The Mk I Martini-Henry: Ammunition PART THREE - Cleaning, Annealing and Packaging

[@adriano1ish]

Out of all the firearm channels, yours has to be by far my favorite. Thank you so much for taking so much time and effort to make such a well informed and interesting basis for your channel!

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

+adriano sulivanto Thank you very much for your kind compliment. I am glad that you enjoy the channel and it's subject matter. It's really not difficult to put time into something that interests me, though!... :-) Cheers.

[@matthewspeller]

Your attention to detail is incredibly satisfying.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

+Matthew Speller Glad you find it so... and thank you for the compliment!

[@foowashere]

Spot on, exactly that! The attention and dedication is very pleasing to see. And it all goes for the video production as well.

[@steveww1507]

I have been a reenactor here in the U.S. for 30 yrs and i respect the research and effort you put in to your impressions . Great job .

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

+Steve WW1 Thanks very much, Steve........ But what about my shooting?...... :-) .....

[@steveww1507]

not bad , not bad at all LOL great vids rely enjoy them . are you from Canada ?

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Steve WW1 Yup.

[@sithompson74]

excellent. such passion is rare and wonderful to see

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

+Simon Thompson Thank you Simon. Very kind of you.

[@billygowhoop]

As someone who loves old school wax paper packaging, I really appreciate the effort you put into making those packs of bullets. That is really awesome.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks!

[@rre9121]

The packaging really speaks to me, it's the right thing to do. I think I'm going to indulge in a snider and get a reloading setup for it.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Fun rifle!

[@calanon534]

Your content is always amazing, uplifting, and intricately educational. I've been watching for a while, now, and I still can't wait for each new chapter, each new little thing you add to each video.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Glad you enjoyed it! Very kind. Cheers.

[@Siencyns1989]

This video series on Martini ammo is one of the most interesting things I've found in quite some time. Hats off to you & your channel.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Thank you very much! Glad you found it to your liking.

[@elektro3000]

Excellent work! Just the kind of at-home tinkering I love.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

+elektro3000 Thanks! Me too.

[@lisar3006]

I find when annealing brass if you hold it while heat with just your fingers when the brass is almost to hot to hold drop it in the water and it is perfect. I get long brass life doing this. I being a fan of the British service rifles and a long time collector I think you videos are the best I ever watched thank you for the effort. .

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

I have used that method too. Glad you enjoy the channel! Cheers.

[@maxfloppa]

The bore brush attached to the drill is probably the most creative gun cleaning technique I've ever seen!

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Since been replaced by a wet tumbling system... never looking back... :-)

[@vonsprague7913]

Superb to see the huge amount of hard work involved in the making of your historical films. My grandson watching with me has just announced that he's fallen in love with the Martini-Henry.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Good boy!.... er,.. man,...... Umm,... sorry I don't know how old he is.... or you for that matter... :-)

[@vonsprague7913]

@@britishmuzzleloaders lmao 52 and 10. Thanks

[@jameslucas820]

I have immensely enjoyed your videos! The info you have talked about is applicable to any reloading activity and your format is very easy to follow. Please keep on making content of this caliber!

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Thanks James!

[@alexdevonport7917]

thanks for these informative and very well made videos.You inspired me to get a M-H and start reloading for it. I've been re-loading for smokeless 303 for about 20 years and 577-450 is a little more involved.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

A bit, but well within the realm of an experienced reloader such as yourself. Just more steps...

[@sandmanhh67]

Thanks for the fascinating insight into how ammo is made mate. Its a real treat to see someone who loves their hobby so much go into the detail you do, and an education for a lover of 19C militaria like me. Reading a book is one thing, seeing it done another. Looking forward to many more of your vids.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

+sandmanhh67 Glad you found it useful! Thanks.

[@nescionomen6741]

sir, thank you for sharing tour knowledge and craftmanship thus making the international shooting community a great service. best regards from Sweden.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Thank you for your very kind words! You are most welcome.

[@bmp130]

Great video as per usual! I finally got my martini shooting and even did up some packaging as well. Thanks for all the great info!

