Martini Cadet Question

[DickE]

New project- 22LR conversion to centerfire. I am thinking of a 22 Nosler. Welcome comments and insight.
Looking to rebarrel.

 

[SSL]

No expert, but that might be a bit much cartridge for that action. Most of the conversions I'm aware off were .22 Hornets and .218 Bees. I had one in .218 Mashburn Bee that was a top-notch shooter. Wish I still had it.

 

[hpshooter]

No expert, but that might be a bit much cartridge for that action. Most of the conversions I'm aware off were .22 Hornets and .218 Bees. I had one in .218 Mashburn Bee that was a top-notch shooter. Wish I still had it.

I have seen a couple in .222 and .222 rimed. The Frank De Haas (?) book on single shot actions addresses the question of cartridges that the action is safe with in his opinion. It has been so long since I have read the book that I won't "recommend" anything I haven't actually seen. One of the son-in-laws has a cadet action in .218 Bee his dad built years ago and I have loaded for that for them and have shot it. I have two .22 rimfires and one original .310.

 

[JSH]

A bit to much HP I think with the 22 Nosler. I would be more in line with a 22-357/357 max. Pretty much a rimmed 221FB. The firing pin bolt may be the largest obstacle to overcome.
epc308 sees this I imagine he will comment.

 

[DickE]

Have the reamer, cases, and dies. Had to ask.

 

[JohnKielly]

see if you can find some one willing to trade a centerfire martini for a rimfire one & save the hassle of rebuilding the block and finding the appropriate firing pin.

 

[DickE]

I have seen a couple in .222 and .222 rimed. The Frank De Haas (?) book on single shot actions addresses the question of cartridges that the action is safe with in his opinion. It has been so long since I have read the book that I won't "recommend" anything I haven't actually seen. One of the son-in-laws has a cadet action in .218 Bee his dad built years ago and I have loaded for that for them and have shot it. I have two .22 rimfires and one original .310.

I have that book. Given to me by a dear deceased friend. Read up on the Cadet, and this looks like its going to be a "Bee".

 

[DickE]

see if you can find some one willing to trade a centerfire martini for a rimfire one & save the hassle of rebuilding the block and finding the appropriate firing pin.

Disassembled breach block, expecting an off-set firing pin, but was centered in the firing pin shaft. Looks like a original .310 part. Does that help me?

 

[hpshooter]

Disassembled breach block, expecting an off-set firing pin, but was centered in the firing pin shaft. Looks like a original .310 part. Does that help me?

I have read that the position of the centralized firing pin was set by setting the breach block elevation when in battery for either center fire or rim fire cartridge.

Let's try this another way. Breach block in battery for rim fire, tip of firing pin could be at 6 or 12 o'clock. For center fire it would be centered on the chamber. Can't remember if the linkage determines the breach block position or if the block bottoms out on the receiver.

 

[jasophil1]

Hey 218 mashburn or improved or k hornet or plain hornet.the other is to big would leave side walls way to thin an to much pressure the 218 improved or mashburn or 22k hornet is the best way to go or 20 or 17 in the improved case.

 

[jasophil1]

Hey you can get center fire blocks from sarco inc .

 

[chuckshooter]

these are a few of my martini's. I am headed out for the day, when I get back this evening, I would be happy to share what I have learned about barreling martini cadet's
Jim

 

[Ggmac]

New project- 22LR conversion to centerfire. I am thinking of a 22 Nosler. Welcome comments and insight.
Looking to rebarrel.

Way too much for even a centerfire martini . Limit it to 45-48 k . 303 specs too be safe . Not much of a gas venting system on them .
go with a mauser . You could sell the 22 lr martini easy .
Gary

 

[chuckshooter]

here's what I have learned about barreling a martini cadet:
firing pin hole should be bushed, or I prefer tig welded and drilled out smaller. firing pin size about .061, other wise you will get primmer flow into the bolt firing pin hole and it it very difficult to open the bolt. if you have a rim fire, and want to change it to center fire, there are center fire strikers for sale at gun parts corp. cheep. you should have a spare anyway as they do break. trust me on that one. for my caliber and cartridge choice I stayed with .20 cal. as in 20 ackley hornet, 20 killer bee and .20 rimmed vartarg, the barrel shank is only 3/4" and any cartridge that is larger in diameter is risky. also if you are like me and you want to have a scope on it. you need to drill and tap the barrel for scope mounts, larger caliber choice leave less room for the scope mount screws. there is a nice write up on the technical aspects of barreling by a guy named spearchucker on practical machinist. definitely worth the read. if you can't find it I have a copy here somewhere. as far as pressure. I was getting 4000 fps out of my rimmed vartargs, (32gr vamx) but have since backed off to 3800fps but not because the action can't handle it, more like the brass and extraction. Martini's can be very finicky when it comes to extraction, chamber dimensions and prober clearances must be correct, this is not the gun for a tight match chamber. also, all of my actions are drilled out for a cleaning rod hole. makes cleaning tolerable. (well not really, who likes cleaning a gun without a bore guide) anyway I currently have seven in my heard and they are my favorite varmint rifles for squirrels and prairie dogs. . work the handle with the right hand and load with the left. . I hope this helps someone that has a Martini, and I don't mean a martini that has an olive in it either.

 

[DickE]

Put everything back together, still has a very accurate .22 lr. Lack of available parts is one thing. This is a Parker Hale reline job. Keep as is.
My hats off to everyone, especially Chuckshooter for his insight and phone conversation.

Best Regards, DickE