SHOOTING a 120 Year Old Rifle That Has NO AMMO

[@HobbiesHobo]

In case anybody cares, you can make .577/450 ammo using 24 Ga. Brass shotgun shells which are available from some suppliers. The adapters are great fun! I have many from various sources including "Shooter's Box". Seasons greetings to You. Mike.

[@UnitedStatesOfGuns]

Thank you HH! I have tried the green Fiocchi shells ...modified with cast bullets. Worked well. Brass would be even better thanks for the reminder. All the best for Christmas and 2023!

[@juanmacias418]

magtec makes 24guage shells.... they're a pain to make BUT the shells last awhile. it's a good black powder round.

[@mungo7136]

@@UnitedStatesOfGuns I saw couple of videos about re-forming brass for this rifle. Maybe capandball or iraqveteran had one on his channel, but it could be for another round as well. Anyway there are some videos with very detailed step-by-step description of the process. I wonder if someone (i.e. some Italian manufacture) will make replica's of these rifles. They make some some strange revolvers than are known to some enthusiasts but not purely classic rifle?

[@hstwodrainage.1410]

@@mungo7136 British mussel loader, Canadian chap has videos on making ammo fot M-H.

[@TheDave570]

@@hstwodrainage.1410 It's not a "mussel loader"!!

[@freeholdtacticalmed]

I bought an Enfield rifle and had to learn to load the ammo. I bought the cartridge cases from Etsy, the bullet mold from Australia, I learned how involved loading this cartridge really is. The first time I fired that 145 year old rifle, it came back to life. It was SO completely worth it.

[@AreUmygrandson]

303? It’s pretty common

[@samsadowitz1724]

@Leper Feast he could be referring to the Snider-Enfield rifles, which are also in the .577 Snider cartridge.

[@AreUmygrandson]

@@samsadowitz1724 ok that’s what I originally thought. I was like i hope he knows s&w sell 303

[@timmytwodogs]

Years ago I managed to find some .577/450 ammo From Elwood Epps in Ontario, Canada. It was crazy expensive but, having brass to reload was worth it. I believe that Bertram in Australia may still have brass for sale. By the way, Merry Christmas everyone !

[@aynjeleyes]

Yep that they do

[@matthewcharles5867]

Yeah lot of Martini rifles still being used in Australia, Bertram usually has brass

[@velv33ta31]

Unique munitions, another Australian manufacturer, also does loaded .577/450 ammunition. Its definitely not cheap, but it works.

[@dlmsarge8329]

I've pulled off of Hwy 11 a number of times to check out Epps place! Top notch!!

[@GilbertdeClare0704]

@@aynjeleyes Also, Henry Krank in England stocks them

[@JoaquinFont]

Lovely rifle, congrats on the acquisition-and great tip on the chamber adapter, which I’d never heard of. Also, can’t get enough carbine content

[@Weaponsandstuff93]

Very nice, the nice thing with really old rifles like this and I have a Martini carbine is that in the UK they don't consider these firearms anymore, so you can own them without jumping through any legal hoops.

[@markmueller5508]

Mike, back in the 60s, Ithaca made a .22 martini as the model 49. Externally it looked like a Winchester lever action with a false tube magazine. It has an external hammer for cocking but the “innards” are martini, complete with the loading groove. It was a great youth carbine.

[@UnitedStatesOfGuns]

Hi Mark! Those are great! I have a small collection of them. I'll make a video. Thank for suggesting!

[@dale5495]

Have one in 22 mag

[@toddlucas6073]

The only one I have seen I'd the 22 magnum , but they are excellent

[@Kevin-qo6jw]

Ithaca made a amazing 12 gauge auto

[@stonebay2111]

They made one that was also a tube feed repeater in 22lr also. Pot metal recievers didnt hold up the best but the barrels were great and very accurate

[@marksmith9295]

Great demo and nice carbine! I have that same adapter for my Martini Henry (Enfield made with Canadian cartouches on the stock). Have not shot yet but hope it shoots as well as yours. My great grandfather lugged a Martini Henry around during his 12 years in Burma and India in the 1880s and 90s before emigrating to Canada from the UK. It was taller than him.

[@WadeWeigle]

That is a nice rifle. It’s great that you have the insert also so you can enjoy shooting it.

[@rubbabubba6489]

Beautiful rifle, appears to be in fine condition. I'm glad you found a way to enjoy shooting it

[@SafetyProMalta]

Kynoch, well done sir. A lot of history in that company.

[@emoryzakin2576]

My Lord that thing is absolutely gorgeous. Love the adapter idea too! My mind immediately went to hearing about people ordering mag tech 24 gauge brass shotgun shells to convert down to .577/450 but that adapter is much much easier. I'd still convert some though lol

[@dlmsarge8329]

What a nice carbine! It's great that the insert works so well, increased potential for shooting fun!

