martini cadet rifle question

bigbadbotts · December 27, 2004, 01:03 AM

I have just acquired a martini cadet rifle, and I have big plans for it, I want to know if it is possible to load rimless cartridges in it, if so what is the largest pistol calibre that would be possible to load in it, and not have it blow up in my face or cause problems.

mete · December 27, 2004, 11:22 AM

It's fairly strong.Many have been converted to 22Hornet and 357mag.

Jim Watson · December 27, 2004, 12:38 PM

Back in the days when Martini Cadets were common and cheap, they were rebarrelled clear up to .44 Magnum. Some of the .310 barrels were rechambered to .32 Winchester Special.

Frank deHaas says it is very difficult to get one to handle rimless cartridges.
But I recall that Bob Snapp made a complete package extractor for rimless. If you had one of those you would be in good shape for .222 and maybe .223.
Some discussion of a Martini revival and contact info for Bob Snapp are at:
http://shootersforum.com/showthread.htm?p=56173

When you say "pistol" and "rimless" in the same sentence, do you mean something like 9mm or .45 ACP? I guess it would work if you had the Snapp extractor, but I can tell you from experience that a single shot .45 ACP rifle is not much punkin. I'd rather make it a .357 Magnum or Maximum, kind of a super rook rifle.

December 27, 2004, 01:03 AM	#1
bigbadbotts Member Join Date: October 24, 2004 Posts: 25	martini cadet rifle question I have just acquired a martini cadet rifle, and I have big plans for it, I want to know if it is possible to load rimless cartridges in it, if so what is the largest pistol calibre that would be possible to load in it, and not have it blow up in my face or cause problems.

December 27, 2004, 11:22 AM	#2
mete Senior Member Join Date: June 14, 2004 Location: NY State Posts: 2,596	It's fairly strong.Many have been converted to 22Hornet and 357mag.

December 27, 2004, 12:38 PM	#3
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 6,424	Back in the days when Martini Cadets were common and cheap, they were rebarrelled clear up to .44 Magnum. Some of the .310 barrels were rechambered to .32 Winchester Special. Frank deHaas says it is very difficult to get one to handle rimless cartridges. But I recall that Bob Snapp made a complete package extractor for rimless. If you had one of those you would be in good shape for .222 and maybe .223. Some discussion of a Martini revival and contact info for Bob Snapp are at: http://shootersforum.com/showthread.htm?p=56173 When you say "pistol" and "rimless" in the same sentence, do you mean something like 9mm or .45 ACP? I guess it would work if you had the Snapp extractor, but I can tell you from experience that a single shot .45 ACP rifle is not much punkin. I'd rather make it a .357 Magnum or Maximum, kind of a super rook rifle.