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Enjoying Black Powder Episode 3: The Martini-Henry MkIV (Ad-free)
🕑 Added 2024-07-27 12:00:03 +0000 UTCThe full version with hand loading information (not permitted on YouTube) is available here: https://forgottenweapons.vhx.tv/videos/martini-app-cut
Sorry about the wind noise! We did our best to deal with it in post-production.
Black powder military rifles of the 1860s-1880s are a really enjoyable group of guns. A lot of them are relatively reasonably priced, and they are actually pretty easy to reload for. The unavailability of factory ammunition (for most, although not so much for the Trapdoor) makes them seem like a daunting prospect, but for a pretty simple investment in tools and time one can make up ammunition and have a lot of fun with rifles like this.
That's the idea behind a new series here on black powder military rifles. Each moth, my friend - and handloader - Tom and I will take out a different model to have some fun at the range and compare how they handle. And then we will show you how to make the ammunition for them. So grab your pith helmet, pause "Zulu" and join us! Today is Episode Three: the Martini-Henry MkIV!
Comments
Bruce Brodnax
Does anyone make a repop .402 barrel and do we know the original cartridge dimensions so we can convert a MkIV back to its original chambering so we can take advantage of the superior ballistics? Asking for a friend... Also, can we get enough owners to band together and tell the NRA to change the rules so they'll be legal for BPCR competition already?!? Stupid cronies of that criminal WLP ruining the sport... Grrr!
Darryl Buckman
The .577-450 was the rifle of the Australian colonial forces used in both Boar Wars except for South Australia which used the martini in .303, Australia converted to the SMLE during the second boar war. The .577-450 was cut down was also very commonly used to shoot the water buffaloes in the north for their hide up to the 1940’s, were the shooter would gallop his horse along side the buffalo and shoot it between the shoulder blades at basically the end of the barrel. We also had a cute little martini cadet rifle chambered in.310 cadet. In colonial Australia and after federation in 1901 up until WW1 every school boy had to by law belong to the cadets as a part of their schooling and the .310 was used for musketry on school football grounds to train them how to shoot.
Forgotten Weapons
Yes, they did later make some in .303 British.
BEAUSABRE23
Did they eventually go to smokeless powder?
BEAUSABRE23
Private McCullum, you are shooting from the wrong shoulder! I don't want to have to report you to the Sergeant Major.
Dana Arbeit
I love this series of videos. I had a 577-450 MH for awhile. I eventually sold it and did pick up one of the .303 conversions for shooting fun. It is rough but works. It was the best single-shot military rifle system of the late 19th Century.
Stephen T. Goode Jr
Should have a video of the cleaning of black powder arms.
Guido Schriewer
could wear a kilt in that outfit as well. well it looks hot and desert like.. not exactly rorke's drift but... . thanx for saying LEVER (like in leather) as I can't stand it when people call it lever (like in ... liver?) action! looks to run just fine prone. wonder why...