[@JMan-The_AntiCitizen-]

This guy is bringing long ammo back into the meta for sure. It's helpful to take the quartermaster perk if you're using this.

[@borisbuliak3626]

Wow that is pretty neat, it looks mighty pleasant to shoot as well. Sturdy little cannon 👍

[@billiemon]

I used to collect Martinis back in the 60s/70s and had both a 577 and 577/450 with long barrels but never shot them (had ammo but it was to rare to shot); I wish I had known about the insert then. I had a Martini Carbine like that pictured one but chambered in 303 British which was a pleasure to shoot and very accurate. I also had a Martini Cadet converted to 218 bee with a heavy barrel for varmints.

[@scottyevens3174]

Thanks for this!! Nice rifle find! Lee makes a complete set up to reload and brass is available 😉

[@paulharding1621]

Friends here in the UK reload and shoot .577/450 using cast lead bullets and black powder often with paper patched bullets. I believe that custom cartridge brass makers do produce the cases. The Martini Henry in .577/450 was used by British troops in many locations late 1800’s. Look for the film Zulu with Michael Cain. The US government used the British cartridge as a comparison when developing the .45/70.

[@pamtnman1515]

This 577/450 is a wonderful big game hunting cartridge, and making the paper patched rounds with modern reproduction brass is a lot of fun and very rewarding, when you "roll your own" and bring home the bacon

[@Swindle1984]

Actually, the US tests of .577-450 Martini-Henry happened after .45-70 was invented, and was done to compare the two. Incidentally, the .577-450 cartridge also has "foraging shells", basically shotgun shells loaded with buckshot or birdshot that soldiers could use in their rifles to hunt for wild game, as well as incendiary/explosive shells used as "balloon busters" in WW1, blank cartridges used to fire harpoons in whale guns or grenade launchers, etc. The Martini-Henry is not only one of the few firearms to see service on all seven continents at one point or another, the running joke is that if it walks, crawls, flies, or swims, it's probably been shot with a Martini at some point.

[@jrvgwagner]

@@Swindle1984 If I remember correctly a Martini Whale Gun was used in the movie JAWS.

[@Swindle1984]

@@jrvgwagner Correct. Ian from Forgotten Weapons even did a video on one, I believe. The Greener GP shotgun is also a Martini, but chambered for shotgun ammunition. There were even pistols built on the action.

[@andrewmoens8614]

Thanks for this beautiful carbine history. I really enjoy seeing and hearing the history. Fantastic.

[@OffTheGridAdventures]

Years ago, I had a friend machine me up a chamber insert for the 7.62x54R Mosin Nagant rifle. I had it chambered in 30 carbine with the intent of using a subsonic load. It did work but was very slow to reload and was inaccurate due to the difference in bore size. Nice rifle you have there and it shoots great too!

[@martinswiney2192]

You might look into some 32 pistol cartridges to correct the bullet diameter issue as they are the same .312” as 7.62x54R. 32 S&W Long out of a pistol is about 750 fps. I suspect the long barrel of a Mosin-Nagant would probably slow it down even more. 32 NAA is a necked down .380 case at 1000 fps with a 71 gr bullet. Dang it. Now you got me thinking about another project to tinker around with while I have tons of unfinished projects all over the house. Merry Christmas. I hope your happy. 😂. For easier case removal put a small o ring groove in the outside diameter of the insert to hold it in place in the chamber and maybe cut out a place for the extractor to catch the shell. If that does not work cut a place to pry the shell out of the insert. O ring will keep the insert from rotating so it lines up shot after shot with extractor. My mind is racing. Its 3:22 a.m. Christmas Eve and 10 freakin degrees in Alabama and I got frozen water pipes already but my mind is playing with guns. Maybe buy a spare bolt assembly from Gunparts and make a special extractor for whatever you end up using. If you read this far thanks for whatever. Happy New Year.

[@OffTheGridAdventures]

@@martinswiney2192 Hi Martin. That definitely would work as my nagant is way overbore and does not shoot well with 310 but 312 are fine. I like the idea of the o ring on the chamber insert. My friend made my nagant insert years ago out of a really hard steel and he said it was a quite a tricky job to get the taper identical to a fired nagant case. It is warm here 30 Celsius +, No freezing pipes. Merry Xmas Aussie Dave

[@martinswiney2192]

@@OffTheGridAdventures i used the same o ring technique to make a 38 Special chamber/barrel insert for a single shot breach load 12 gauge shotgun. It worked but was not practical really.

[@OffTheGridAdventures]

@@martinswiney2192 Yes. They go bang but not much good for practical hunting.

