Martini caliber change.

[DJSwan]

Hi Every one I will be getting a 310 Cadet Martini action rifle soon. I am looking to use it as an action to build a Varmint/ target rifle with. I like 6.5 mm as a bullet size. What Rimmed cartridge would be suitable for this? Options I have looked at include. 32-40, 222, 5.6 x 50R Magnum, 6,5 x 57R & 30-30 all in sizes given or wildcat to 6.5 mm. At this stage I am leaning toward 30-30 possibly in Arkley Improved either in 30 cal or 6.5 mm.

 

[Keith Kilby]

have you actually ever seen a 310 Cadet in person????
The cartridges you list seem to be rather wishful in my opinion....the action itself is only about 3.5" in length with a 0.750" barrel tenon. Look at the 22 Hornet/K-Hornet, 25-20, 32-20, range of cartrigdes vs the ones in your list. I seriously think you need to do more research. Go to the ASSRA forum (AMerican SIngle Shot Rifle Association) and ask your question. I think you would be faced with not only a safety issue but I'm not sure you could get cartridges of that length into the chamber.

 

[hpshooter]

FWIW, If it is a complete rifle leave it intact and shoot it or sell/ trade it for just an action to build on. A number of variations exist on these and some have reasonable collector value. If you get it and must convert it be sure of what you have before you alter it. It is possible to make a rimless extractor for these actions.

The advice given by the first poster is sound.

These are fun little guns to shoot and making up .310 ammo is not that difficult. One .310 and two small action .22RF's get routine work outs from us at my place. An in law has a .218 Bee conversion that is a great 150 yard ground hog getter.

Frank DeHass book on single shot actions has some useful info on suitable conversions for this action.

 

[wapiti25]

My friend has converted his to the 218 Bee. He did not need to change the extractor so it is a good that none of the original metal was modified.

 

[Gun Smith]

I had a customer bring me a Cadet that was rechambered, but not marked as to what caliber. Did a chamber cast and it turned out to be .32 Win. Special. The .32 would barely fit and eject, and kicked like a mule in that light little gun, as I discovered when test firing factory ammo in it. Not pleasant to shoot at all!

 

[DJSwan]

Thank you for the input. Here in Australia 222 is a common change but is getting more difficult to get currently. 38 Special is also done here a bit. I will also check carefully that it is not of value as it is.

 

[Bindi2]

The rifle would want to be free. The cost of a new barrel plus gunsmith labour will push the price into the arena of a new rifle. For the easy life a 22k hornet would be my pick longer range than any pistol round. There is nothing wrong with handloading 310 with pistol projectiles or 125gn 311s with 2205 to the upper end as long as the barrel is ok.

 

[mshelton]

I've seen a few in 218 Bee, if you're set on a 6.5 I'm wondering how a necked up Bee or similar case would perform.

Probably something in Vol 1 of Ackleys books that fits the bill, finding brass and waiting on chamber and probably sizing reamers may not be fun though.

 

[Bindi2]

I've seen a few in 218 Bee, if you're set on a 6.5 I'm wondering how a necked up Bee or similar case would perform.

Probably something in Vol 1 of Ackleys books that fits the bill, finding brass and waiting on chamber and probably sizing reamers may not be fun though.

It gets back to finding Brass or dies to make the brass. Bertram will be a starting point, as an old gun smithing business will be as well.