.310 Cadet Load

[tcattermole]

The 310 Cadet's rim is very thin, so an unmodified 32-20 or 32 SWL shouldn't chamber. If the action will close on one, the rifle is probably out of headspace.
The 32 SWL bullets are undersize for the bore, but if the rifling is crisp there may (just) be enough engagement to stabilise the bullet. However, there will be a lot of gas blowing past that undersized bullet, so you should expect lots of leading from gas cutting.
TonyC

[TheDoubleD]

The 310 Cadet's rim is very thin, so an unmodified 32-20 or 32 SWL shouldn't chamber. If the action will close on one, the rifle is probably out of headspace.

TonyC

Actually only partially true. If it closes on a 32/20 cas it probably is out of head space for a standard .310 rim. But it might not be out of head space for .310 Cadet cartridge made a 32/20 case.

You will have to measure the gap to find out.

[Pete D.]

I do know that the little Martini that I put together chambers the brass from Grafs, headstamped 32-20. I haven't measured the rim thickness but I suspect that no one sat at a lathe and thinned every rim - not for the price that they ask.
I would like to acquire some proper .310 brass, though - just to have it. I wonder if brass is available from Kynoch. Just a few years ago, I was able to buy 577-450 brass from them; I shall have to check about the .310; I have an inquiry sent.
Pete

[TheDoubleD]

Buffalo Arms has both type of brass thinned rim 32-20 and Bertram .310.

[Pete D.]

Douglas: Pete from NY here. I'm assuming that the Bertram brass is good quality or you wouldn't refer me to it. IIRC, there were some issues with their 577-450 brass some years ago; consequently, I have stayed away from their offerings. I haven't heard back from Kynoch, though, so the Bertram looks attractive.
I suppose it has to be a step up from altered 32-20 cases.
Pete

[TheDoubleD]

I haven't seen any problems lately with Bertram Brass. For a short while Knynoch had Bertram make 577/450 for them.

The only brass from Bertrams I would shy away from is in some of the really obscure calibers that aren't seen much. I have some .375 Flanged Magnum that is pretty bad, it came in one of their old white pasted label box.

[zombie hunter]

The load I developed was 5.5gr of Accurate No.5 with the RCBS 120gr bullet.

I found with H4227 was getting alot of unburnt powder. So I modifed a Lee 32/20 factory crimp die

[TheDoubleD]

I've got a question, there was a dude that told me he fires 32 S&W Long from his cadet, has anyone fired these.

He said the wadcutters are no good but the round nose rounds get good accuracy. There also a lot of people here down under that fire 32-20 rounds out of their cadets but some say there are headspace issues if you can fire 32-20 rounds, that I'm uncertain of.

Here's some pictures.

Cheers

Jorge[/QUOTE]

Yes the 32 S&W case will fit in the chamber because the case is smaller and shorter. Kind of like shooting 38 SPL in 357 Magnum chamber.

Yes there is a headspace issue if you can chamber and shoot 32-20 in a .310 chamber. The headspace issue is with the thinner .310 rimmed case not the thicker rimmed .32-20 case..

To check head space insert a case and close breech, Then try to insert a .006" feeler gauge between breech face and case head. If the gauge goes in there is excessive headspace. If it doesn't go it's okay. This valid for rimmed cases in the martini chamber.

[Ray P]

TheDoubleD:

Thanks for the feeler guage info! Just checked my cadet franken-tini with new Bertram brass. Looks good :-) One step closer to getting it built & ready to shoot.

[graybeard]

Hi all,
I know this thread has been off line for a while now but I wish to let yuo know about my success with the BSA 310 cadet.
Being in northwest western Australia I have problems getting hold of imported powders so I have built a load using the ADI 100 pistol powder.
Bertram 310 brass trimmed to 1.075" o/a length
LEE mould heeled projectile 125gn 0.316" diam or Hawkesbury River 125 gn projectiles
Any small rifle primer available
Ap 100 powder, 6gn
Chrony says I am getting 1150 - 1210 fps 10ft from the muzzel
I also tested some vintage Kynoch ammo and got 1180 - 1230 fps
Also tested Super brand ammo and got consistant 1200 fps

Hope you all get your 310's running as sweetly as mine.