[@5roundsrapid263]

I made subsonic loads for a Mosin with a 220 grain cast bullet and 10-12 grains of a pistol powder like H110 or 1680.

[@krockpotbroccoli65]

I love how its a sporter but completely retains the classic Victorian militaristic aesthetic of its full length counterparts. Very cool rifle.

[@billiemon]

Was never a sporter but was issued to artillery units.

[@krockpotbroccoli65]

@@billiemon I figured it was a spotter due to the fancy wood, but military rifle manufacturers of the old days don't actually seem to have been too picky about stock blank quality. I have a Hungarian made Manlicher 1888/95 that's stocked in the most beautiful tiger stripe walnut that I've personally ever seen. The blank they made that stock from would probably sell for at least $1k these days

[@williamstuart9812]

Great rifle! I’ve used adapters a few times and they can be very useful especially with these oldies.

[@jasonbuck489]

I have an old Martini Henry Gahendra (And it has another half dozen names), Ha Ha!... But anyhow, it is chambered in 477/550... I'll occasionally use an adapter for 45 Colt... Not cheap either now a days, but a shade more economical than the old Kynoch Rounds if you can find them... I guess the best way would be to make the rounds, but thats a pain in the neck to do... I have a Carbine Version of a Peabody, Providence Tool Co, Martini Henry that's chambered in 45/70... Also fun to shoot!

[@jayclark2077]

@@jasonbuck489: what is the weight of the bullet and velocity of your 45/70 round? And is it a factory or your own load? The .45 Colt can be loaded up faster than most are taught to believe. My Baby Rolling Block puts out a 300 grain lead gas checked semi wad cutter at 1500 FPS with 1500l FPE. And I’m curious how that might compare with the old 45/70 black powder loads. Any idea yourself? JWCl

[@jasonbuck489]

@@jayclark2077 Well, the last loading I did I used 34 Grains of the Red IMR 3031, CCI Primer, and topped it off with a standard Hard Cast 405 Grain Semi Wadcutter... I also have a Springfield Trapdoor Carbine that absolutely favors that loading..... It's a good load for older rifles... I don't like to get too awfully carried away, ya know?.... I've seen guys shoot some pretty hot, ugly rounds out of original Winchester 1886's and the occasional Trapdoor.... They're crazy... That's just a good way to blow your fingers and face off... Maybe lose your life...

[@jasonbuck489]

@@jayclark2077 Oh, and I forgot to say... I don't have a Chronograph anymore... I used to, it's a long story... Haha... Anyhow, I would imagine they are probably cruising along at around 1,200-1,300 fps.... Somewhere in that neighborhood... If I recall correctly, a Black Powder Load of 70 Grains will get ya what, like maybe 1,000-1,200 fps .... So, you're in the same ball park.... I hope that helps....

[@gordongrice9856]

Wow, thanks Mike, great old rifle. I've never heard of the conversion to 45 before. I worked at a small archery/ gunshop about 20 years ago and the owner bought out a fairly large collection. One of the guns was a Snyder Enfied Conversion, along with some ammo. Apparently the forend tip was buffalo horn. It was direct conversion from muzzleloader to cartridge. Great channel.

[@thereindeertherabbitthebat592]

Oh wow. That is awesome 👍 I have a butt load of sub cal shotgun adapters that I've collected from several various manufacturers over the years, mainly for 12ga. I absolutely love getting out my break barrels, (esp my grandfather's old single shots), taking my time & firing things like 45Colt, 357/38, 9mm, 380, 22s, 410's, ect... It's just a pleasant experience. I bet that one is a real joy to shoot. I've seen some interesting ones over the years but never one quite like that. Thanks for sharing it.

[@davidharris9077]

You always come across as a humble nice fellow. Have a Merry Christmas.

[@stephensmith4480]

What a Wonderful Firearm, a true Classic indeed. Best wishes for Christmas Mike from Liverpool UK.

[@kafferhond435]

These rifles were very popular in Southern Africa. The Martini action is strong, with a fast lock time. The 577/450 is ballistically similar, but slightly superior to the 45/70. Both shoot .45 bullets, both had 70gr FFG black powder propelling them, but the Martini Henry had a heavier bullet. 450gr vs 405gr. They were used a lot for buffalo and even elephant hunting by the Boer hunters.

[@MDR-hn2yz]

Interesting. I was going to ask what a .577/450 would be used for.

[@kafferhond435]

@@MDR-hn2yz Its "designed purpose" was obviously to shoot enemies of the British Empire🤣 There was one battle between the Brits and Zulus where the Martini Henry rifles became so hot, it would explode cartridges that were not fired immediately after loading. During the Second Anglo-Boer war, the English were using the Lee-Metford/Enfield. 303, and the Boer forces (a civilian militia😉) used Mauser 7x57, and some Martini Henrys as well. And a variety of captured and sporting rifles. The .577/450 was obviously used a lot for hunting. Before internet (😊) people used what they had, or what worked. The "fancy" express rifles were so far out of budget and unknown, that very few pioneers used them.

