MR.MILSURP
Inactive
good thread but worth reviving-the No.4 Mk.1 is stronger than the No.1 Mk.III
yes, there was a 308 conversion kit available in the UK back in the 1960's, for the No.4 and No.5
the SMLE rifles have a fast, short throw bolt, and large 10 round clip, but from the strength/accuracy standpoint, leave much to be desired.
1. the stock is 2 piece, not conducive to accuracy- at one time there were custom 1-piece SMLE stocks available, that covered the steel butt socket- but that was a long time ago 1960's.
2. the fore end is a loose fit on the barreled action, you can grab the barrel and move it all around in the stock- a complete 'glas bedding is required, otherwise the guns suffer from a "wandering zero"- will shoot high to the left progressively more, as the barrel gets hots and moves
3. the bolt is a rear locking lug design, similar to a Remington 788, or lever action Winchester, Marlin, Savage- it is weaker than the Mauser front locking design. The top locking lug on an SMLE actually locks into the rear receiver bridge area-this design is prone to bolt and locking lug compression with successive firings, creating excessive headspace. This is why No. 4 guns had (4) different bolt heads to adjust headspace, numbered 0-1-2-3. A Mauser locks into the receiver ring collar and is much stronger. SMLE chambers are also on the loose side, actually very sloppy.
4. The SMLE is an ancient design, Lee originally started the prototype in 1879. By 1910 the Brits were already considering a Mauser type action to replace it, which led to the Enfield Pattern 14 and Pattern 17 rifles. They stayed with the SMLE because it got the job done, and they were already tooled up for it.
5. the 303 is a rimmed cartridge, an 1800's headspacing method which is generally inferior to a nonrimmed cartridge that headspaces on the shoulder angle, like the 30-06 family
the best you could do with an SMLE is 'glas bed the fore end, and have the barrel turned back 1-2 threads, then rechambered so the chamber is tight clearance on the shell. Start with a "0" bolt head, so you can adjust in the future with the "1-2-3" bolt heads, .006" at a time as the headspace opens up over time. Have the muzzle recrowned. If you are crafty enough, make a new one piece stock- find a vintage one piece stock- or buy an aftermarket synthetic 2-piece stock. Another possibility is rechamber it to 244, 257, or 264 wildcat on the 303 case. The 24-25-26 cal. wildcats would pick up some free velocity due to the lighter bullet weight, and flatten the trajectory.
The SMLE shares the same limitations as the Remington 788 with its rear locking lugs. Not as strong as a front locking bolt, but not quite as weak as a lever action w/rear locking bolt/breech. Let's face it, the 303 cartridge and SMLE action is an ancient design from the 1800's blackpowder era.
having said all this, I own 3 of them, and like the guns. there's much to be said for the 10 round removable magazine and high rate of fire- under 200 yards they worked as good, or better, than any. They are not a 500-1000 yard sniper rifle platform, not without a LOT of work.
yes, there was a 308 conversion kit available in the UK back in the 1960's, for the No.4 and No.5
the SMLE rifles have a fast, short throw bolt, and large 10 round clip, but from the strength/accuracy standpoint, leave much to be desired.
1. the stock is 2 piece, not conducive to accuracy- at one time there were custom 1-piece SMLE stocks available, that covered the steel butt socket- but that was a long time ago 1960's.
2. the fore end is a loose fit on the barreled action, you can grab the barrel and move it all around in the stock- a complete 'glas bedding is required, otherwise the guns suffer from a "wandering zero"- will shoot high to the left progressively more, as the barrel gets hots and moves
3. the bolt is a rear locking lug design, similar to a Remington 788, or lever action Winchester, Marlin, Savage- it is weaker than the Mauser front locking design. The top locking lug on an SMLE actually locks into the rear receiver bridge area-this design is prone to bolt and locking lug compression with successive firings, creating excessive headspace. This is why No. 4 guns had (4) different bolt heads to adjust headspace, numbered 0-1-2-3. A Mauser locks into the receiver ring collar and is much stronger. SMLE chambers are also on the loose side, actually very sloppy.
4. The SMLE is an ancient design, Lee originally started the prototype in 1879. By 1910 the Brits were already considering a Mauser type action to replace it, which led to the Enfield Pattern 14 and Pattern 17 rifles. They stayed with the SMLE because it got the job done, and they were already tooled up for it.
5. the 303 is a rimmed cartridge, an 1800's headspacing method which is generally inferior to a nonrimmed cartridge that headspaces on the shoulder angle, like the 30-06 family
the best you could do with an SMLE is 'glas bed the fore end, and have the barrel turned back 1-2 threads, then rechambered so the chamber is tight clearance on the shell. Start with a "0" bolt head, so you can adjust in the future with the "1-2-3" bolt heads, .006" at a time as the headspace opens up over time. Have the muzzle recrowned. If you are crafty enough, make a new one piece stock- find a vintage one piece stock- or buy an aftermarket synthetic 2-piece stock. Another possibility is rechamber it to 244, 257, or 264 wildcat on the 303 case. The 24-25-26 cal. wildcats would pick up some free velocity due to the lighter bullet weight, and flatten the trajectory.
The SMLE shares the same limitations as the Remington 788 with its rear locking lugs. Not as strong as a front locking bolt, but not quite as weak as a lever action w/rear locking bolt/breech. Let's face it, the 303 cartridge and SMLE action is an ancient design from the 1800's blackpowder era.
having said all this, I own 3 of them, and like the guns. there's much to be said for the 10 round removable magazine and high rate of fire- under 200 yards they worked as good, or better, than any. They are not a 500-1000 yard sniper rifle platform, not without a LOT of work.
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