What gun stuff did you do today?

[wildrider666]

The reputation on SCCY have really come up since they were introduced (early CPX-1). Still budget friendly and an assortment of color if you like that stuff. They not only compete with the lower dollar Hi-Point, I think their quality and price forces more recognized brands with similar pistols to keep their prices more competitive. Win/Win.

 

[Daezee]

Cast lots of .310 Martini Cadet bullets yesterday. Today was reloading .310 Cadet brass. A bit labor intensive, but I have the time. Here's some loaded rounds with liquid alox smeared on the bullet bearing surface air drying.

 

[FamilyFirst]

Nice!!! looks like a lot of range fun. Will they be run through a Martini-Henry?

 

[Daezee]

Nice!!! looks like a lot of range fun. Will they be run through a Martini-Henry?

The Martini Cadet has a smaller action than the Martini-Henry and different rifling. As best I can find, after the Boer War, Australia figured they could be better prepared for future conflicts if they started training their youth marksmanship at high school age. Thus the Martini Cadet rifles were made in England (mostly by BSA) for them. About 32 caliber, 120 grain heeled lead bullet at 1350fps. They were issued to the various Australian states for youth training. During WWII Australia thought that Japan might invade the country. The Cadet rifles were then issued to farmers and milita and FMJ ammo was designed and issued to conform with the Geneva Convention, as there were not enough .303 Enfields to go around. A bayonet was also designed, but is now exceedingly rare (I have never seen one for sale) (I doubt bayonets were imported with the rifles). You can see the blueing wear marks from when mine had a bayonet attached.

In the 60's the rifles were surplussed and sold very cheap, as outside of Australia the ammo was hard to find. Many were converted to other calibers in an effort to make them useful. Conversions to 32 Winchester and 32-20 mostly don't work due to the bullet diameter not matching the bore. Mine was never converted, and after a bit of effort, I now load the original cartridge. My mould came from Australia and throws the right design bullet. With the alloy I use, my bullets are in the 110-111gr range. My accuracy load is milder than the original, giving 1123fps and has proven accurate in 3 other local Martini Cadets. I use 4.1gr Unique.

Mine was issued to the state of Victoria in April of 1911. Victoria added its own inventory number and ownership markings to the stock and action

 

[RackinRay]

Beautiful old rifle!

 

[Rebel_Rider1969]

That's very cool

 

[wildrider666]

Love the Roo!

 

[Rebel_Rider1969]

Well, I'm done. 75oz 16inch AR15. That equals 4.6 lbs. Forgot to weigh the handguard last time. Without going exotic I'm stuck. Same weight as the stock keltec SU16 with sights, and it folds, lol.

New frontier lower required some hand fitting. That normal? Used a pony lower parts kit. Had to use PSA trigger kit as the pony trigger was a hair too long.

 

[rviray]

That looks good Rebel, would you sacrifice looks for weight? I mean if you got a shorter handguard around, that would probably knock off an ounce or two.

 

[Rebel_Rider1969]

I thought about that. Handguard is only 6.46 oz. Hate to leave the gas block/ tube exposed. Still thinking on ways to lighten it up. Hows the paint holding up on your ruger?

 

[rviray]

It is actually holding up pretty good. Went to the range weeks ago prior to the coronapocalypse, ran about 100 rounds through her and everything held up. I still haven't taken apart and paint the trigger, too lazy.

The only thing that I can think about is maybe romoving some material from individual pieces. I can see removing some material from the grip, try to make it skeletonized. I think that will be my next DIY, do a skeletonized grip...

 

[RidgeRunner]

How much does a stock pistol grip weigh?
When every ounce counts ++

Hogue 15 Degree Vertical Polymer Grip is the lightest AR pistol grip available weighing a mere 1.6 oz.

 

[Rebel_Rider1969]

If your bored I can bring ya my rock island .45 and you can paint it! Jpritz has some ar skeleton grips he's made. He makes the kick ass flag grips for sale on here.

 

[Rebel_Rider1969]

How much does a stock pistol grip weigh?
When every ounce counts ++

Hogue 15 Degree Vertical Polymer Grip is the lightest AR pistol grip available weighing a mere 1.6 oz.

The GI one is 2.9oz so that would take about an oz off. I've noticed gi grips are different weights. 1.9 - 3.6 depending on maker.

 

[rviray]

I was thinking more like this when it comes to a skeletonized grip.


As for painting your .45, I ain't that good yet. However, I can clean and prep the gun, you come over or I can go to your house with my stuff and you can "Pull the Trigger" on the paint gun. That way, I can meet a fellow GCGF member and if it has blemishes, I can just blame you..lol

 

[Rebel_Rider1969]

I was thinking more like this when it comes to a skeletonized grip.
View attachment 81776

As for painting your .45, I ain't that good yet. However, I can clean and prep the gun, you come over or I can go to your house with my stuff and you can "Pull the Trigger" on the paint gun. That way, I can meet a fellow GCGF member and if it has blemishes, I can just blame you..lol

I was just going to hand it off to you,lol it's a shooter not worried about cosmetic nonsense. As long as it goes Bang! I'm happy. No safe queens here. Figured you could practice on mine.

I could drill the ar grip, but how much would I gain, really. May order the one Ridge Runner posted.

 

[rviray]

I got 2 colors to paint with, blank and burnt bronze. More than happen to paint it. It takes a full week to cure, just as a heads up. As for the grip, I don't know but I got a couple of cheap ones laying around here and I will start taking off material. I will weigh it before and after. I will let you know.

 

[Rebel_Rider1969]

Cool. I'll get up with you at some point. I have to pop over to cantonment too, Sawman has a stock I need for my. 224 build. Still need a +12x scope too for it that costs less than the rifle, lol.

 

[Rebel_Rider1969]

Heres the skinny on the parts used. In oz.

Barrel and upper 31.46
Handguard 6.46
Bolt 11.4
Charging handle 1.19
Lower 24.67

Stock PSA lower is 29.33

Still needs sights so add 2oz for popups

 

[SAWMAN]

Once you get to the weight that you have,I really doubt that you will even come close to 4.2lbs without resorting to the high priced stuff.
I understand though . . . still a "project". --- SAWMAN