[@medbill]

Since watching your channel I've learned a lot and my piggybank has lost some weight. I'm a lifelong collector and shooter, I enjoy your channel a lot thank you.

[@juanmacias418]

i found one a few yrs ago, it came with a sub-caliber training insert.... it s bore is excellent and shoots MOA at 100yrds.... it's one of my favorite firearms.

[@GEV646]

I own and shoot a Mk IV Martini Henry in .577-450 and a Snider Mk II** in the parent .577 cartridge that the former was developed from, and like others here resize Magtech brass to feed both rifles. I haven't used an adapter to shoot .45 Colt out of my Martini but I find that it really rewards shooting an oversized bullet as the bore tapers significantly down its length and really only reaches its nominal diameter in the last few inches before the muzzle. With that said, they are lovely rifles to shoot (and .577 Snider out of a full length infantry rifle is a very mild cartridge). Fun fact: when the Martini Henry was in development, the original version of the .45 cartridge was straight walled and very long... and when it was tested in a variety of potential service rifles, a couple of them blew up.

[@MJA5]

the insert is a great thing, what a nice carbine

[@bunkstagner298]

Now that is really slick. What fun shooting that beautiful Martini carbine. Merry Christmas from Texas

[@pauledwards8576]

Thanks Mike for sharing this video and info! It's been a couple of years since I commented but this helps with a question I had quite some time ago, regarding brass. I enjoy collecting unusual or rare cartridges and guns, and try to track down the brass or ammo, but typically end up forming the brass from other cartridge brass when possible. This provides yet another option. I always enjoy your videos.

[@UnitedStatesOfGuns]

Thank you Paul - I'm still hanging on. I wish you only the best for 2023 and Christmas!

[@lbauer51]

Excellent presentation. That very model of rifle was a feature in the movie Zulu about the battle of Rorke's Drift in 1879. It is naturally a black powder cartridge gun and 120 or more years old, but even so with that adapter it ought to also handle the .454 Casull or the .460 S&W which are the same caliber just with longer cases. Both are much more powerful than the generally lightly loaded .45 Colt but still pistol rounds.

[@UnitedStatesOfGuns]

Great thoughts Ibauer51. The lead bullets of the 45 Colt are the ticket for engaging the rifling - but the saucier rounds with lead bullets should be even better. My best to you.

[@MaximRecoil]

"Both are much more powerful than the generally lightly loaded .45 Colt but still pistol rounds." They are pistol cartridges but they are extremely high pressure: 65,000 PSI, which is higher pressure than nearly all rifle cartridges. For example, .30-06 Springfield is 60,000 PSI, and .300 Winchester Magnum is 64,000 PSI. Firing such high-pressure cartridges in a black powder-era rifle is asking for trouble. Just because the adapter gives it extra support in the chamber doesn't mean the action itself can handle it. The SAAMI pressure limit for .45 Colt is 14,000 PSI, which it can easily handle. It could probably handle "+P" .45 Colt loads too. There's no SAAMI specification for those, but they are generally around 23,000 PSI, and it could probably handle those too. The heaviest .45 Colt loads are about 30,000 PSI and are used in modern lever-action rifles, large-frame Ruger and other strong .45 Colt revolvers, T/C Contenders/Encores, etc. Buffalo Bore's "Heavy .45 Colt" loads are like that, and can push a 325-grain bullet to 1,325 FPS from a ~6" barrel. From a carbine barrel it would probably be around 1,700 FPS, which is 2,085 ft-lbs of muzzle energy, which is a little more than its original .577-450 cartridge has (480-grain bullet at 1,350 FPS = 1,940 ft-lbs of muzzle energy).

[@kendrickwilliams3696]

Nice gun, I think he was enjoying himself

[@rickbattle5706]

Ingenious insert. I like that! Merry Christmas to you and yours!

[@petrotmyrcz308]

You never cease to amaze me with the firearms and calibers you find. This one is a real beauty as well. You've got a really nice place to shoot, and some impressive mountains in the background. I know you're thanking the stars above and/or counting your blessings. Keep these informative videos coming. Take care.

[@obbyjep7597]

Nice old rifle. That's beautiful country where you're shooting, looks like some areas I go in British Colombia

[@davidkohler7454]

I love the Martini action. And this chamber insert to 45 colt is a cool way to go. Thanks.