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

+bmp130 NIce! Did you use a label? Good to hear that another Martini is belching smoke again!

[@bmp130]

+britishmuzzleloaders yes, I made a label. Similar to yours but I copied the fonts on Microsoft word and used paint to add in smudging. Photocopied it a few times then scanned in it. Its up on the martini henry society facebook page.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

bmp130 Ah yes. I saw your work there! Very good job on the fonts.

[@TexasLonghornRanch]

I would like to get a copy of the label file.

[@Alome9]

I personally don't reload yet but I do plan on it in the future, your series of videos shows basics of cartridge reloading and has been a great experience for me. Greetings from Michigan State University!

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

+Alome9 Hi there. Very happy that you have found these useful. Martini Henry reloading can be a bit daunting to some. It really isn't when you get down to it... just more steps. Best of luck in your ammo making efforts!

[@ozyrob1266]

You should produce a reloading manual Authored with your KZbin name for these historic guns with a flash drive of the videos. You would sell plenty and keep our history alive. Great work.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

I have barely enough time to make these videos, unfortunately. As cool as a book would be....

[@ozyrob1266]

Oh well, not to worry, If you ever change your mind I will be on the que. In the meanwhile, I'll keep watching, learning and enjoying. Great stuff and congrats on a really good channel.

[@zacharyroach1990]

All the old gun channels and I do not know how i missed yours.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Glad you stopped by!

[@gorddoc]

just watched all 3 of the martini henry ammo reloading videos i enjoyed them immensely and gave a thumbs up and subscribed

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

+gordon holbrook Glad they appealed to you. Thanks for the subby!

[@kaidog9528]

glad to see you wore your best sandals for tumbling brass in the winter

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

+Kai Dog The stove was going in the basement... Very warm.... I did put clear coat on my toenails though... The things one does for show business.

[@jksmuga1]

Outstanding video as usual. I was looking for a simple way to hold the martini brass while annealing. Thank you.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

+Jack Smack It is kind of bush-league, but works very well.

[@ShawarmaFarmer]

The great thing about Martini Henry's for me, is here in Australia in some states it's considered an antique firearm thereby the lack of need for registration since the ammunition for the rifle is no longer in full scale production. Great series of videos mate

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

+Oliver Karuna Thanks Oliver. Glad that there are some "slightly less harassed" Martini shooters down under! :-)...

[@zironemegeaz]

just wanna say your channel is great!

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Glad you are enjoying it! Thanks.

[@Aetherling]

Great video. A friend gave me a tip. I now use a scoop of Vanish powder soap in water in a big empty tub of the kind sold with protein powder (used by gym goers). I drop the Martini (and Snider) cases in after shooting and they come out clean and shiny after soaking for an hour or so. Thanks.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

+Aetherling I'll give it a try.... Thanks!

[@duncanandrews1940]

I realey enjoyed that Rob , well presented mate. Now i have got my head round the Snider ammo I shall be starting on my X-Ring M-H cases. Onward and upward!

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

+Duncan Andrews Thanks Duncan. I think that we are on parallel courses with our Sniders!...... Looking forward to hearing of your efforts. Cheers.

[@MizterMoonshine]

great video... packaging the cartridges like how it was actually done is very cool

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Thanks! The real ones were in brown paper, of course. Mine are "good enough" range-grade wrappers... Cheers.

[@michaelgilbreath7696]

Glad to see you're using real black powder to load your black powder cartridges . I get annoyed when I see so many folks using smokeless powder in black powder cartridges. And many times they wind up blowing up their rifles using those smokeless powders because of too high pressure loads, or too big an air space between powder and bullet, or wads and such. I have a rule of thumb that works well for me. If the cartridge was originally loaded with black powder, I use black powder. This means I use black powder in my 45-70, 44-40, 45 Colt. Then there's NO chance of too high pressure. Better safe than sorry. And it's the historically correct way to do it. Trouble is, a lot of shooters don't do the research.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

I'd use nothing but..... completely agree with your sentiments. Although there were cordite cartridges made for the MH in the very late stages of it's service life (in the 1890s).

