Martni Enfield question

[newcastle]

Ok I'll try this here as I had no reply on the Martini Herny forum. Maybe they're snobby about having that tiny wee .303 British caliber come along and ruin their rifles

Anyhooo. I just got one of these. in lovely exterior condition, made in 1884 and altered to be a Martini Enfiled and shoot .303 brit in 1898. Barrel is fairly rough, and the muzzle swallows a .303 round rght up to the cartridge. So I 'm assuming it will not be a great shooter. I'll be taking it to the range this weekend so first question is, what sort of accuracy would I be hoping for if the barrel WAS in good condition? Second question: assuming it's not up to that or up to much at all, what's to be done? Would counterboring be a feasible alternative to get back to decent(ish) rifling? I doubt there are replacement ME barrels out there, but could an SMLE or NO.4 barrel be used?

Information

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[krinko]

Attachment 17772
Attachment 17773

My Martini Enfield has a bright bore with no crown problems and with these round nose 180grain handloads, it gets the accuracy you see here.

The 450 Martini guys do sort of scorn the .303s.
-----krinko

[newcastle]

Thanks Krinko. Is that at 100 yards? Also is it from bench or off hand?

[bouletbill]

I'm thinking you could use oversize cast lead bullets with a lower powder charge (check the bore size) , should be fun upto 200yds , or getting the barrel bored out to .410" smooth-bore and load rifled slug .
Of course , if it's safe to shoot , then try it as is and enjoy just for the bang factor .

[newcastle]

I just love the look of it. Very Zulu (fornt rank fire, middle rank FIRE, rear rank FIRE etc) and will absolutely enjoy it I figure the worst that can happen is that it puts bullets through the paper sideways using regular 303 caliber. I've been planning to start reloading 303 for ages, maybe I might have to slug the bore and go up to or beyond the .311 or 312 caliber bullets for this one when I get started. Range report to follow this weekend, if I can wait that long.

[RobD]

Newcastle, if the barrel is shot out, I happen to know of an RFD in the UK who has a stock of good / very good Martini Enfield barrels, and he will re-barrel, headspace and proof for quite a reasonable sum. PM me if yours will not shoot straight.

[krinko]

Is that at 100 yards? Also is it from bench or off hand?

100 yards off sandbags.
I recently did some offhand at the 200 yard gong with this rifle and got good results. Once one learns the sights, they are a pleasure to shoot. No "grease cookies", "card wads" or fiber stuffed cases...no drop tubes, no blow tubes...bah.
-----krinko

[Surpmil]

I'd have it sleeved. If the cosmetic condition is as nice as you say it would be a pity to rebarrel it.

Accuracy was found to excellent in both the M-E and L-M carbines acc. to Reynolds, should be the same in the rifles.

[newcastle]

Are you suggesting sleeving to a smaller caliber - ie .22LR or can you sleeve it back to .303Brit?

[Surpmil]

Are you suggesting sleeving to a smaller caliber - ie .22LR or can you sleeve it back to .303Brit?

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