Results 21 to 30 of 50
-
22-03-2016, 13:53 #21
- Join Date
- Oct 2012
- Location
- Struisbaai/Pretoria
- Age
- 61
- Posts
- 180
Re: Re-loading data for the Westley Richards Martini Henry .450/577
Please see the Article "The Martini-Henry Cartridge & its Rivals" by Steve Berkemeyer in the March 2014 addition of the manMagnum on page 60-64. From page 61 : 450 gr bullet, 45gr S355 and 3/8" felt wad for nice smokeless load.
However yes CAUTION should always be used when loading smokeless in these old rifles.
-
05-06-2016, 18:30 #22
- Join Date
- Jul 2010
- Location
- Witbank
- Age
- 59
- Posts
- 4,123
Re: Re-loading data for the Westley Richards Martini Henry .450/577
Members, an update:
I am extremely fortunate to have purchased 15 x drawn Martini Henry brass from a member on this forum. Now it will be possible to re-load /shoot my own Martini Henry hunting rifle. I will invest in a set of Lee , Martini Henry dies...
Gert
-
04-07-2016, 20:13 #23
- Join Date
- Jul 2010
- Location
- Witbank
- Age
- 59
- Posts
- 4,123
Re: Re-loading data for the Westley Richards Martini Henry .450/577
Update:
Martini Hernry owners, I did slug the bore/cast chamber of the Martini Henry today with Johan Greyling`s assistance. We used Ceracoat a product from Brownells, it really is a fine product to use. The bore is .455 " of this MH. Johan gave me paper patch bullets to shoot and hunt with, the only drawback I see about these bullets is it`s weight...it weigh a heavy 620 gn......I really would like to hear from you owners who shoot Martini Henry rifles what do you think about these heavy bullets?
I will start with a load development to see how these bullets group, I would use Fg powder and FFg powder to see which powder is the best to use.
I really would like to hear from you...
-
05-07-2016, 08:52 #24
- Join Date
- Mar 2016
- Location
- Pretoria
- Posts
- 1,389
Re: Re-loading data for the Westley Richards Martini Henry .450/577
Gert, that is really heavy, the original service loads were 480grains bullets, with 85grain of blackpowder behind it.
What charge did you think to start with? I assume you will chrony.
Have a look at martinihenry.com, there is reloading data from 1885.
I have an original copper mould, that cast 460 grain bullets. Can send you some bullets. These need to be paperpatch, their exact diametre I will have to check.
-
05-07-2016, 19:25 #25
- Join Date
- Jul 2010
- Location
- Witbank
- Age
- 59
- Posts
- 4,123
Re: Re-loading data for the Westley Richards Martini Henry .450/577
Finkelstein
I have these shop paper patch bullets available to make use of , Johan Greyling gave it to me to shoot it from my Martini Henry. Like the rugby rules indicates: use it or loose it.... I will zero the Martini Henry with these paper patch bullets at 50 meters for warthog...and if I can get close enough for Impala...what is your opinion in this regard?
I was thinking a load of 80 gn FFg powder????
-
05-07-2016, 19:48 #26
- Join Date
- Mar 2016
- Location
- Pretoria
- Posts
- 1,389
Re: Re-loading data for the Westley Richards Martini Henry .450/577
I would start with 70 grain, chrony and work it up slowly from there.
Pressure change in terms of mass of bullet, but would make sense to start lower with a heavier bullet. If the pressure change is linear, I would decrease the black powder load with the percentage the bullet is heavier than 480grain.
Thus, if the bullet is 620grain, 140 grain heavier than the original or 29 percent, I will reduce the initial charge to 60 grain, which is 71 percent of 85 grain.
-
06-07-2016, 21:23 #27
- Join Date
- Jul 2010
- Location
- Witbank
- Age
- 59
- Posts
- 4,123
Re: Re-loading data for the Westley Richards Martini Henry .450/577
Finkelstein
Thank you for the advice and suggested load development , it really is much appreciated. I was thinking along these lines as well...60 gn FFg will give me a good indication of which way I need to go more or less powder. I am thinking to zero at seventy meters ....since I will be hunting in bush veld conditions.
The only barrier regarding a workable load for my MH currently is to get a cast/ paper patch bullet mold that will underscore the accuracy of my MH .
I did slug the MH, it measured .455 " I will measure the un-patched bullet and work from there. What is your opinion of using the two different granules of black powder, the Fg or the FFg granule powder?
I would like to hear from you...
-
08-07-2016, 20:07 #28
- Join Date
- Mar 2016
- Location
- Pretoria
- Posts
- 1,389
Re: Re-loading data for the Westley Richards Martini Henry .450/577
Gert, Black powder is so scares, I use whatever I can get hold of. Bought half a kilogram of the Rustenburg Powder at Kloppers Bloemfontein. Will still have to try it out. Is packed though in plastic honeyjars- not good for peace of mind. Still had to sign for it!
-
08-07-2016, 21:42 #29
- Join Date
- Jul 2010
- Location
- Witbank
- Age
- 59
- Posts
- 4,123
Re: Re-loading data for the Westley Richards Martini Henry .450/577
Finkelstein
Here are photos of the heavy factory 620 gn patched bullets...
-
15-07-2016, 17:12 #30
- Join Date
- Jul 2010
- Location
- Witbank
- Age
- 59
- Posts
- 4,123
Re: Re-loading data for the Westley Richards Martini Henry .450/577
Update:
We managed to get hold of a piece of Martini Henry chamber /barrel, and converted into a full length re-loading die...I am working on a veld-re-loading set I can use when hunting the black powder hunts.
Similar Threads
-
Load data for .318 Westley Richards
By superlarry in forum Reloading DiscussionsReplies: 11Last Post: 28-01-2016, 13:18 -
Westley&Richards Martini Henry
By Gert Odendaal in forum Black Powder and Muzzle LoadingReplies: 3Last Post: 22-06-2014, 17:40 -
[WANTED] Westley&Richards Martini Henry
By Gert Odendaal in forum Firearms / Guns WantedReplies: 0Last Post: 22-06-2014, 15:04 -
[FOR SALE] 577/450 martini Henry westley richards for sale
By Mieliemonster in forum Firearms / Guns for SaleReplies: 16Last Post: 15-04-2014, 15:16 -
WTB sliding saftey for MK I Martini Henry/ Peabody/Martini
By DoubleD in forum Accessories Wanted (Parts, Magazines, Stocks, Scopes, Reloading etc.)Replies: 0Last Post: 10-11-2008, 05:42
Bookmarks