[@garyK.45ACP]

Interesting approach, and good way to keep it shooting. I love shooting older rifles and have several I make cases for. Some are easy to make, some not so easy. There are also various sources of obsolete brass. Here in the USA there are various sources for formed .577-.450 cases. Though they tend to be available in fits and starts and run about $4-$5 each. But even 20 cartridge cases would last a long time with black powder loads. One of those suppliers makes cases from 24 gauge brass shotshells...not exactly easy to find themselves. Thank you for another interesting video.

[@rupertmcnaughtdavis3649]

Just what I need for my Martini instead of having to reload!

[@patshes1951]

Just had to subscribe after seeing this. Love the Martini Henry rifle. Was also chambered in .303 British.

[@3ducs]

Very nice carbine! That sort of adapter would be good for a lot of obsolete rounds, the .43 Spanish comes to mind. So many Rolling Blocks chambered in it but ammo is almost nonexistent.

[@robertrobert7924]

I shoot my .439 Spanish Argentine RRB with reloaded cartidges from available repro brass, cast bullets from a Lee mold, and Lee reloading Dies. The action will handle BP or correct smokeless low pressure loads.

[@3ducs]

@@robertrobert7924 Rolling block actions are very strong, some of the strongest out there. I do find it odd though that it is so difficult to find commercial ammo for the caliber.

[@robertrobert7924]

@@3ducs The demand for obsolete ammo is so minimal that only a few specialty companies may still load for it and the cost is so prohibative that no one I know would even buy it. Would you pay $120 for 20 rounds of .43 Spanish?

[@3ducs]

@@robertrobert7924 You are right about that!

[@dylancutter]

USOG reminds me of Mr Rogers but for the gun community. Just a nice guy who really enjoys his old rifles what a wonderful presentation on the martini Henry keep up the good work .

[@keithrimmer3]

I had a Jeffery 16 gage double hammer with 16 on the right and 44-40 on the left beautifully made guns

[@TheGearhead222]

Fascinating adapter-Gotta love the Martini action! I shoot .32 S&W Long in my 7.62 x 38R Nagant revolvers:)-John in Texas

[@UnitedStatesOfGuns]

That's perfect!

[@philippefrater2000]

Very nice! Thanks for sharing! 🖖🏻🇫🇷😎🇫🇷😎🇫🇷🖖🏻

[@a320trevor]

Thanks for sharing and demonstrating your treasured firearm. As a cadet we had access to a .22 BSA martini action. It was my favourite and with a sling accurate on the indoor range.

[@linkbond08]

Those inserts are really really nifty, I got one for my 30-06 so I can shoot 32 ACP subsonic rounds for squirrel hunting, it gives so much more flexibility to my rifle.

[@frankwebster8365]

WoW, what a Beauty. I guess Henry rifling is Ballard. That insert stuff is cool, Take Care and Stay Safe.

[@52fordf1]

I just want you sir to know, this exact video made me start my hunt for the same MH as yours. I’ve finally found it. Mine is a cut down to carbine size with long barrel sight. Absolutely gorgeous even if it is modified. Only change I would make is adding the checkered heel like yours has. Thank you sir.

[@MrCrafter80]

I am thanking you for your help with my .351 Winchester, Seems sad that it failed in so many aspects, But I will still use as an addition to my collection if not for anything but casual shooting. Thank you for help.

[@22rimfireultra67]

Very interesting rifle and insert! Great video. Thanks!

[@sammylacks4937]

This is the only video I've seen from you in a while. It's good to see and learn from you. A cavernous chamber. LOL. I like that description. What a neat piece of history. Not surprising it's British made. Thanks for showcasing that piece. I believe we share the same love all firearms but especially those not seen everyday and made by true craftsmen with love and pride. British gun makers never cease to wow me with their as perfect as possible fit and stunning wood grain. I had to add this, looking at the thumbnail pic , that's no less a Rembrandt or Picasso masterpiece. Bravo!

[@Verthias]

Such a handsome rifle.

[@ColonelRimfire]

I love Martini's. Such a good action, also over here in the UK you can still get .577 Bertram brass from Henry Krank and easily pick up a Martini BSA .22lr for £200 or less! Sadly Chamber adaptors for rifles are illegal in the UK with the exception of shotgun sub caliber inserts. Years ago a fellow here in Blighty used to convert old Martini's to .32 long for indoor & Gallery use I've always wanted one, Sadly i think he passed away many moons ago.

[@toddlucas6073]

Excellent video sir, I love that we still have brothers and uncles in the great country of Canada !

[@Marcywm42]

That is so cool. It is the experience that counts!

