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Author Topic: Enfield .303 two groove barrel  (Read 2342 times)

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Offline coyotejoe

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Enfield .303 two groove barrel
« on: January 10, 2010, 05:43:01 AM »
I just acquired an old .303 number 4, I think. It was sporterized to take a one piece stock. The metal work is all very good professional quality, unfortunately the stock is the most amateurish hack job I've ever seen and has subsequently been further damaged. Since they cut off the buttstock socket where most info is generally stamped, I have no idea when or where it was built, nor who did the sporterize job. But it does have a very odd looking two groove barrel, just two very narrow grooves, leaving the bore about 90% land. The bore cleaned up nice and bright after much scrubbing. Who would have made such a barrel? ???
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Offline mtdotcomm

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Re: Enfield .303 two groove barrel
« Reply #1 on: January 10, 2010, 06:32:43 AM »
Interesting, Stratton's book on Enfields states they tested rifling patterns up to six grooves. The records for these are not clear to what manufacture used what. Normaly a left hand twist, some Savage barrels had a right hand twist. How long is the barrel ?
Got any pics ??
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Offline bubba.50

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Re: Enfield .303 two groove barrel
« Reply #2 on: January 10, 2010, 07:48:16 AM »
most if not all of the no.4s made in canada had two groove barrels. look on the side of the receiver opposite the bolt handle and see if it says longbranch as that was the canadian manufacturer(if they didn't grind that off too). have had a couple and they shot good. have heard that a lot of enfields had oversize bores but none of the ones i've had seemed to have that problem so can't say for sure. just something to keep in mind. good luck with your gun and good shootin', bubba.
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Offline coyotejoe

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Re: Enfield .303 two groove barrel
« Reply #3 on: January 10, 2010, 11:16:23 AM »
Thanks guys! No it seems like most of the markings on the receiver were lost. I removed the Weaver side mount base and under it I found stamped what looks like "5-v2-4 msi*", means nothing to me. Someone on another site said the Savage made rifles had 2 groove barrels but Frank DeHaus in his book "bolt action rifles" said the Savages had 6 grooves, so it's still a quandary.
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Offline Mikey

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Re: Enfield .303 two groove barrel
« Reply #4 on: January 11, 2010, 01:26:22 AM »
I have a 1942 Savage made US Property marked two groove No4 Mk1.  It is possible the barrels for the Savage made rifles were cut in Canada.  I have another No4 Mk1 with a 6 groove barrel.  My No1 Mk3 has a 4 groove barrel. 

Each is a great shooter. 

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Offline bubba.50

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Re: Enfield .303 two groove barrel
« Reply #5 on: January 11, 2010, 08:57:12 AM »
as mikey stated-the savage made no4's were marked u.s.property and this was stamped pretty deeply on the beveled edge on the left side of the receiver where it most likely would have escaped the grinder. for what it's worth, bubba.
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Offline coyotejoe

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Re: Enfield .303 two groove barrel
« Reply #6 on: January 12, 2010, 05:42:57 AM »
Well the only marks I've found are that 5-v2-4-MSI * on the left and BNP with a crown or trident on top center of the receiver ring. I guess it don't really matter who made it since it's something else now.
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Offline mtdotcomm

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Re: Enfield .303 two groove barrel
« Reply #7 on: January 12, 2010, 12:25:15 PM »
How-Do
The 5 is an S. What it reads is S No4 Mk I* (the o in No is stamped with a line under it, thats why after all these years it looks like a 2).  The S stands for Savage.  Part of the lend lease program, made in the USA by Savage. No4 Mk I rifle. The asterisk identifies the type of bolt release.
The BNP w/crown, based on where it is stamped is a Issuance and Ownership marking.
What a great mod. There a buttugly rifle originaly, but great shooters. ;D
I have two No4 MkI*s, both Long Branch. A blast to shoot and easy to load for. no pun intended :-[
Thanks for posting the images.
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Offline coyotejoe

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Re: Enfield .303 two groove barrel
« Reply #8 on: January 12, 2010, 01:09:00 PM »
OK, that all fits then!  Thank you very much, I knew I'd get some help here!
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Offline Victor3

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Re: Enfield .303 two groove barrel
« Reply #9 on: January 13, 2010, 11:33:28 PM »
Quote from: bubba.50 on January 10, 2010, 07:48:16 AM
most if not all of the no.4s made in canada had two groove barrels...have heard that a lot of enfields had oversize bores...

 A friend of mine had a No. 4 (I can't remember where it was made) 2 groove that key-holed with whatever milsurp ammo we were shooting at the time. His research on that particular make indicated that they were known for oversize bores. He was planning on slugging the barrel but I don't know if he ever did or not. It had a fair looking bore, so I don't think it was a problem caused by corrosion.
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Offline coyotejoe

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Re: Enfield .303 two groove barrel
« Reply #10 on: January 15, 2010, 03:46:39 AM »
Mine slugs .303/.315". The bore looks very good after several days of scrubbing. Those very narrow and deep grooves seem to trap a lot of crud, I think I have it clean but then an over night soak with a foaming bore cleaner brings out a lot more copper and crud.
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Offline madcratebuilder

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Re: Enfield .303 two groove barrel
« Reply #11 on: January 15, 2010, 09:10:43 AM »
LB, Savage and Maltby all made a lot of two groove barrels.  Interesting sporter.  Someone did a lot of work to cut the wrist and weld a tang on it.  Looks nice.  You need to post that on a few of the purest forums and watch the fire works ;D
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Offline coyotejoe

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Re: Enfield .303 two groove barrel
« Reply #12 on: January 15, 2010, 11:06:58 AM »
What? This is not a purest forum?  I'm shocked! ::)
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Offline Mikey

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Re: Enfield .303 two groove barrel
« Reply #13 on: January 15, 2010, 02:41:16 PM »
Aw nutz, unpure!  Dang!
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Offline spikehorn

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Re: Enfield .303 two groove barrel
« Reply #14 on: January 24, 2010, 08:34:39 AM »
It was my understanding that the 2 grove barrels were made nearer to the end of WWII for faster production. Now I'm curious I have a 1942 longbranch gunna go see how many grooves it has. Mine was bubbaized also yours is a much nicer job than mine, but given the fact that mine shoots sub MOA I can't complain about how it looks
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Offline madcratebuilder

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Re: Enfield .303 two groove barrel
« Reply #15 on: January 31, 2010, 02:53:12 PM »
A savage well have u.s.property deeply stamped on the left side at the top of the receiver.  This is very deep, it well not wear off.  Look for a letter or number stamped on the trigger group parts.  The Enfield has 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 groove barrels, 2 groove were war time expedient and started in 1941.  Savage had a 1-10.5 twist, all other had 1-10 twist.  Some Long branches had right hand twist all other left hand.  2 groove barrels are as accurate as any.

typical Savage marking.
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