smle conversion?

O

overanalytical

Inactive
Anybody have thoughts on a straight walled cartridge that would be good for smle conversion? 1.8 inches or under case length and 35 cal or larger. Thanks!
 
The "1.8 inches or under case length" makes it difficult. .44 Magnum maybe? The rim diameter is a little smaller, but I bet it would work without modifying the bolt face.
 
Thanks for the replies! I am thinking for a deer gun for my dad. My best friend is a gunsmith and he is currently making a 357 maximum for me from a Mauser bolt action. I belive it was originally 7.62x39, but I could be mistaken. Perhaps there is a cartridge that would fit the bill if the case length is cut down? Have any of you guys done a conversion similar to the cartridges mentioned?
 
45-70 needs the front end opening slightly from memory. Not sure about .444Marlin, so that may be a deciding factor even though both have been done a lot.
 
Haven't done it, but the .445 supermag looks like it makes the most sense. case head and rim are pretty close to the size of the .303 that it would probably work without modifying the bolt.

Might be a pain to get it to work through the SMLE magazine, and not sure of magazine capacity rules for hunting in your area, but it is something to be aware of.

On edit: The .45-70 and .444 Marlin are both over his stated max case length of 1.8"
 
Anybody have thoughts on a straight walled cartridge that would be good for smle conversion? 1.8 inches or under case length and 35 cal or larger. Thanks!
Click to expand...

The 303 Brit is an outstanding cartridge and considering the action and the function uncertainties with conversions, you are better off leaving a SMLE in the original cartridge.

That Gibbs conversion was on the No 4 action. A SMLE is a No 1 MkIII and that action is weaker than a No 4. Neither action is all that strong. A No 4 is unsuitable for conversion to 308 Win, even though there have been conversions, but there are so many warnings about bullets, not shooting in the rain, that the 308 is beyond the action design margins.

I think Frank de Haas http://www.amazon.com/Bolt-Action-Rifles-Expanded-Edition/dp/0873491688 gave a list of suitable cartridges, but considering how few examples I have ever seen (zero) I would stay with the 303 Brit.
 
The OP didn't say so, but now that I think on it, isn't "a straight wall case 1.8" or less" a game law restriction somewhere? (in the Midwest, maybe??)

That would be the only reason I can think of for the requirement the OP is looking for. If it were just for performance, a longer case would have more potential.
 
Out of curiosity, why are you limiting case length to 1.8" in a Lee-Enfield?

While on the subject, does anybody make a ready-to-install barrel for the .444 Marlin?
 
there are so many warnings about bullets, not shooting in the rain
Click to expand...

Huh? Can you explain that a bit more.
Click to expand...

http://www.milsurps.com/showthread.php?t=20339

This is the current stance of the British NRA safety warning which first appeared in the Summer 2009 NRA Journal:

Safety Notice
Enfield No 4 Rifle Conversions to 7.62mm

A safety warning concerning the use of Enfield No 4 Rifle actions converted to 7.62mm was published in the Summer Journal.

After further consideration of all factors influencing safety of these conversions and consultation with the Birmingham Proof Master, the following advice must be adhered to in respect of the use of Enfield No 4 conversions:

• Owners of Enfield No 4 actioned rifles converted to 7.62mm currently proofed to 19 tons per square inch are strongly advised to have them re-proofed to the current CIP standard (requiring a minimum mean proof pressure of 5190 bar) which allows the use of CIP approved ammunition with a Maximum Average Working Pressure (MAWP) of 4150 Bar.
• Conversions retaining their original Enfield barrel or a replacement barrel as manufactured by RSAF Enfield are safe to use with commercial CIP approved ammunition, which complies with a MAWP of 4150 bar, loaded with any weight of bullet, providing they carry a valid proof mark, and are still in the same condition as when submitted for proof.
• Conversions fitted with any other make of barrel (such as Ferlach, Maddco, Krieger etc) should be checked by a competent gunsmith to determine the throat diameter of the chamber/barrel fitted before use.
• Conversions where the throat diameter is less than the CIP specification of 0.311” but not smaller than 0.3085” must not be used with ammunition which exceeds 3650 Bar MAWP when fired in a SAAMI/CIP pressure barrel.
• Conversions which have been checked and found to comply with Rule 150 may safely be used with any ammunition supplied by the NRA including the 155 grain Radway Green Cartridge, 155 grain RUAG Cartridge or any other commercial CIP Approved cartridges loaded with bullets of any weight provided that the ammunition pressure does not exceed 3650 Bar when measured in a CIP standard barrel.
• Owners of Enfield No 4 actioned rifles converted to 7.62mm who are uncertain as to the proof status of the rifle should have it checked by a competent gunsmith.
• Owners of Enfield No 4 actioned rifles in any calibre are strongly advised not to use them in wet weather or without removing all traces of oil from action and chamber prior to shooting.
• Enfield No 4 rifles which are fitted with a barrel which has a throat diameter less than 0.3085” must not be used on Bisley Ranges.
• Ammunition loaded with bullets of any weight which are of greater diameter than the throat diameter of the barrel must not under any circumstances be used on Bisley Ranges in any rifle or barrel of any manufacture.
Click to expand...
 
That is talking about "conversions", meaning a rifle that started out as .303 British, but was made into a .308?

Or are they talking about all .308 Enfields, including the Ishapore 2A/2A1 models that were .308 from the beginning?
 
As far as I know it was conversions specifically.
As for the "firing in the rain" why on earth would rain make a difference? Is there some difference produced by humidity or what?

The linked thread is pretty contentious about whether or not the UK NRA is doing a huge CYA or its an actual concern.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top