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Martini action strength.

Posted: Wed Jul 20, 2011 6:57 pm
by Sandgroper
I've been watching Zulu again :good: and been looking at 303 wildcats (again!) and some of the sites recommend Martini Henry as a good choice for a 303 wildcat.

I know the MH was converted to 303 and can handle the pressure of the 303, but how strong is the MH action? I've heard that's been tested up to 60000PSI! :shock:

Does anybody have any references to the action strength of the MH? Just curious, that's all. :D

Thanks in advance.

Re: Martini action strength.

Posted: Wed Jul 20, 2011 7:05 pm
by Dave 101
Heres some info which may be of interest .
http://www.absoluteastronomy.com/topics/Martini-Henry
Dave

Re: Martini action strength.

Posted: Wed Jul 20, 2011 7:28 pm
by Ovenpaa
Good link Dave, very interesting indeed.

Re: Martini action strength.

Posted: Wed Jul 20, 2011 8:08 pm
by Sandgroper
Cheers Dave.

Re: Martini action strength.

Posted: Fri Jul 22, 2011 12:42 pm
by Rearlugs
A few years ago I saw a harpoon gun for sale: the harpoon was about a yard long and must have weighed about 15-20 pounds. The harpoon gun action appeared to be a re-used MkIV M-H action :shock: . No idea what cartridge is used to shift a 15 lb harpoon, or what the chamber pressure must have been like - but obviously the M-H action must have been up to the job....

Re: Martini action strength.

Posted: Fri Jul 22, 2011 1:20 pm
by Sandgroper
Rearlugs wrote:A few years ago I saw a harpoon gun for sale: the harpoon was about a yard long and must have weighed about 15-20 pounds. The harpoon gun action appeared to be a re-used MkIV M-H action :shock: . No idea what cartridge is used to shift a 15 lb harpoon, or what the chamber pressure must have been like - but obviously the M-H action must have been up to the job....
I've seen those for sale as well - made by WW Greener. As you say if it can something like that, then nothing I'm going to come up with should trouble it. :lol:

Re: Martini action strength.

Posted: Fri Jul 22, 2011 10:28 pm
by Dave 101
Heres some more info which may be of use to you . http://www.rifleman.org.uk/Martini-Henry_action.htm

Dave

Re: Martini action strength.

Posted: Sun Jul 24, 2011 2:37 pm
by Scotsgun
I remember viewing a yank gunsmith's webpage who specialised in taking existing martini action rifles and modifying them for some outrageous calibres. I remebered it because he has BSA Int Mk3 modified for a huge hunting calibre.

Re: Martini action strength.

Posted: Sun Jul 24, 2011 3:23 pm
by Sandgroper
Scotsgun wrote:I remember viewing a yank gunsmith's webpage who specialised in taking existing martini action rifles and modifying them for some outrageous calibres. I remebered it because he has BSA Int Mk3 modified for a huge hunting calibre.
:clap:

460 S&W might be fun! :o

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.460_S%26W_Magnum

Re: Martini action strength.

Posted: Sun Jul 24, 2011 6:00 pm
by Sim G
A bloke in our club insisted on having an old Martini rebarrelled in .50 Action Express because he had a load of ammo, cases and bullets left over from the handgun ban. It took him about 10 years to finally convince a gunsmith to do it for him. Couldn't get the cases to extract except by using a rod down the muzzle end. .50 AE is a rebated rim........ but he was a bit of a cock....