I am thinking about keeping my Gahendra Martini as a 577/450 and was wondering about some good load dat for it, other than 60grn. bullet over 80grns. black, that won't blow one of these up.  I'm going to rebarrel with a new barre lfrom Pac-Nor and drop it into some sporter type wood, orconvert it into a 30-30 or 32-40, but the original Martini chambering is interesting.

Kicks like an angry, angry mule...

But a lot of fun to reload once you get past that initial cost for dies and brass.

A fantastic resource for the .577-450 is the British Militaria Forums at 
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The folks that hang out there know a lot about getting the Martini's to shoot.  Some of the same folks hang out here too, of course, but if you want a group that is focused more tightly on the .577-450, that's the one.

I've only gotten to the "it goes bang" stage, so I don't have a lot to share...  my first tests were with Hodgson 777 powder (NOT a full case), and I think once I have good bullets to use, it's going to be quite a bit of fun if I can get some valium into that mule. 

Paul F.

I can tell you what doesn't work, Green dot with a toilet paper wad. A guy showed up at the range with this load. It didn't go bang, It kind of farted and spit out the most impressive fireballs I have ever seen. Accuracy was some what erratic.

40 Rod

I don't know if they are still in production, but the Lee dies for the .577 Snider and the .577-450 Martini are the best deal going for both calibers...
Under $100, when any other make wants 4-8 months and your first born male issue (and $300+) for a set of dies.

If Lee is still making them, buy a set.  They're typical Lee (not exactly perfect, but adequate), but you won't find another set of dies that are affordable.

Hope this helps.
Paul F.

The first one I ever fired kicked like an angry mule... but there are two points to be considered;
1) I don't know that the gentleman who loaded it was adhering to sane pressures, and
2) There's no guarantee that I had it on the right spot in my shoulder 

Now that I own one, the mighty whallop I remember isn't there... (I've at least learned where to put it on my shoulder!).

I'm looking forward to when I have time to properly develop an accurate load... and to being able to afford more brass

Paul F.

Don't know on the stock..
But for .577-450, you can form it from Magtech 24ga shotgun brass for LOW PRESSURE loads...  For "regular" loads, you want the $3.50 each stuff.

Take lots of "beginning" "middle" and "finished" pics of the "project" Martini!

I've been tempted myself.. but I already HAVE one! 
I was REALLY tempted to buy one of the Sniders and build a sporter on it... but I keep running out of money or coming to my senses...

Paul F.

The  Martini  Handbook is a great book.  Page 36 is an awesome piece of research.

Be sure to slug the Gahendra bore.  Don't use  the  Martini .468- .470 diameter bullets they are way large.  Most  Gahendra's are under .464, mostly under.