Author Topic: New barrel for Enfield No. 1 MK III (Read 1222 times)

Irelander · « **on:** March 21, 2006, 03:14:43 AM »

I have an old 1917 Enfield .303 rifle. It has the original stock but it has been cut down for sporterizing. My dad bought the gun when he was a kid for $9.00. Now I have it and I would like to make a shooter out of it. I think the barrel is shot though. The rifling at the muzzel is very thin and rough. I was wondering if any of you have ever rebarreled an Enfield? If I decide to have it rebarrelled what other rounds could I get this gun barrelled in? It would be nice to have it in a .308 but will the No. 1 Mk III action handle the pressure of the .308? I also need a scope mount.

EVOC ONE · « **Reply #1 on:** March 21, 2006, 05:22:09 AM »

I would shoot it first to find out if the accuracy is truly effected. If the barrel does need to be replaced, I would contact Springfield Sporters.

As far as it being capable of handling the .308. I believe the 7.62 NATO versions built in the 1960's were made off the No 1 Mk III actions.

Good Luck!

EVOC ONE

Irelander · « **Reply #2 on:** March 21, 2006, 07:23:19 AM »

I just went home for lunch and took a look at my Enfield. The metal piece under the bolt handle reads:

GR
BSA Co.
1916
SHT L.E.

The action ring is stamped: "ENGLAND".

I need to get a nice stock for this gun before I test for accuracy. The rear of the stock is wobbly on the action. I tried to tighten the stock screw but it won't tighten at all. Can anyone suggest a good synthetic stock?

kevin.303 · « **Reply #3 on:** March 21, 2006, 08:53:36 AM »

you cannot safely convert a No.1 Mk 3 to .308 Winchester. No.4's have been safely converted by the British Army and the DCRA to .308 but no No.1's. the Indians made a No.2A1, which looks like a No.1 Mk 3 but has a square bottomed magazine. these where not conversions but new manufactured rifles utilizing a much stronger steel then the originals.if you wanted a true .308 caliber Lee your best bet is to convert it to .30-40 Krag.

Mikey · « **Reply #4 on:** March 21, 2006, 09:12:57 AM »

Irelander: there is a bit of confusion here. You said the rifle was a 1917 Enfield in 303 British caliber but the markings under the bolt indicate it is a No3 Mk1 Short Magazine Lee Enfield (SMLE) made by Birmingham Small Arms in 1916. The later rifle, the SMLE, can not be safely converted to the 308 Nato cartridge. However, ya really ain't missin' anything with keeping it in 303..........

I would give the barrel possibly the best scrubbing it has ever had and then take a real good look at the enitre length of the barrel. The rifling in modern rifles looks pretty thin and for an old warhorse there may be some pitting but this may not affect the accuracy of the rifle much. Clean her up and shoot it and see how she does - she may be fine for you as she is. HTH. Mikey.

Mikey · « **Reply #5 on:** March 21, 2006, 09:13:59 AM »

No1 Mk3. Sorry. Mikey.

EVOC ONE · « **Reply #6 on:** March 21, 2006, 11:59:35 AM »

Thank you kevin303 for providing the correct information. I stand corrected.

I remembered that the No2A1 had the round receiver and mistakingly identified it as a No1MkIII.

Good job!

EVOC ONE

S.S. · « **Reply #7 on:** March 23, 2006, 05:42:48 AM »

Take the stock screw out and see if you can get a couple of washers
to slide down on it to act as spacers and re-assemble. This should take the play out of the stock.

ibfestus · « **Reply #8 on:** April 06, 2006, 06:37:02 PM »

The rifle you have is probably best kept as a momento. The cost of a rebarrel is more than the guns value unless you can come up with a better military barrel somewhere. Anyway the British .303 is a fine caliber and has taken more Canadian deer, elk, and moose than probably any other. Just my $.02. :-)

351 power · « **Reply #9 on:** April 24, 2006, 06:03:37 AM »

i just got a Ramline stock for my #4 mk1. easy to install, free floated barrel as sent. 65.00 and tax. i like the looks and feel of it