[Jaco]

A friend of mine has this little falling block Martini like rifle, using the cartridge pictured in the middle. The cartridge to the left is a .22LR, the one to the right is a .32ACP/7.65mm. Does anyone have an idea what caliber it is?

[S/SP]

Sure looks like a .25 caliber to me.

Mind you, an educated guess would possibly be a .255 rook rifle cartridge.


S/SP

[Sockrotter]

I think S/SP nailed it; possibly a 297/250 Rook rifle cartridge.
According to "Cartridges of the World" it's a 56 grain bullet @ 1150 f.p.s.
IIRC, a highly motivated handloader could make brass from .22 Hornet cases, but would involve a lot of resizing, trimming and possibly reaming. And I bet those little tiny cases are a real pain to manipulate for any "fumble-finger" types.
Rob

[dipodomys]

Resembles a 25-20, but if it's european in origin the 297/250 rook would probably fit. Do you have any measurements to go by?

[Jaco]

I would have to measure it with a ruler, seeing as I do not have any better equipment for the job....

[dipodomys]

It's a lot shorter than a 25-20. 297/230 Morris Short is the only thing I can find with a case length almost the same as a .22 LR. .58" case length while a .22LR is .595 case length. bullet dia .225, neck dia .274, base dia.295, rim dia .347, case length .58, ctg oal.89. It does appear to be a slightly larger slug, like a .25". Hope this helps some.

[Terry G]

I'm going to take a shot and say it might be a .310 Martini Cadet cartridge. These 'cadet" rifles were issued to the cadets at Sandhurst Military College, I believe. Some as young as twelve. This way they learned to handle the Martini-Henry type rifle without being put in the hospital from the big Martini's recoil. The cartridge shape is very similar to the .450/577 Cartridge. If that's what your friends got, it should have British Military Markings and Crowns on it. Can you get a picture of it?

[Blammer]

Now ...Please tell us more about that Rimfire HP Wadcutter round :D Looks like a commercially loaded version of the jobs I do with a "Paco Tool" :D
Something from Swartklip perhaps??? -intresting :D

[NAVSPEC]

It looks like it would be a great turkey round. ( For those that can use rifles
on turkey).

[dipodomys]

The 310 cadet is a straight sided case, can be made from 32-20 brass, and is longer. At first it looks like a larger slug than the .22 but not much larger. If you have a .25 cal rifle around anywhere, try sticking the front of the cartridge into the front of the barrel on a .25 if it slips inside easily all the way to the brass it'll be a 297/230 Rook of English make. It's the only bottlenecked cartridge I can find that is that short. The case length gives it away. There are darned few centerfire cases shorter than a .32ACP case, and even fewer that are necked. The rimmed case tells us it isn't a modern case. 1882-1962, these rounds may be found in BSA martini actions manufactured as late as 1962.

[armoredman]

Then ask Midway to make dies!

[Popeye]

Midway? RCBS!

[Popeye]

After some checking, I'm going to vote for the 297/230 Morris Short. The 297/250 Rook case is too long.

In addition to what dipodomys said, its muzzle velocity is 875 fps at 100 yds it is 720 fps. Muzzle energy is 63 ft./lb at 100 yds it is 43 ft./lb. Drop is 15" at 100 yds.

This is/was a screaming round! :D

[Jaco]

Blammer,

We have a new series of Swartklip Rimfire cartridges that has come out. It consists of the following:

35 gr. Spitzer Low Drag Bullet, MV1410 fps. - A sharp pointed bullet, looks as if developed for hunting.

38 gr. Super Hollow Point Bullet, MV 1340 fps

45 gr. Solid Heavyweight Bullet, Mv1225 fps

39 gr. Sabre Tip Bullet, MV 1340 fps - Bullet supposedly tumbles on impact to efficiently transfer energy inside target.

The one in the pic is the Super Hollow Point Bullet.

[Jaco]

Dipodomys and Popeye was right, it is a 297/230 Morris Short.

I identified it immediately from the website :

http://www.ammo-one.com/297-230MorrisSh.html