[@martyn6792]

That is a lovely carbine, in the 1980's I had a Greener GP 12 bore shotgun, very similar though the forend was shorter. There was a knack to opening the breach to properly eject spent cartridge

[@keithvernonlewis9403]

Thank you for bringing that old gun back, so many of those old firearms are wonderful firearms, from an era when companies gave a damn about their quality of their workmanship and the quality of their ammo and their quality of customer service..... Something our company's nowadays could learn the lessons from, but I doubt they ever will... Anyway have a great New Year, enjoy shooting your Martin rifle..... I think it's a wonderful thing and I would love to have an opportunity to shoot it, if I ever got out your way which will never happen. But hey I can wish in one hand and spit in the other and still enjoy your videos.... THANK YOU!!

[@UnitedStatesOfGuns]

Thank you for being here Keith and taking the time to comment. All the best for 2023!

[@bigred7347]

Bravo...Huge thumbs up.....Merry Christmas

[@johannesvanhoek9080]

Another cool video, after watching this video the first time months ago, I ordered one of these inserts, thank you for the suggestion, I now have one and enjoy, shooting my martini henry with a much more available load! PS. I do make my own 577-450 ammo from mag tech 24 gauge brass, but this is a fun alternative, once again, thank you for bringing it to light.

[@UnitedStatesOfGuns]

You're most welcome. I'm glad it works for you. I shoot mine regularly now - thanks to the insert.

[@gaildimick1831]

You can’t beat the Martini action. Have a couple of these rifles and wouldn’t part with them. Use a Unertle scope on them.

[@Absaalookemensch]

I have a beat-up Martini rifle that was not worth restoring, so I changed it to .357 magnum. It's fun to shoot.

[@joshuagibson2520]

Thank you for sharing your wares with us. I like seeing what my brothers to the north are interested in.

[@joshuagibson2520]

And that in effect we are 2 different gun markets with some things available to you that we can't get / never imported and vice versa.

[@tbjtbj4786]

I never got a mh but have wanted one since I first saw Zulu and later on with the Gost in the darkness movie. Which was my daughter favorite movie when she was little.

[@Bullets4Bucks]

Wow your channel took off! Been with you since the start

[@UnitedStatesOfGuns]

Thanks for being here : ) and all the best for 2023!

[@BIG-DIPPER-56]

Very Nice - Thanks ! ! ! 🙂😎👍

[@jensenwilliam5434]

Thank you for your videos!!

[@yvesf5355]

what a beautiful Gun ,every time I watch your Videos I learn something new ,thank you .Mike .

[@wgmbh1]

I really liked this video and I loved the rifle. Thank you

[@Roach1776]

the way this guy talks and how he talks about this rifle and its ammunition reminds me so much of my great uncle who passed away a couple years back, he was a staunch liberal never liked guns but he would explain the history of a place or item too me almost exactly the way this mad does and its comforting

[@curtwuollet2912]

It wouldn't be a big job to make an adapter on my lathe. I may take a look around for a rolling block or martini in a hard to get caliber.

[@Chrisinpa]

Neat story. I always used to say....."if old guns could talk". I have some guns that I've had for years and there are some good stories.

[@jeremysaunders9916]

Hi, that is a lovely rifle. I have one in the UK but bought as an antique collectable (obsolete ammunition) wish I was in your position to be able to shoot it. I just did some research on the .557 to colt45 inserts, there seems to be some debate on their use. Apparently, there was no standard for a .557 chamber, not until 1914 after they went out of production. This has led to inserts jamming in chambers but my guess is yours must be a good fit. Just wanted to add to the debate and really enjoyed your video, thank you.

[@UnitedStatesOfGuns]

Thanks Jeremy - so far so good. One could always wax the chamber as a release agent and epoxy skim coat the insert for a perfect fit. I've done that wort of things a few times - works perfectly. All the best.

[@BroncoBob3113]

That is a beauty

[@jimmyruger7529]

thank you for the great video. This dude forgot more than I will ever know about historic pieces.

[@karlnash7105]

I just saw a Martini Henry that had been rebarreled in.222 Rem. It had a Unertel (spelling?) 4x scope. The former owner used to participate in egg 🥚 shoots in Michigan. He was hitting a skittles candy at 300yds. It was very difficult to pass this completely reblued beauty.

[@UnitedStatesOfGuns]

Hi Karl...I couldn't have passed it 😂

[@matthewdeepblue]

really interesting rifle. thanks for sharing.

[@scottahermann]

I've read the martini barrel thread is the same for.303 Enfield. If you feel the need to re barrel the action, that's an option provided you can find a suitable donor

[@lessharratt8719]

Now that is interesting.

[@scottahermann]

@@lessharratt8719 If I recall, there's an old shotgun news article where someone did the conversion. I suspect there may be more utility today using .303 vs .577. Still, you're probably going to reload ammo regardless, but the components should be easier to find 👍

[@billiemon]

I had one but it was an original chambered 303. artillery issue carbine. still had a bayonet lug on it to. You can also find 12ga shot guns with Martini actions.