[@sergeantbigmac]

Excellent and packed full of valuable info. Thank you.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

+sergeantbigmac Glad you got something out of it! Cheers.

[@KB9813]

A mesh laundry bag, dish soap, a bathtub, and about 10 minutes to 20 minutes of manual pulling the bag side to side holding each end tumbling the brass. Works pretty good for my 303.

[@gregking9935]

Outstanding video once again Rob

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

+Greg King Cheers, Greg. Got your email! Sounds like you had a great time.

[@stevendee2831]

glad to see you're a 303 enthusiast too . cheers mate . I'm subscribed now.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Thanks for the subby! Cheers.

[@totalwar-galizien8855]

amazing work! 0_0 omg its all you hands & mind its real history reenactment AMAZING!

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Thanks!

[@survivalcomms]

Another incredible tutorial. Thanks for sharing !

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Cheers!

[@mattarmstrong9205]

Another great video! I'm excited for the next one.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

+Matt Armstrong Glad you liked it! Cheers.

[@ElectricExperimentsRobert33]

Very nice :)

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

+Roobert33 Glad you enjoyed it!

[@louielamlouie]

Besides the time and effort spent on reloading the ammo, there should be a lot of time spent to edit this video. I really appreciate your work. I've been your subscriber for over a year. I watch every of your video. Thank you!!

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

+Louie Lam Thanks Louie!

[@lisar3006]

Back in the early 70's when I got my first Martini there was no place to get ammo or brass. My cousin who had a machine shop cast the chamber to get measurement then he turned a steel casing then drilled and cut a grove for the lip of a sub caliber rimed pistol case. He made it so I could fire 45LC in it. The steel case looked like a steel fired casing and to use it you put in a 45LC round in the s steel sleeve loaded it like any other round and fired it. Once it was fired and extracted you had to knock out the 45LC casing to load the next shot. I had three of these steel cases and think I still have one in some of my reloading junk. Not the best way to shoot a martini but at the time it was the only way I could fire it.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Very interesting! Things sure have one a long way. People like Martyn from X-RIng services have done stellar work in making shooting these rifles something that is within reach of everybody now...

[@MrBioniclefan1]

britishmuzzleloaders yeah I and wonder hard it is to make the brass foil cases

[@Mitcchhh]

Another great video, thank you for sharing your knowledge with us.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

+Mitcchhh No problem. Knowledge is for sharing... Even if it is acquired by bumbling around in the dark (like me)... :-)

[@tackytrooper]

Dang that is some beautiful ammo.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

It's a fun afternoon's work for sure!

[@xeverettx2564]

Very cool video!! I’ve never thought of doing the historical packaging. It’s brilliant. We have period shoots here at the gun range, trap range, and 3D archery corse on my property. It’s a private club so the groups are relatively small so I think it would be doable to make one package of ammo to give out at each shoot for each member done up with the vintage packaging. Wonderful job as per usual @britishmuzzleloaders

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

That will be a nice touch for sure! Cheers.

[@Sir_Godz]

I always laugh to myself thinking about this guys wife watching the evolution of his hobby..

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Oh,.. she laughs all the time.... and head shakes, and eye rolls, and sighs.....

[@liamclarke1196]

Nice my favorite single shot rifle

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

+liam clarke Mine too!

[@TheDavephillips]

Thanks for this. I've never thought to anneal necks before but now see the sense in this. For my Mk IV I use a .464 bullet patched to .472 which is apparently right for the rifle and works very well for me. Obviously you must print your labels; can you post the lettering fonts and sizes for us? It would be nice to have packages as accurate as possible in appearance, yours are so neat and authentic looking. I can't thank you enough for your channel, you're not only making life much easier but WAY more fun.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

