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Martini-Henry Rifles

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  • lokote
    Member
    • Jun 2009
    • 253

    Martini-Henry Rifles

    I just got myself a hell of a deal, 2 Martini Henry Rifles for 200 bucks from a friend, one is a short lever from nepal and the other is a british marked long lever. they are both dirty as can be but he assured me that the actions were complete. i know he bought the nepalease rifle from atlanta cutlery and i think he got the long lever from a gun show.... ill post some pics when i clean them up, anyways i wanted to get some info on reloading for these rifles because i plan to shoot the one that looks to be in the best condition, i heard that you could form the brass from another catridge but i havnt found much more info on it so i would apreciate all the loading data that i can get
  • #2
    bigstick61
    Veteran Member
    • May 2008
    • 3193

    I think the brass you could utilize was that of the .577 Snider cartridge. My understanding is that the .577-450 cartridge the Martini-Henry utilizes is in essence a necked down .577 Snider cartridge.

    Comment

    • #3
      lokote
      Member
      • Jun 2009
      • 253

      oh, damn i was hoping i could form it from a less expensive cartrige, the snider brass and the m.h. brass prices are about the same... oh well i guess ill be spending the same amount that i paid for the guns in reloading material for 40 rounds, lets just pray that the brass lasts me a while and doesnt crack after the first shot

      Comment

      • #4
        The Custard Pirate
        Member
        • Jan 2009
        • 237

        .577-.450 cases can be made from 24 Ga. brass shotgun shells. But why bother, brass, altho expensive, isn't hard to come by. Same for loaded ammo. Do an internet search for sources.

        Comment

        • #5
          smle-man
          I need a LIFE!!
          • Jan 2007
          • 10544

          The cases can be made from Brazilian 24 ga brass shotgun shells but you need a forming die to do it; otherwise the cases usually collapse instead of necking down. The forming die is pretty expensive. I lucked out and a very nice person on another forum made up 50 cases from 24 ga brass for me. I only neck size them and I'm on about the 3rd or 4th go around with the brass. I also have some Bertram cases that I've never bothered to use since the reworked 24 ga cases are working so well.

          Comment

          • #6
            Peter in CA
            In Memoriam
            • Dec 2008
            • 241

            Re: Martini-Henry Rifles

            lokote,
            I use factory formed brass for my loads, and as long as you keep the cases annealed properly, they will last a long time. The load info for the 577-450 cartridge is not really just a simple primer/powder/bullet combination. PM me if you want my recipe.

            Gunboards.com has a Martini section worth the look.

            Buffalo Arms in Idaho has brass, bullets and other things that you might need.

            You might want to slug the bore of the nepal gun and the british Martini, so you know what size bullets you will need.

            Oh yeah, the dies for the Martini cartridge will require a larger reloading press than "normal". I use an RCBS Rockchucker.

            Peter in CA

            Comment

            • #7
              rojocorsa
              Calguns Addict
              • Oct 2008
              • 9139

              I wasn't aware that people still regularly shot these. I can't help but to be reminded of that film Zulu...
              sigpic
              7-6-2 FTMFW!

              "...and an old German guy said there was a bit of an unsaid joke about the Nazi salute; apparently when they clicked their heels and raised their arm up in the air in a Nazi salute, they were saying, "we're in this much s___."

              Comment

              • #8
                Johhny
                Member
                • Apr 2007
                • 204



                Yours is the rifle that shall pierce the heavens!
                Do the impossible, see the invisible,
                ROW ROW FIGHT THE POWER!
                Touch the untouchable, break the unbreakable,
                ROW ROW FIGHT THE POWER!
                "A gunman from the past used to say this: 'There's a gun in everyone's heart.'" - Isaac Dian

                Comment

                • #9
                  Palimino Stripe
                  Senior Member
                  • May 2009
                  • 658

                  Wow! That's one heck of a deal! The price you paid is signifiantly less than what one is worth. Way to go!

                  Oh- and this thread is useless without pics!

                  -Palimino
                  http://www.freedomainradio.com/

                  Comment

                  • #10
                    dangerranger
                    Senior Member
                    • Jun 2010
                    • 578

                    TenX makes the brass, loaded rounds were about $20 ea. brass was $5 ea. let us know how it goes. Im intrested in these also. DR

                    Comment

                    • #11
                      tteng
                      Senior Member
                      • Sep 2006
                      • 1911

                      Youtubing 'martini henry' will return plenty of how-to on mold making, bullet casting, brass forming, and others. Very informative if you're willing to spend the time.

                      Comment

                      • #12
                        smle-man
                        I need a LIFE!!
                        • Jan 2007
                        • 10544

                        Originally posted by rojocorsa
                        I wasn't aware that people still regularly shot these. I can't help but to be reminded of that film Zulu...
                        I shoot my Martini Henry 577/450 and my Martini Enfield .303 regularly. Here's a 50 yd target with both:



                        And a 100 yd target:



                        Don't tell Barbara Boxer and Diane Fienstein how much fun these are or they'll outlaw them too!

                        Comment

                        • #13
                          jmabbott888
                          Junior Member
                          • Mar 2006
                          • 72

                          I form mine from 577 basic BELL brass. 1 of my Martini's split the necks when fired but the other is nice to the brass. Not sure where you are but if you are near Bakersfield I'd let you form your brass. Only reason I won't do it is if I crush a case or otherwise trash it during the forming process I don't wanna have to replace the brass lol.

                          Comment

                          • #14
                            smle-man
                            I need a LIFE!!
                            • Jan 2007
                            • 10544

                            24 ga brass works real well for forming 577/450 and is fairly cheap. Cabelas sells it.

                            Comment

                            • #15
                              wellfedirishman
                              Senior Member
                              • Jun 2007
                              • 2272

                              I got my brass from Jamison brass. Very good quality and lasts well. It was about $3.50 a case.

                              Here's some Bertram brass on Gunbroker:


                              I get good results with a .459" diameter soft lead 500 grain bullet and black powder charge.

                              Lee sells a set of dies for this caliber. You need a particular Lee press for them or a RCBS Rockchucker:


                              Here it is at the range:


                              And bullets loaded:
                              Last edited by wellfedirishman; 06-12-2010, 7:23 PM.

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