577-450 recommendations

[ovenpaa]

I am thinking about a 577-450 and looking for any recommendations please. It would be used mostly for 100m with the occasional run out to longer distances. What should I be looking for regarding model and reloading?

[FredB]

The Mk4 Martini Henry is probably the best shooter, but all variants are OK. 577-45 is a cartridge for enthusiastic masochistic reloaders. The case capacity is too large and the rifles have very long throats and sloppy chambers. Over size--usually about .460" bullets are required for accuracy and even so, the case necks will expand a lot. Avoid full length re-sizing, neck sizing only works best. Only re-size to a diameter which will hold your bullet. You do not need proper 577/45 dies. The cases need to be annealed after firing and especially when new. New Bertram cases will usually split on the first firing if not annealed, and they are expensive.
I would suggest going for a Martini in no2 Musket calibre. This is a much better round and very straight forward to reload, but you are unlikely to find a military one. Sporters are more common.
After some years with a Martini Henry I sold it and bought the best 19th century black powder cartridge rifle---a Mauser 71/84. I still have a Snider to compliment my P53 Enfield.
Fred

[ovenpaa]

Thank you Fred, that is a good start. I agree the Mauser 1871 is a fine rifle and one I always have an eye out for.

[River]

New Bertram cases will usually split on the first firing if not annealed, and they are expensive.
Fred

This is not my experience, I have reloaded Bertram several times haveing had them from new without annealing, without issue. I am planning to anneal them soon, as it will extend their life, but as I have said no problems so far - I dont full length resize, only neck size with a 480 ruger die.

[FredB]

I use Bertram in several different calibres. My 577-45 experience is a good few years ago and I have noticed that recently Bertram cases show signs of the final production annealing which they certainly used to leave off.
Fred

[dromia]

Aye the MK IV s are the easiest to get and shoot fine here is one of my typical 5 shot MKIV Martini 100 yrd targets, the shot out of the group to the right was called by the shooter. Thumb for scale, three shots all in the main group.



The No2 Musket has to be the best PB cartridge ever designed, I currently shoot a Westley Richards Deeley Edge falling block rifle in No 2 Musket. I have always hankered after a Martini actioned BP bench gun with a Lothar Walther barrel. Too many guns and no time to shoot them all.

The Mauser cartridge is a fine one too but it just doesn't do it for me a bit like the boring 308, I sold my 71/84 a couple of years ago but still have my 71 which I have been threatening to get out again.

Still getting too much pleasure out of my muzzleloading just now building up a pistol battery, just repros 1858 Remington Pedersoli, 1860 Colt old Amy in .44, 51 Navy and a Griswold copy in .36 all by Pietteta, 45 Patriot pistol by Pedersoli all percussion. Also have a old Indian repro Dragoon Flintlock that I just rejuvenated and got working, it has the fastest lock I have ever fired and I have been privileged over the years to have fired examples some of the best contemporary flintlocks ever made, a fine shooting piece smoothbore .600" calibre soft lead ball, wasp nest wad, a proper dry lubed patch and a hefty dose of FFG and at 25yrds it will hold its own with the rifled pistols.

I have always found Bertram brass to be fine if you cosset them and why wouldn't you at the price they are.

I know, topic drift but it saved me starting a new thread.

[ovenpaa]

Topic drift is good, so are pictures.

[dromia]

If you do get a Martini look for a Ross Mk111 rear sight, it just drops into replace the original leaf sight, has an aperture and windage adjust so really tightens up your shooting.

[ovenpaa]

Is the windage on the Ross MkIII sight fixed or adjustable by drifting across? I have never looked that closely at them.

[dromia]

No there is a worm screw on the front of the sight, bit facing the muzzle, turning that adjusts the windage of the aperture plate.

You have one in your possession currently, have a look.