+David Phillips HI Dave. I just took this file... 1767c7c3-a-62cb3a1a-s-sites.googlegroups.com/site/britmilammo/-450-inch-martini-henry/-45-inch-martini-henry-ball/450%20MH%20Ball%20label.jpg?attachauth=ANoY7cr9EckJ2ip5F1zRYEehLqAcEmdUyBltEOV9ZUff0-j3FyuLmLI-TsF-X3EMJt7lT-0iQrTfP9Pq__hOrJpAhKv5t_aCZQRJh54xyBIaVo3CV6JE1UTfQfkrJIHwg4_egyz7TUUPj5L8FQsthFp-7kh2CnjXZOOkPS-8OBYmPE0EwkCyXVBr5HC6AEfelYvS1A2IpKqAUBN4nCWL608uQDCQYro84tKTpZvreHoEJ4RuHpGaJV0RCUvezdZS8s_II5C9bCZPXmYv8HH2Ps7GausNf7i-jMlEH5NJRWokyeCj01irPaI%3D&attredirects=0 and imported it into a word file. You can fit two on a letter sized piece of paper. If I was going for a true authentic look, I'd print them on brown paper... but seeing as how that is a bit more effort and the paper gets ripped off and thrown on the ground when I shoot (to be picked up at the end of the day, of course) there really is no point in making them "super-deluxe"... So glad you are enjoying the channel. Cheers.

[@versal339]

Thank you sir, I was annealing some 50.90 brass, I don't normally anneal my 45.70 brass but at $1.54 US per case I want to make it last as long as possible. Thanks again.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

+Hugh Batesel Cheers!

[@453421abcdefg12345]

Another excellent video. The wet S/S tumbler is the way to go, all that green dust in your lungs is never a good thing, I just de cap, tip them in the drum, and leave them for a hour, when they come out they are like new, inside the primer pockets as well, a huge asset is you can see if there are any faults in the case, the inside is just as clean.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

+Englishman French Thank you, sir. I have toyed with the idea... Do you have to use one of the rotating-style tumblers or are there vibrating ones that are OK for wet tumbling?

[@453421abcdefg12345]

+britishmuzzleloaders : The vibratory cleaners do not work very well with SS pins, I think the weight of the SS pins plus our large cases tends to "kill off" the vibrations, I have found the best performance and value is the Rebel 17, this has ball bearing rollers and works very well, you do also get away from the green dust that you must have now, once you try the wet SS you will wonder how you coped before, especially with BP cases.

[@HypocriticYT]

watching your videos a few years ago I have now MH dies, bullet mould, paper cutting stencil and 24 ga brass etc. Quite a beast to shoot. You do not want the shoulder annealed as some tend to buckle while being reloaded.

[@littlehouseguy7782]

I never knew that you had to re-anneal the brass after the first time! Oops! Well, no ruptured cases yet. I also only slightly resize the neck. I actually load the slugs "loose" and then "pinch" the loaded cartridges enough in the resizer die so that they chamber.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

+little house guy You don't have anneal that regularly, I just meant to impress that some people do every time...... Neck sizing definitely helps in not disturbing too much brass... Some of my brass has been fired ten times without annealing and with no visible signs of anything yet...

[@PalookaD]

Great upload as ever!

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

+PalookaD Cheers!

[@HypocriticYT]

I find you can clean a bore and still not get good accuracy from these and other antique arms. i have successfully used Muratic acid to clean bores. Not for the feint of heart, it does remove bluing instantly and hard on your lungs if not well ventilated. Soak a loose fitting rag in the acid and slowly run down the bore and back. Let stand a couple minutes then bronze brush the bore. Wash liberally with water to neutralize the acid it will later rust the metal. You will notice if you cleaned the bore previously and got a clean rag you would think the bore was pristine. Using the acid you will quickly see the bore was still contaminated in the grooves. Helps to tape up any outer metal with bluing on it. it's the cheapest cleaner for bores but must be used carefully.

[@runedek]

Your videos are always entertaining! As a noob to this hobby, I am wondering; were there no handguns or pistols used in the same setting?

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

+runedek In this era, handguns were the preserve of officers (often privately purchased) and some Cavalry. Infantrymen did not carry them. Cheers.

[@LionSilverVideos]

Great Video!

[@louiscifer5438]

très beau travail.

[@polarjet1833]

So were just not gonna talk about how smoothly he caught the casing after it came out of the rifle

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Haha! Practice makes perfect.

