups. A good polish with 400 grit wet/dry sandpaper will remove it.
Also new brass might be in order. Seems like old stuff looses it spring back.
Yes the less taper on a K Hornet might help. My very old (1870) action is in K Hornet.

 

[Doc W]

Thanks for all the information! I didn’t intend to have another reloading project. I just wanted a neat rifle to take care of armadillos and skunks here on the ranch. Anyway, I ordered a set of dies this evening. Thanks Again!
Mark

 

[Doc W]

Sat down today and reloaded some of the once fired factory loaded Nosler brass. These were the ones that consistently stuck in the chamber. Loaded 12.0 grains of Lil Gun which is a compressed load. Test fired three behind the barn. All extracted perfectly. Now to see how they group.
Thanks for all the advice and help!