Once of the rifles that I have just sitting around is a Sportco Martini in 22LR. You know, the ones that only have a Kangaroo stamp on the top of the receiver. It is not in the best shape (I'll get photos up tonight or maybe tomorrow) and I never gave it much thought. I finally got around to researching it this morning to find out they were built off 310 Cadet actions and found a post here about converting it back to centerfire. I have been wanting to build a small bore centerfire rifle for Schuetzen and this brings up a few questions:

1) Would this be considered a traditional rifle? I know ASSRA doesn't require it but for example would it qualify for the "Quarterbore Corps"?

2) Considering the fact I am "cash challenged" and have this in hand is this a realistic action to build a low pressure small bore Schuetzen on?

3) Recomendations on calibers? If this is considered a "traditional" action then I would want a traditional caliber, possibly a 25-20 SS, 25-21, or 32-20. I would also consider 30-20 with this set up. 

4) Breech seaters, anyone have one for a small frame Martini? Would I be able to just do a cartridge case with a "knob" sticking out the back that I use to "push" the bullet into place?

5) Are there questions I should be asking that I am not thinking of?

I was going to put together a T/C Contender carbine in .22 and a small centerfire for offhand use until I could save up the money for a proper rifle but if I can build a centerfire rifle off this I would rather put the money into it. I have a BSA International .22 that already covers my rimfire needs... 

Thanks in advance!

PM inbound!

Well...  Peabody made Martini's in the US.  Granted, they were large actions, but still...

FWIW,
I have one in 30-20, rebarreled using a take-off .308 Palma match barrel, and it performs quite well - certainly for the investment made.  A very versatile round indeed, it can be used as gallery rifle with 110gr pistol-style ammo, but also as a higher-powered rifle, loaded up with 155gr Sierra BTHP Palma bullets (yes, I know - not cast), both for prone and offhand work.  I know I like mine!

I think you have already hit on it: the cartridges like the .32 Miller Short, 32-357, 32RKS and so on are almost exclusively breech-seating cartridges, and it is difficult to do that with a small Martini.  38_Cal has succeeded in making a usable seater and has a post on the subject in the gunsmithing section.  But many shooters are still used to the better chamber and bore access of other action types.  From a size and strength standpoint I think the cartridges mentioned would be ok and the price of small Martini actions is certainly attractive.

I was given a couple of .32 Miller cases a while back, and found that their capacity is within one grain of my Starline 32-20 brass.  Advantage to the 32-20, you can use a .30 caliber barrel (including good takeoffs in any of the .30 caliber cartridges) and there's bunches of molds available, most of which are a snap to convert to plain base.  My .30 caliber 32-20 on a Ruger No. 3 action uses a 12" twist, and shoots better than I can with a modified RCBS 30-180SP, that in almost pure lead weighs about 190 gr.

David
Montezuma, IA