AusVarmint

G'day All,
a friend of mine has inherited his Dad's Martini 310 Cadet and he is thinking of a rebarrel to a more suitable hunting calibre for small game. I've of the 22hornet and .222Rimmed but any other suggestions for a practical walkabout single shot for small game out to 150-180yds, good accuracy and easy to reload, most welcome. Prefer historically correct calibres with readily available brass and dies etc.
Also we need contact details for any reputable (good reps that is!) Martini gunsmiths in Victoria who can do a rebarrel and scope mount bases
Many thanks
Cheerio Ned

Their are quite a few options, one of the easiest is a 218 Bee, extractor I believe doesn't need changing even but finding brass isn't easy but I see it is still about. Decent fps over the hornet and not really that far behind the 222 rimmed like mine.

As I have 222 rimmed brass I would like to do a rimmed fireball either 221 or 17 In the future but not very historically correct. That being said you can have a rimless extractor installed and do a rimless cartridge too.

With the new 17 Hornet coming in this would be a cracker as well. Their are other bigger cals as well but haven' really looked at them heaps.

Ryan

Ned my LGS over here in WA has a martini 222rimmed med varmint barrel that was bought for someone who then changed thier mind. If your interested I can ask about it. Its a TSE barrel from what I know and I think its drilled and tapped for scope mounts. Blued as well.

I have one in .218 Mashburn Bee, just a bit of a better thing than the standard Bee and its simple to make brass for. Just fire standard brass in the Mashburn chamber and PRESTO you have Mashburn Brass. It'll fire a 55gn pill the same pace as the Standard will a 45gn one so there is a big improvement. Its also easy on brass. Bee brass isn't that hard to get just ring around or neck down 25-20 (or 32-20) it all works. Damn accurate rifle too.

From what I have read the Mashburn is very nice, any pics 303? What's it send the 55's at?

Ryan

No pics at work sorry I'll get some tonight (hopefully I'll have time). I have't chrony'ed the loads I have I'm more interested in accuracy. My load is a mildish one but groups under 1/2 MOA at 100m for 5 shots.

I have a 22 hornet and used a 218 mashburn bee. And it is an ultimate walk about varminter! Also have used a 25-35 (30 30 neck down to 25cal) and it kicks ass as well. The 218 MB is made by necking down 25-20 brass and fireforming in the rifle.

I continue to use the 22 hornet, as I like the 'quieter' report. I have a 221FB on a Brno Fox II for longer range work.

The good thing of the cadet actioned Hornet is the barrel profile on mine is the same as a standard cadet, making it a rather heavy profile, and takes ages to heat up. The short action also allows for a longer barrel, without making it ungainly, and weighing in at 5lb with a scope, it is no issue to lug around.

Chrispy

Always wanted a nice little 218 bee but the mashburn sounds alot nicer. 40gr sierra blitzking, a short 20" varmint barrel to swing inside the ute and it would be a cracker.

The other good thing of using the cadet action is that there is not need for the blunt/dumpy hornet style projectiles. My Hornet thrives on spire points / BT Vmax projectiles.

HMMMM 20 Killer Bee sounds like an interesting little cartridge

Also a 219 Donaldson Wasp is doable as well, although I have been told to find a BSA 12/15 action instead of the cadet. But they can be done.

Ryan

I have another cadet action at home, hmmm a .17 or a .20 now theres a decision. Couldn't find any pics of the Mashy last night, going hunting Saturday I''ll take some then, hopefully with some critters that have suffered a Bee Sting.

303 wrote:........hopefully with some critters that have suffered a Bee Sting.

I've had two cats under surveillance for the last few weeks or so, the very day I left the Bee out of the ute a shot presented itself

.218 Bee
.22 PowerPoint
.218 Mashburn Bee

Great little rifle this one and oh so accurate!

I just did a .22 k hornet i inherited a cadet with a .22 barrel and a set of k hornet dies havent got it up and running yet but will do shortly