[@haboob308]

I have been thinking about the paper. Since you are really passionate about your historical shooting. Have you thought about getting butcher's paper or other brown paper that will be thick enough to allow you to use it in your printer? I know it is a bit much, however it might dial your experience up to a whole new level.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

You actually illustrate a difference between historical shooting and re-enacting... In the former, it's the function that is important not the outward authenticity as it might be in the latter... My wrappers get ripped off and torn... Having wrappers that are the utmost in authenticity will not "dial my experience up" at all..... :-) Shooting well and in an historical way certainly does though... (something that wrappers have nothing to do with)... I feel that it is a bit of a waste time and effort to make something that is disposable... I have wonderful printed wrappers from John Rountree that I use for instances where it might be nice to use something more historical.... Of course HS exists on a sliding scale and there is nothing wrong with going all out, just as there is nothing wrong with doing the bare minimum as long as the function is maintained...

[@murphysmuskets]

I cheat with tape too :) I was annealing every other firing or so, I guess I can cut back on that. Do you use magtech brass? Great vid as always!

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

+murpheysmuskets Thanks Murph. Yup, Magtech from X-Ring Services... Martyn (the fellow who owns it) is an asset to the hobby for sure! Do you FLS or just neck size?

[@Carbide195]

Your avi smells familiar. Ever hear of Old Empire Motorcycles?

[@versal339]

Thanks for another great video. Did you mention where you found labels for your packets? Thanks again for keep this sort of information available and not letting it die out. "all Sir Garnet" as usual.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

+Hugh Batesel Hi Hugh. For the label, google was my friend... "Martini Henry ammunition packet" if I recall... Glad you enjoyed it. Cheers.

[@TheDavephillips]

+britishmuzzleloaders Thanks again, you've just answered my question above. Cheers!

[@chriscandy3021]

Another great video well shot and good commentary. If I may ask where did you find your brass?

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

+Chris Candy Martyn at X-Ring Services.. His card (and contact info) is at the end of the clip.... Martini and Snider brass as well as a number of bullet moulds for these rifles. Cheers.

[@notarokescientist3003]

just for historic accuracy how about using a pump drill to power the cleaning brush?

[@eiclan]

May I offer a method for not over heating the neck during the annealing process. Step one; fully black the neck with a candle.step two;apply the heat ,the black will burn away at a temp that will anneal without overheating. This I have used on very thin wall aluminium tube so I suspect there will be no problem with brass. cheers Ross

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

+eiclan Great idea!... I wish there was a way to update a clip with good additions like this, without remaking the whole thing... That is really a good trick. Thanks.

[@AldanFerrox]

Very informative video. By the way: What kind of packaging was used for .303 British in World War 1 and 2? Cardboard boxes and wax paper, or also Paper wrappers?

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

+AldanFerrox Hi there. Mk VII 303 was packaged in bandoliers of 50 rounds (5 pouches with two , 5 round chargers in each) for front line service. These were then put in crates of 600 rounds. Cheers.

[@michaelgilbreath7696]

I drop my cases in a jug of vinegar. I learned of this from a re-print of a 19th century Sharps manual. The vinegar really boils out the black powder fouling. Then I rinse in hot water. The cases come out very clean, but I still tumble them in a vibratory tumbler. Vinegar really dissolves black powder fouling.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

I use a wet tumbler now... Incredible results. Never going back to any other method.

[@RipperYou]

Was the paper ammo packs issued greased in order to protect against humidity etc. etc. or non greased? Btw I have thoroughly enjoyed your great series on the Martini-Henry rifle and this 3 part reloading series.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

HI there. No, the paper wasn't greased. The round itself was the primary barrier to moisture. Enfield packets of the 1850s and 60s had a rubbery layer inside the outer wrapper to protect the paper cartridges inside.

[@RipperYou]

Thank you, I'd allways thought that due to the long transport distances for the ammunition shipped from Britain to Africa/Middle East and Asia that some kind of protection against salt water or moist air would have been used, thank you for clearing that up.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

The packets by the time of the Martini, were placed in wooden boxes with a tin liner which was opened with a big key, much like a sardine tin.

