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Enfield Martini 45-70

rdmosley251
I came across an Enfield Martini Action that was converted to 45-70. The dealer I bought from said he bought it from a guy that had it custom made in Colorado. It has a heavy 24 1/2" polished and blued barrel and redfield sights. Can the martini action take heavy 45-70 loads? I would also like to know if anyone can tell me who made it. I don't see an option to post photos, so I can send photos upon request.
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Comments

5 comments

Date Votes
  • Manyguns
    I think that conversion has been done many times and will be safe with the proper loads. Perhaps others will have another idea.
    Tom
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  • steve45
    Most reloading books break out reloading the 45-70 into three catagories. These three catagories depend on the strength of the rifle. Your Martini action (if in good shape) will handle any original 45-70 loading. You need to date the action. If your action was for an original black powder cartridge then original black powder strength (or smokeless equivilent) loads are what you should shoot. If your action is made of modern steels you might be able to load some of the hotter than original loads. In Ken Waters book "Pet Loads" he lists the Peabody Martini action as a Group 2 rifle capable of moderatly hotter loads. He lists the Navy Arms (modern) Martini as a group 3 very strong action.
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  • rdmosley251
    Thanks for the follow up guys. I certainly have no intentions of hot rodding it and just wanted to get a little more info on it before I pulled the trigger. The rifle has Nepalese Markings and was chambered for .303. Someone put alot of work into polishing and bluing to make it look nice, but still left the original markings on the receiver. It's a very classy piece and several guys were asking about it before I could leave the gun show yesterday.
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  • CapnMidnight
    My old neighbor has a Nepal marked Martini in 45-70, he shoots about the same load I shoot in my Marlin 1895 CB lever gun. He's had no issues. It, like yours is a very nice old gun. We did have to build a new extractor for it last year. I've tried to buy the gun from him several times, unsuccessfuly.
    W.D.
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  • Richardwv
    The only structual difference btwn a MH chambered for BP rounds and ME rifles chambered for the .303 was bushing the firing pin to a smaller diameter. Otherwise these are the same actions of the same vintage. Once bushed, the Brit Martini is capable of withstanding .303 pressures (49K psi or 45K CUP), which are above those of level 2 loadings for the 45-70, but below level 3. As such, a look at the block of the rifle will answer what it will safely withstand. If it has the older larger diameter firing pin, limit it to BP pressures. If it has been bushed or replaced with a purpose made .303 block, then level 2 loadings are appropriate.
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