doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion Classic & Custom Single Barreled Sporting Rifles @ doublegunshop.com BSA Martini project underway

Thanks for all the great input and data- I have decided to have Brad Bachelder rechamber my BSA Martini 12/15 Target .22LR to the .22Magnum- It has a barrel block mount for a scope (Weaver style clamping rings- and I am somewhat "in the market" for a 1" dia steel tubed scope- 14-18" long from end to end- either 6X or a mid-range vari-power- US made only, thanks. FWIW in passing, Dave gave me the OK to list a older 1" El Paso Weaver 2.75 to 4.5 VP scope, and I sold it to a gent in Canada (ain't customs paperwork a hoot?)--and then sent the tenner to Dave- sure beats Ex-Lax-Bay and those other scam-a-rama websites, IMO anyway. Fotos and pricing if anyone has such a used scope for sale- Also, I have two "vintage" (most abused word in the English language) Lyman Middlefield Conn loading-decapping tools for sale, both work- Ideal hand plier style for 30-06, and a press toggle style for 16 gauge shotshells- fotos and pricing availble upon request. Thanks- RWTF

It does sound like an interesting project, RWTF. Martinis hold a secret spot in my heart too, and my 12/15 has been nudging me for a 'new set of clothes'. Thinking in term of a .22CF, in an obscure 30's .22 wildcat such as a Lindahl Chucker, K-Lovell, or somesuch. We shall see.

Your postings tend to be more verbose than is my preference, but sometimes you do come up with some interesting thoughts!

OK--sounds a bit like "damning with faint praise" but at age 70 plus, I'm not likely to change much. I have a sister in Germantown MD-- her husband is a very serious single shot collector/shooter- BSA, Farquarson, some Winchester Hi-Walls-- very addictive--

RWTF,
After all the hallibalou with barrel diameters and twist rates, you decided to go with the .22 mag afterall. I really want to do the same, too many projects started already and it will have to wait, so I guess if your willing to tell, I want to know to hear how it turns out.

Sincerely,

Jerry

By the way, I really like your nick name, Is there a story behind the "run with the fox" name?

I'd also like to know the "story behind the handle."

Single shots ARE addictive and it was a cheap addiction when I got hooked on my first one, which I got for cleaning out the neighbor's chicken house. Unfortunately, the "drug" has got nearly prohibitive in cost, and I haven't "bottomed out" yet.....

I think what appealed to me about them as a kid was I could figure out how they worked without the help of an adult. Now that I think of it, that may STILL be the appeal!

Thanks for the good input- especially from Jerry and Mike. My first .22LR was/is a Stevens Walnut Hill, so I became "hooked" at age 10 (Thank you, Grandfather Sean). I found the BSA 12/15 used in a M&P gunshop a few years ago, up near where I deer hunt each Nov. here in MI. The owner let me test fire it, and what a sweet trigger- 29" heavy barrel, std. target sights (which I later removed) and used a Weaver 4 power on the scope/sight blocks on the long barrel. I removed the rear Lee Enfield peep style target sight of course-- Anyway, I recently "lucked into" 10 50 rd. NIB boxes of CCI .22Mag (500 rds.) and I asked Brad about rechambering, so until I get it back from his shop, and install (hopefully) a either 6x or 2.5 x 7 x scope, not too much more to add as of now- but will surely keep you posted as to how it shoots after this project is completed- And the same Irish Grandfather that gave me the Stevens Walnut Hill at age 11- and 1931 era Model 12 in 20 gauge (28" mod. solid rib Field Grade), and a Winchester Model 1906 .22LR pump at age 14-- also gave me some very good advice-- at age 16-- "Son, in your life ahead, you are gonna have to decide whether to plod along with the oxes, or run with the foxes"-- Sister Theresa Polycarp would have, no doubt, told him-- "You mean OXEN, not OXES" but as the only female he ever paid any attention to was my Grandmother Kathleen, the good Sister's words would have fallen on deaf ears-He was, as I am, a male chauvinist to a degree- he also told me that "Wimmen have no business meddling in the things that begin with the letter P-- Politics, Shootin' Pool, Playin' Poker, Hunting Pheasants or takin' a good solid Piss in the woods"--

Years ago I bought a 13/15 with the intention of turning it into a hornet then a friend gave me a 43 Winchester he bought when he was a kid.I now have a good supply of brass and a mold for bullets and with the scarcity of 22rf may rethink my Martini projact as the 43 is of no use to me. I also have a cadet 222R built by a local benchrester which gives me no use for the hornet. As it is my 12/15 shoots into one hole at 50 yds. which is reason not to mess with it also Eventualy things will have to get back to normal or I will be shooting cans with 10X. also found out my 74 Winchester will cycle with target amo not like the 63 requiring the hv stuff

Fox:

FWIW, I have a BSA Model 15 that was converted to .22 Hornet by a prior owner. It shoots factory ammo (all I've tried to date) very nicely, even using the iron target sights. I think you'll find that your 12/15 makes a nice .22 Magnum.

Rem

Thanks-- Brad Bachelder also recommended leaving the 29" long barrel full length- I had thought about having him cut it back to 25" and recrown--I most likely will use it with a sling, and also with the shooting sticks for field shooting at varmints.

Runs, who is your brother in law? I can see Germantown from my house. PM me if you are protective of his identity. I also shoot a Mark 2 BSA Martini and have a baggo other single shots.