[@badpossum440]

I learnt to shoot with a Martini-Enfield .303, so long ago.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Thanks for sharing!

[@aleramone23]

One question: how many times can you reuse a case?

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Upwards of ten so far, no problems.

[@zoesdada8923]

Man those rounds are beautiful. It's almost a shame to shoot them. I really prefer black powder, single shot obsoletes like sharps to modern shooters but there are some things you need a good modern black rifle for.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Oh no, they beg to be shot... :-)

[@Carbide195]

I'm not sure that it's technically annealing if it involves a quench. I'd recommend dropping them into sand and letting them cool to ambient temperature if you're looking to anneal.

[@Carbide195]

Sorry, nevermind, it seems brass and copper can be annealed with a quench in water.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Like you said,....

[@Carbide195]

Aye, hadn't got that far into the vid yet, basically only covered steel, aluminium, ceramics and composites in my materials class, no brass. Figured I'd leave the comment up since I checked the comment section before I posted mine, and it could save somebody else the embarrassment to see where I went wrong.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Not a problem!

[@bradleyfranklin9597]

Hey Rob Thanks for the great videos I'm just entering the Martini Henry world and you are helping me out tremendously ! Here is a dumb question for you. What is that 78 bannered "glengary" hat? I simply need one! I'm sure my terminology is all wrong! I must have one when I test my first Mark IV. Thanks again Brad

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

+bradley franklin Hello Brad. Glad that the clips are helping you along! The cap is called a Kilmarnock bonnet. It was used as the undress head-dress until the late 1860s in various forms. Not particularly Martini-era, but hey, it's not supposed to be... It's much more "Enfield".... :-) If you really want a general purpose Martini hat, either a Foreign Service Helmet, or a plain blue (more of a black, nowadays) glengarry with the tails cut down a bit.... If you really want a Kilmarnock, then go to Sally Pointer in Wales... She makes them (and mine) by hand and they are very good. www.sallypointer.com. Cheers.

[@АбалкинЛеон]

Good work, Thank you!

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

+Абалкин Леон THank you!

[@rockyrowlands3652]

As a matter of interest, how many rounds would a soldier issued with the martini Henry rifle normally carry in his pouch?

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

The service load was 70 rounds.

[@francis400]

Correct me if I'm wrong but is there a hague convention on ammunition that may be used in warfare, meaning a ban on dum dums etc.? Would snider or martini ammunition violate that convention?

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

I suppose that technically, the Snider bullet would be categorized as "expanding" due to its hollow nose.... the Martini Bullet, not so much..

[@techmarine83]

I guess one could always give the paper a spritz or two of rem oil or some other lube.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

The thing is that you don't want the paper to get soaked through. They used beeswax.

[@cameronboyce4695]

Thank you for your videos. I have always wanted a Martini-Henry, but have been put off by the cost and availability of ammo. After watching these videos i am interested in finally getting a Martini-Henry and possibly reloading for it. Have you considered using parchment paper or a thin brown cardboard like paper for your cartridge boxes instead of printing the label on computer paper, and commissioning someone to make you a black ink stamp with the cartridge box label on it?

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

I have some. They were presented by John Rountree who prints them. I don't use them for anything other than special occasions. Labels are really immaterial in all but a tiny amount of shooting applications so it doesn't make sense to go to great lengths to make something that is going to get all ripped up.

[@cameronboyce4695]

That's very understandable. I really didn't take into consideration that you most likely shoot your Martini far more often than i shoot some of my firearms. It may be something that is trivial, but i like the aesthetics of well packaged firearms and ammunition. Hence most of my pistols have wooden cases and i tend to save the packaging of any old surplus ammo.

[@christopherpeary7290]

A quick question for you if you please. Do you use soft lead or hard cast when paper patching

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

The lead is the same 20-1 that I use for GG bullets as shown in Part One of the series. Cheers.

[@gringostarr69]

Did the first ammo come out from the factory looking as crumbled as it is seen here @ 5.26? Many google searches give the same look. Wrinkled old cartridges..

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Generally yes. It's brass foil.

