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I didn't know BSA Martini International's were so picky.
Posted: Mon Aug 17, 2015 6:50 pm
by ukrifleman
I recently bought a Mk.1 BSA Martini International from a prominent Full-Bore UK member and took it to the range full of expectations.
I pulled out a box of Blazer ammo, which performs very well in my Martini .303 conversion at 50 yards and got down to business.
Imagine my surprise when I was unable to match the results of my other Martini, which has basic sights.
Here I was, with a target rifle weighing 14.5lb, PH25B target sights, match trigger, thumb-hole stock, tunnel fore-sight and just couldn't make it group.
The 7th Cavalry arrived in the shape of an old shooting buddy toting some RWS Target ammunition and lo and behold after 5 shots I was looking at a raggy hole!
It would appear that this rifle definitely doesn't like high velocity ammunition.
Just goes to show without the right fodder, you are on a hiding to nothing - lesson learned!
ukrifleman.
Re: I didn't know BSA Martini International's were so picky.
Posted: Mon Aug 17, 2015 7:04 pm
by Sim G
Rarely will a .22lr give the best results with high velocity ammunition. Likewise, I discovered a long time ago that 22's are all very picky with their preferred ammo and the difference between the best and the worst can be huge!
Re: I didn't know BSA Martini International's were so picky.
Posted: Mon Aug 17, 2015 7:24 pm
by saddler
ukrifleman wrote:... in the shape of an old shooting buddy... lo and behold after 5 shots I was looking at a raggy hole!
Tell him to get some braces fitted
Re: I didn't know BSA Martini International's were so picky.
Posted: Mon Aug 17, 2015 8:15 pm
by Dahonis
Eley Match are also very good
Re: I didn't know BSA Martini International's were so picky.
Posted: Mon Aug 17, 2015 8:56 pm
by Les
Dahonis wrote:Eley Match are also very good
+1
I've had a Mki and a Mkiii BSA Martini, and for general range-work they both liked CCI Standard, but for competition they performed best with Eley Match.
Re: I didn't know BSA Martini International's were so picky.
Posted: Mon Aug 17, 2015 9:07 pm
by Kungfugerbil
Eley and martini internationals seem made for each other. Even the Eley sport or club run well. R50 seems to go quite nicely in a couple we have at the club.
Blazers are filth. Couldn't believe how grimy they were when I shot some freebies. After 50 of them it felt like I had been shooting black powder :)
Re: I didn't know BSA Martini International's were so picky.
Posted: Mon Aug 17, 2015 10:13 pm
by Laurie
Kungfugerbil wrote:Eley and martini internationals seem made for each other. Even the Eley sport or club run well. R50 seems to go quite nicely in a couple we have at the club.
They literally were made for each other - the two UK manufacturers worked together very closely for many years while the BSAs ruled international smallbore shooting. The best performer was usually the original Tenex. My Mk 5 would really perform well with it, but the newer EPS version doesn't shoot nearly as well.
Re: I didn't know BSA Martini International's were so picky.
Posted: Wed Aug 19, 2015 1:33 pm
by Landy Dave
Laurie wrote:Kungfugerbil wrote:Eley and martini internationals seem made for each other. Even the Eley sport or club run well. R50 seems to go quite nicely in a couple we have at the club.
They literally were made for each other - the two UK manufacturers worked together very closely for many years while the BSAs ruled international smallbore shooting. The best performer was usually the original Tenex. My Mk 5 would really perform well with it, but the newer EPS version doesn't shoot nearly as well.
I have found the above true, my BSA MK III has been through 4 members of our club over the last 20 years or so and we all agree Eley is they only ammo to feed it, anything else may give good 3 shot groups but they always open up when you get to the 5th, 6th or more shots.
Re: I didn't know BSA Martini International's were so picky.
Posted: Sun Aug 30, 2015 8:59 pm
by legs748
+1 for CCI standard velocity. I sat down on a quiet windless day with eight different brands, a mkII and a rest and the CCI came out top on that occasion and that is my normal food. The best group of all was made with RWS R100 but at nearly £10 a box I wouldn't bother!