[@ThemantleofElijah]

Very cool what a neat tool to have

[@anthonyross9276]

i always enjoy your videos. Thank you. would love to pick your brain one day about my winchester model 70 barrel and rifle.

[@Swindle1984]

Assuming you can import ammo from the USA to Canada, Buffalo Arms makes a batch of both .577 Snyder and .577-450 Martini-Henry ammunition every year, as well as brass for reloading. You can produce both calibers by reforming 24-gauge brass shotgun shells. You're also going to experience reduced accuracy shooting .45 Colt through a cartridge adapter, as the original .577-450 ammo used a paper-patched bullet, and most rifles have a bore diameter between .460" and .469"; slug your barrel to find out which bullet fits your bore the best in order to gain the most accuracy. Also, be aware that even though most of that old Kynoch ammo is smokeless, not black powder, it does still use corrosive primers and you must clean the rifle the same as if you were shooting black powder. I've had issues with vintage Kynoch .577-450 having hangfires and inconsistent pressure because of the Cordite propellant not aging well, so be aware you will have inconsistent accuracy and potentially dangerous pressure spikes when shooting that ammo.

[@Swindle1984]

By the way, you can find these .45 Colt/.577-450 Martini-Henry adapters in a lot of places, including eBay. They're nifty when you don't care much about precision or range/power and just want to plink for the fun of it. I'm considering getting a Mahendra Martini and having it converted to .45-70, if I can ever find a decent gunsmith to do the work. Or perhaps finding an authentic Martini-Henry with a worn out barrel and converting it to .450 Nitro Express. The action can handle the pressure, though I'm leery of the metallurgy of the Mahendras and would stick to black powder load pressures in those guns.

[@richardbillhartz4537]

In 1964 I bought a little Martini .310 carbine, a beautiful little rifle. I couldn't find any .310 ammo, but .32 Special rifle cartridges worked ok.

[@Arkeo36]

Martini Henry is the best single shot rifle action for actual use. No doubt about it. I REALLY REALLY want a Damko reproduction chambered for 7.62x54r.

[@UnitedStatesOfGuns]

Hi Reid - I hope you and I both get one of those! All the best for 2023 to you!

[@Arkeo36]

@@UnitedStatesOfGuns thanks so much for all you do with your channel. I look forward to every new video! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Try to stay warm up there!

[@ragnarragnarsson3128]

Do they chamber one in that round? Last time I looked they did make one in 30-40 Krag.

[@Arkeo36]

@@ragnarragnarsson3128 the Damko customer service people are really great at responding to inquiries by email, and the word is that they'll make a rifle for any rimmed cartridge. 7.62x54r is on the drop down list.

[@ragnarragnarsson3128]

@@Arkeo36 you are correct! They must have added that recently. I don't remember seeing it there before.

[@recoilrob324]

I have Jamison brass cases for my MH's and it's a bit of a procedure to load them being the round originally had beeswax 'cookie' between stiff cards over the powder which scrapes the bore and lubes it with every shot. The bore on most .577-.450's is pretty big...like .465'ish so 45 Colt is going to be very undersized unless you can find some hollow base .454's which might expand enough to seal well. The factory lead bullets were paper patched which can be used to build up an undersized bullet but I cast some lubed round nose that come out of the mold right about .463 and do well enough to not bother with the paper when loaded over cards with a lube cookie underneath. VERY fun old guns for sure...and that carbine there is a real beauty!!

[@franksparks1126]

Thanks for sharing beautiful firearm.

[@grahambamford9073]

Wow that .577 is a monster of a round, when I see it in your hand. Talk about stopping power....

[@bb5242]

a big, slow chunk of lead and a small, fast chunk of lead have basically the same energy transfer

[@jakegarrett8109]

@@bb5242 But one is highly illegal unless you have NFA paperwork, at least in the US.

[@cheesepuff7814]

@@jakegarrett8109 what are talking about? You can walk into a sporting goods store and buy that stuff pr order it from an online vendor. As long as you're over 18 you can purchase ammo or the materials to build it.

[@jakegarrett8109]

@@cheesepuff7814 I can also tie my shoe laces in under 20 seconds (10 year federal prison sentence, just the shoelaces with 1 or 2 loops), or I could bend up a coat hanger in under 5 minutes. However, its all highly NFA regulated. Doesn't mean it stops anyone, just like Molotov's are illegal unless you pay tax stamps (even though the alcohol was already taxed by that agency, which has no elected representatives and they are taxing beverages like the British).

[@cheesepuff7814]

@@jakegarrett8109 ok but here in America that is the law. You have to be 18 to purchase. There isn't a law here in the states that says anyone under 18 can't manufacture their own munitions.