[@gringostarr69]

@@britishmuzzleloaders Aah, ok so that is the reason. Thank you sir! Learned a lot from watching all the 3 episodes from hand loading even though (surprise) the first one wasn't here. i think my co-worker has that same martini-henry riffle. He competes with mussle loeaders all over the europe at least and has won many championships. His 1958 remington (uberti) competing pistol has the lightest trigger that I have ever felt.. Thinking of starting with the black powder guns aswell. Day at the range with him was just mega fun vs my typical shooting skeet or ducks.. Or .22's

[@versal339]

Rob, quick question, do you Anneal before or after you size the case??

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

+Hugh Batesel Hugh, quick answer, I anneal (when I do) after cleaning but before anything else.

[@doctorbill6301]

If you use the SAME RIFLE, you do NOT need to resize - as he says here ! You can use a coat hanger wire to hold the brass while annealing...do it in the dark with an LED lantern 6 ft away. A DULL RED is as hot as you need to go....in the dark ! Dump the hot Brass into a pot of water.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Cheers.

[@banhammer7243]

Can the Martini-Henry rifle handle smokeless powder (and the casings as well). I've read (and seen in documentories) the smokeless powder is far more powerful compared to black powder.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

It can.... With safe, properly worked up loads. Cordite, the Service's first (and only until WWII) smokeless powder was used in very late Martini ammunition... well after the rifle had been relegated to second line or reserve use.

[@banhammer7243]

Do you ever shoot rounds using smokeless? How does the rifle perform?

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Banhammer72 No... BP only for me. The "only" way to shoot your Martini... :-)

[@nicktombs1876]

I know this is your hobby but that does seem like an awful lot of work just to prepare the casings and make some bullets, never mind wrapping them up like a Christmas present, have you thought about a faster method like a catapult?

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

What do you think?

[@keithmoore7390]

been a while, do you know if the Brits used the martini's round in their gattling's or the standard 45-70?

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

+keith moore That is a confusing subject unto itself... They used many different rounds in their Gatlings... None were 45-70... Here is a good synopsis... books.google.ca/books?id=ZKw9CQAAQBAJ&pg=PA51&lpg=PA51&dq=british+gatling+gun+ammunition&source=bl&ots=qR8l5gunA3&sig=HncQNspFJdeirubdYOQ6tReJex4&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiMs-6zheHKAhVU3GMKHZY3CDoQ6AEIPzAJ#v=onepage&q=british%20gatling%20gun%20ammunition&f=false

[@keithmoore7390]

britishmuzzleloaders their supply must have been a nightmare then?

[@BeerDad69]

Dude, you are amazing. I came to your channel because I recently bought a martini Henry and wanted to know more about it and the ammunition. And now I find myself watching every vid in your catalogue because they're awesome. Thanks, dude

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

+Jeffrey Carpenter You are welcome! Glad you found something of interest here. I hope that you decide to get your MH up and running. You wont regret it... Cheers.

[@alainwelonek2036]

How do you trim your casing to length

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

My brass is from X Ring and comes trimmed.

[@Mildcat743]

Was the original ammunition packet wax coated paper or not?

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

The outer was paper and there was an inner of "rubberized paper".

[@Mildcat743]

Thanks for the reply. How trying is the reloading process for an amateur reloader? Im looking into purchasing a MkIV from IMA and if its in shooting shape, I'd like to make my own ammo.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Oops,... Dreadfully sorry about this but I thought we were conversing about another video... Martini Ammo was just in paper... the Enfield ammo had the rubberized inner. As for reloading,... have a look at Parts One and Two... I can't elaborate any more than I did there. It's complex but not complicated...

[@grenmoyo3968]

you go hunting with this old warhorse?

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

+Gren Moyo I have not gone hunting with this... I'd be interested to see how the bullet expands in some sort of medium... It's 1-20 alloy, so not soft lead...

[@aidanrocks13able]

britishmuzzleloaders I would say try using some wet clay for an expansion medium

[@jkhan337]

you didn't sing Men of Harlech before firing....... How are the bloody Zulus supposed to know you mean business without a few rounds of Men of Harlech?

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

No, I most certainly did not.