1908 Greener Cadet...one more checked off the list...

[crowtalks]

I picked up a little Greener Cadet chambered in 32-20 the other day. Its a fun little shooter that is different, for sure.

I have always wanted a Greener and even though this isn't what I initially had in mind, it is a Greener.

I read that these little Martini action guns were built as a trainer for the Australian Army.

Apparently it was originally chambered in .310 but someone rechambered it for a more popular cartridge here in the US.

I also read that the Greener Cadets generally had poor wood for the stocks and that may be why someone modified an 03 Springfield buttstock to fit it, though I also got an original stock with it.

 

[Dave DeLaurant]

Nice find!

One reason you see new buttstocks on Martini Cadets is the very short length of pull on the originals. I bought one for the action with a clapped-out barrel and stock from a dealer in Australia back in the 1990s. It sat fallow for almost two decades before I finally restocked/rebarreled/etc. it a few years ago (upper rifle.)



I reshaped a military Martini-Henry buttstock blank in order to get another 2" of pull on mine


There are at least a couple of members on the American Single Shot Rifle Association's FaceBook group that have rifles similar to yours with 32-20 chambers. If you encounter any problems in your journey you may find it helpful to network with them.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1960691024197817/permalink/2861361600797417/

 

[crowtalks]

Nice find!

One reason you see new buttstocks on Martini Cadets is the very short length of pull on the originals. I bought one for the action with a clapped-out barrel and stock from a dealer in Australia back in the 1990s. It sat fallow for almost two decades before I finally restocked/rebarreled/etc. it a few years ago (upper rifle.)

View attachment 1122502

I reshaped a military Martini-Henry buttstock blank in order to get another 2" of pull on mine


There are at least a couple of members on the American Single Shot Rifle Association's FaceBook group that have rifles similar to yours with 32-20 chambers. If you encounter any problems in your journey you may find it helpful to network with them.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1960691024197817/permalink/2861361600797417/

Thanks heaps for the info and the link!

you have a couple of really nice looking guns there...

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

Im totally jelly, those are all awesome!

 

[Bwana John]

While it will chamber and fire 32-20, the difference in bore size (~.313” for 32-20 and ~.323 for .310 Cadet/Greener) often doesn’t lend to good accuracy.

Using 32-20 full lenght brass and correct .323”/.316” 310 Cadet heeled bullets, letting the 32-20 brass fire form to the slightly larger chamber, and collet crimping the projectiles has worked very well for me.

Proper heeled bullets can be cast from the .310 cadet RCBS mold ~$100 or bought cast and lubed from Bear Creek Bullets. https://www.bearcreeksupplybullets.com/310cadet-heeledbullet

 

[R.W.Dale]

I have a thread on here about mine. Unfortunately due to the wildly oversized bore mine keyholes commercial 32/20.

But shooting the correct heeled bullet and loading a bastard 32/20-310 mismash of components it's a good shooter. But this is a real chore and I feel I might send it off to be rebored to 357

 

[R.W.Dale]

https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/32-20-aussie-martini-cadet-rifle.892198/page-3

 

[Bwana John]

I have a thread on here about mine. Unfortunately due to the wildly oversized bore mine keyholes commercial 32/20.

But shooting the correct heeled bullet and loading a bastard 32/20-310 mismash of components it's a good shooter. But this is a real chore and I feel I might send it off to be rebored to 357

Your supplier you linked in the older thread, Matt’s Bullets is selling the correct .310 bullet for $.18/each Bear Creek is selling them for $.074/each… roughly 2.5X less expensive

The heeled bullet cartridges are a little harder to load for, but I think are worth it. I don’t think it’s worth trying to hot rod the old rifle.

 

[R.W.Dale]

Your supplier you linked in the older thread, Matt’s Bullets is selling the correct .310 bullet for $.18/each Bear Creek is selling them for $.074/each… roughly 2.5X less expensive

The heeled bullet cartridges are a little harder to load for, but I think are worth it. I don’t think it’s worth trying to hot rod the old rifle.

I have a pretty strong dislike for moly coated cast bullets for rifles I care how they shoot. Matt's are very high quality and finish plus are local to my state.when possible I like to support local business. The miniscule price difference is irrelevant to me for a single shot antique. They are also of an appropriate hardness for a heeled low pressure application

Honestly I don't think I or many people would associate 357 magnum as the "hot rod" in the context of rifles. It would simply yield a more useful rifle in a much easier to load for configuration. Any collector value went away the moment that 32/20 reamer went in

 

[Gordon]

FWIW I had a cadet Martini in .32 Winchester Special, which is just a slightly necked up .30.30 . It was very accurrate with factory ammo which was abundant in the 1970s when I was gifted it in a time of need. I later cast bullets for it in the 80s and found the bore to be ideal for the .321 .32Win Special bullets. You could have it rechambered and and an easy cut on the extractor circle for the 30-30 shell head. There is enough meat in the chamber to easily take the bigger cartridge. I would NOT load it hot, but it would be an order of magnitude over the pee wee .32-20 with 160-70 grain bullets at 2000 fps factory specs ! A real stalking rifle !

 

[PapaG]

I've wanted a Martini ever since I had one in 303 converted to 45-70 and foolishly traded for something so insignificant I can't remember what it was. Maybe next, a 32-40

 

[Robert]

While those are very cool little rifles, I want a full size Martini Henry, Snider, P-53, and Long Lee. Just so I can have the Empire covered.

 

[1965tinman]

Those are nice rifles..I have two one unmolested .310 and one lined to 25'-20 wcf. Here's a photo of the 25wcf

 

[Speedo66]

In the early 60's, before they condemned all the area to build the original World Trade Center, a surplus store I frequented there, Kaufman's, had a barrel filled with Cadets, $11 a pop.

No money, no available ammo, not old enough to buy all caused me to miss out on that deal.