doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion Classic & Custom Single Barreled Sporting Rifles @ doublegunshop.com Martinis

A poster wrote me to ask about converting his RF Cadet to CF and restocking, and I thought my response might be of interest to others. The response is rather short & basic but does deal with a few recurring Cadet concerns. Cadets are cool but can be a problem sometimes. My response follows:

'Your RF Cadet can be converted to CF in several ways and I've done most of them. I recommend that the striker nose be reduced in dia at that time, for the anticipated higher-pressure cartridge. The standard 223 and the Improved version can both be used with a rimless extractor conversion, available from several sources in several designs. Please be advised that the high pressure of the 223 can cause sticky extraction since the Cadet has no primary extraction and somewhat weak extractor leverage. This is usually not a big problem but many folks prefer to use a rimmed cartridge for a more positive grab on the cartridge rim. I personally use the 357 Maximum case wildcatted into a rimmed 222, also an Improved Zipper chambering works well with the Cadet. A Scottish fellow of my acquaintance uses the 5.6x50R cartridge, a longer European version of the 223 with slightly more velocity.

'Your plans to use a pistol-grip stock can be problematic if not approached properly. It's very difficult to get a smooth even bend when altering the lever, and many attempts result in unwanted curves and lumps. I prefer to use either the original straight grip or else the lever from the later 12/15 or 15 that already has a tight PG curve formed in it. It's sometimes necessary to apply considerable force to the Cadet lever when a stubborn CF case sticks in the chamber, and a lever that's been heated for custom alteration is necessarily weaker and the greater extraction force can result in an unwanted kink if not re-hardened.

'At present I own 3 Cadets that I built myself: one Francotte Improved Zipper with PG, one Greener takedown wildcat 222 Rimmed with straight grip and one BSA standard Zipper with straight grip. I do not recommend the standard Zipper but the Improved version works splendidly as does the 222 Rimmed on the Maxi case. The custom bent lever on the Improved has caused lots of problems and I'm not completely happy with it yet. Most custom-bent Cadet levers are a PITA.'

Well, there's my response and I'm officially now soliciting your comments, questions, concerns and experiences. I like Cadets and wish to expand my knowledge base, your photos would be greatly appreciated!
Regards, Joe

Has anyone examined the Weber & Ruesch set trigger??
Might be a good winter project
Sydney

I built a Cadet several years ago in 22 Hornet.Great varminter,no recoil,no pressure or extraction problems.I contoured thelever by heating and forming it over a 2" pipe nipple.

Sydney,

That Francotte reversed set trigger does require some extensive modifications - and also a pretty elaborate spring to make it work. It also has a very different sear arrangement when compared to the standard cadet - maybe I should try and find my parts pic I have somewhere...
FWIW, I also have BSA 12/15's converted to 22Hornet and 30-20, very nice - they maybe should get some new wood to do them justice...

Martinibelgian--If you find the parts pictures would
you post them??-I would like to see how they
were make
Thanks Sydney

Sydney,

Try this:


Top on is a top view from the special spring, the other parts are side views. The little screw is the trigger adjustment screw. As you can see, the inner works have been changed quite a bit...

From Clair Kofoed, he will be along to tell you about it.

Hi--Thanks for posting the pictures
Sydney

Many thanks for posting the photo, Mike.

The rifle is a BSA Mark II, rebarreled and customized by George Hoenig in .17 HRM. Shoots very well, as you might expect.

I have one like it except my Unertl is the 4x and I havn't finished or checkered the stock yet.

Good shooting,

C.

Here is information on my Martini Cadet.
It is a W.W. Greener. Barrel is Shilen, 21½”, 0.750” at the muzzle. The barrel over the chamber is a straight cylinder about 3” long to facilitate scope mtg. Chamber was cut with a 223 Ackley reamer, but with a neck length of 0.230”. Firing pin is bushed. Barrel, scope mount and blueing was done by Laux Gun Service in Ft. Loramie, Ohio.
I did the stock work. Stock is an old Fajen blank that I had for a Krag. Butt plate is from a Browning shotgun. Grip cap is from a Ruger 77/22. Fore end tip is Cocobolo.
I endorse your comments on the PG lever. Mine ain't pretty, but haven't gotten any critical comments yet.
Scope is an inexpensive BSA 4-16 in Weaver extra high rings. Total weight of the whope package is 7.0#.

Chambering is for a cartridge I’ll call the 224 R-C Maxi Ackley Improved as inspired by J.D.Steele. (Thanks Joe)
I have slightly changed the design by using the 40 degree shoulder of the 223 Ackley and lengthening the neck to .230" The chamber was cut with a 223 Ackley Reamer. Trimmed case length is 1.610”. Case capacity is 29.3 gr of water to the bottom of the neck; which is about a 8½% increase over the std 222 Rem case.
Cases were annealed then neck sized; first in a 7.62 Tokarov die and then with a 256 Winchester. First attempts to size with a shortened 223 Ackley die were not successful. Experimenting with a home made neck sizing die with a 23° taper showed improvement. A second hand 222 Rem sizing die solved the problem.
As weather and work allow, I will be working on load development and will post the results. Preliminary accuracy and velocity results over the chrony are very encouraging.
If I can't figure out how to attach pictures, I will email to Joe and ask him to do so.