[@yeahbee8237]

Used to be pretty common to sell drillings and such with insert barrels going from 12g to whatever. Too costly to do it today I guess on any large scale

[@johntaylor2441]

That’s a beautiful rifle, and it sounds like it has a very unique report when fired. Subscribed!

[@possumpatrol45]

Splendid! Now if you'll excuse me, I've got savages to civilise and places to name after Queen Victoria!

[@ragnarragnarsson3128]

Huzzah!

[@UnitedStatesOfGuns]

Okay Tommy 😃

[@lessharratt8719]

As accurate as a smooth bore I guess. What a beautiful firearm.

[@juanmacias418]

the one i found shoots MOA at 100yrds....

[@luked2767]

Most people don't know that Kynoch and later millitary cartirdges had smokeless powder. I have one and it's a beautiful rifle to shoot just a pain to get ammo and yes I have used smokeless, very carefully from an old reloading book. I have a rough ghendra Henry and I got a gunsmith to not weld but kind of epoxy in something similar to that, he made a jector that would fit. I could take it out for the original at any time but I quite often shoot pretty hot loads of anything rimmed in 45 including .410, .454 and 1 brand of 45 70 brass and I have shot modern loadings out of it that are more stout that the origional chambering. I usualy use the longest brass I can find a it has less freebore, I reload with rifle powder to small use of the rifle barrel and I often cast and powder coat to .455 or even paper wrap. But standard .45 LC factory ammo is a little too short, just like the webly revolvers converted to .45acp with a moon clip. I found a martini endfeild at a show one day and the thought was badly erroded, the muzzle had some errosion but the rest of the barrel was in great shape so I think it was looked after but cordite. I got it for a crazy low price, I had a gunsmith rechamber it in 7.62x54r and he cut of some of the tip of the barrel and recrownwd it and it's crazy accurate, managed to get some aftermarket iron sights. The martini action is the best single action rifle. I have also done the same to a nice SMLE that was out of headspace and had a had it rechambered for 7.62x54R and it feeds from a mag just fine and asking as I use millitarybatiooer clips it works just fine. I had a bargain Finnish M39 mosin, the barrel was shot out, managed to get a virgin Soviet machine gun barrel and my gunsmith made it work so I have this bull barrel M39 and it's my most accurate 54r I love .303 but it's a pain to reload and brass does not last long. I have a chamber insert for type99 Arisaka as I can shoot 7.62x39 I had to fiddle with the mag a little bit it was then fine but it's fully reversible and it had no mum. When 7.62x25 tokorev was realy cheap I had a lever action rifle converted to it. It's my favorate lever action in my favorate pistol cartiedge. I wish they could make a lever action in 9mm but maybe it has to be rimmed or bottle necked. It's surprising what non perminantnmodifcations you can do to calibers that are crazy hard to get. Now I want an Arisaka in 6.5 grendel or creedmore, 6.5 Japanese is semi rimmed to could work hahaha. I have a rare Chinese C96 type pistol that's marked 7.62x25 I was told that a small Chinese arsenal made a small number so it could use Soviet ammo, had a detachable mag and no idea if it used parts from a rela C96 or a Spanish or other clone but it was beefed up quite abit. Single shot martini action rifles used to be very very popular at least in Europe with many .22 to fullbore target rifles made in them. They don't cost much to make and I would love a mini martini Henry in .22 to intermediate to fullbore calibers. When 54r was so cheap I used to shoot my rechambered Martin Henry like crazy. By far the best millitsryband civilian single shot rifle. People will say the rolling block but the is much faster to fire

[@blackpowderfirearmenthusia3194]

Beautiful rifle, great video thank you.

[@harryfaber]

For a lot of years, I lived close to the old Kynoch works, they had premises at Stanford le Hope and Pitsea, Essex, England.

[@kingofcapp]

Seems like a great way to save wear and tear on on the gun as well!

[@UnitedStatesOfGuns]

Good point! Such a fine solution; although some original ammo would be great - I'll find some.

[@danhayward9186]

In the RSA we turn " cases" from solid brass and load with black powder vel.bit low due to small case vol.

[@kirkboswell2575]

As Hobbies Hobo said, the 24 guage shotgun hulls can be used to make 577 Snider ammo. To make the 577/450 its just a simple process of running the brass 24 guage hulls through a 577/450 die (use a good lube on the case).

[@txrick4879]

Man that rifle is in great shape for its age .

[@ratroddiesels1981]

your rifle has beautiful lines .

[@rudragirik745]

Beautiful Old Girl! 🌹 I love single-shot breach-loading metallic-cartridge-firing rifles & carbines. And with such an awesome mod! I love your channel. You have a new subscriber 👍🥰🌹