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1isenough
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Martini Cadet-deepening the loading groove
Jul 19th, 2021 at 6:35pm
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I have read numerous posts over the years about "grinding" the groove of a Martini small action deeper to give it the ability to chamber longer cartridges.  I want to do this for a 35-30 project I am working on, but have no idea what machines/tools are involved, and how the groove is "ground".  Anyone have a clue?  Know anyone who does this?

Any info is much appreciated.  Thanks.
  
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n.r.davis
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Re: Martini Cadet-deepening the loading groove
Reply #1 - Jul 19th, 2021 at 6:59pm
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No machines are necessary.  Speaking from experience on doing a 357 Max   
With the Chambered Barrel in place, try a case.  It should go in a bit.  Now for the fun, take a Magic Marker or Machinist Dykim and coat the Groove.  Try to feed the round and see where the marking has been rubbed.  I used a 3/4" grinding stone by hand to remove the marked area.  And then do it all over again. I found that it was the outside edges that needed opening up rather than the depth.  Took me about 3 hours, surprised me, to get the case to feed.  But then again what else is there to do on a Cold Winters Night in the middle of God's Country.
Good luck,. David
  
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MI-shooter
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Re: Martini Cadet-deepening the loading groove
Reply #2 - Jul 19th, 2021 at 9:41pm
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I would advise against deepening the groove. The thickness between where the spring is and the bottom of the groove is quite thin. Widening the groove is possible for rim clearance.

MI-shooter
  
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JLouis
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Re: Martini Cadet-deepening the loading groove
Reply #3 - Jul 19th, 2021 at 10:36pm
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Myself and only if enough there is enough room to do such a task. I would use the appropriate sized ball end mill and only after having it completely indexed correctly. In a mill vise while also doing the work on a mill. We are now the care takers for some if not all of these old per-say rifles To me if not doing it completely right one would no longer be the right care taker for such rifles.
  

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MartiniBelgian
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Re: Martini Cadet-deepening the loading groove
Reply #4 - Jul 20th, 2021 at 2:05am
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Don't forget the block is the main 'locking lug' on the Martini action, you're weakening it if you're removing too much metal.
  
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Barrabruce
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Re: Martini Cadet-deepening the loading groove
Reply #5 - Jul 20th, 2021 at 6:50am
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Could try taking some off the rim diameter and see if that works first.
  
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1isenough
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Re: Martini Cadet-deepening the loading groove
Reply #6 - Jul 20th, 2021 at 10:30pm
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Thanks all.  I used layout fluid to find the contact points and a used 1/2" grinding point with a dremel and it did the trick.  Just lucky the used point fit the groove perfectly. As some suggested, the rim clearance was the principal issue so very little was removed from the bottom of the groove.  Polished it up and it looks pretty nice.  Now to load some cartridges and get to the range.
  
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n.r.davis
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Re: Martini Cadet-deepening the loading groove
Reply #7 - Jul 20th, 2021 at 10:43pm
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Way to go👍🏻
  
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