Convert handi to 303 brit.

[spikehorn]

 What would be a good choice to convert to 303 brit.? Could I ream out a 30-30, or would a bore job on a 270 be a better idea because of the 26 inch barrel length? Thanks for any & all of your input !

[quickdtoo]

7.62x39 would be ideal, anything else would require a rebore as well as a rechamber, the 22 hornet, 223 or 22-250 would be the only other viable options for that, a .308" bore won't clean up enough to .311"-.312", but you may be able to shoot .308" bullets in it instead using a rechambered 22" 30-30 barrel. The 26" 25-06 and 280 chambers are longer than the 303, so they aren't an option, so you're stuck with 22" or 24" barrels.

Tim

http://stevespages.com/page8d.htm

[kennyd]

Unless you have a particular love for the .303, how about a 30-40.  The cartridges are nearly identical ballististically.  Then you could use any of the .30 barrels that have a case small enough to rechamber.  Reboring and rechambering for a lackluster performer is a lot of money spent.

[spikehorn]

 I already have a 1945 long branch Mk4 No1 and at least in that rifle it is not a lack luster performer. It was sporterized when i got it for $80 and put a $29 no gun smithing scope rail with a bushnell 3-9x40 and it shoots sub moa. I just happen to really like the 303 brit. and would like one in a handi.
 I forgot about about the 303 being a .311-.312 More of a project than anything else, and unless i want to shoot the SMLE single shot I can't hunt deer with it in new york because of the 10 shot magazine.

[mike@nds]

There are commercial 5 round mags floating around for the Lee Enfield rifles.

They were made by a company that did sporters back in the 50's and 60's.

Or you could go this route:

http://www.303british.com/id34.html

[Lefty Dude]

30-40 Krag or a Winchester .307 are both true 30 cal., much better bullet selection.

Are you a Canadian ? They like the .303's

[maglvr44]

  I can't hunt deer with it in new york because of the 10 shot magazine.

If you look closely at your NYS regs manual I think you will see that only applies to semi auto rifles not bolts.

[myarmor]

I am not personally a big fan of the 303, but it's been well proven, much as our 30-06. The 30-06 has an good advantage, but if some one wants a 303 then I say more power to them. A 303 chambered to shoot .308 bullets has a nice versitility, much more than a .310 or .312

I would go for a 30-30 barrel if you can get a sizer die to fit.  But try it out first.. you might not want to ream it out afterwards




-Aaron

[spikehorn]

  no the last time i checked I wasn't canadian. I will double check the regs manual but i do know that it also states that the magazine cannot be altered to hold 5. Its not really one of those I need things its more of an I want thing which is part of the whole handi holicism thing is it not?  By the way my next accusition is going to be a 30-30!

[PHATINJUN]

Nothing wrong with wanting the Brit but if you can't do it with the Brit rifling left hand twist or the .310-312 bore it's really not a Brit .JMHO but you could have Larry do you a stub with a Brit bbl. My Brit bbl stub is a .32H&R mag I guess mine doesn't make much sence either  but it's a hoot to shoot. Kurt

[spikehorn]

 ya know i've heard viciuos rumors that the left hand rifling only works well below the equator.(LOL) at this point im leaning toward the suggestion of reaming out a 7.62X39.

[quickdtoo]

Good luck finding a 7.62x39, finding someone that wants to part with them is not easy, H&R only made them for a few months and discontinued them. 

Tim

[workin man]

There are a fair number of bullets in 0.311 and 0.312 to choose from, including the 150gr TSX.  Handloading for a handi you could probably load a bit hotter than you could for a No1, No4 or No5 Lee Enfield ( P14's and Ross rifles are stronger, but less common so factory loads are a bit light, similar to the way factory 45-70 loads are). Then there is also the 303 Epps Improved (similar to Ackley Improved, but developed by Ellwood Epps), which provides ballistics similar to 308 Win. I think  a 303 Brit Handi would be pretty cool, but I am Canadian.

Jim

BTW Epps is still in business, and still does chambers for the Epps Improved.  They might be able to set you up with a barrel for a stub project like PhatInjun mentioned

[spikehorn]

 i read a little bit on another thread about a 9mm stub project but am not sure what all is invloved with that? The dicks sporting goods near me has one of the heavy bbl 223s with the camo stocks could do a rebore on that. I knew the 7.62X39's didn't stay around long but if I was to happen upon one.

[myarmor]

If I am not mistaken the 7.62x39 Handi barrels were .308 weren't they?

[quickdtoo]

Nope, .310". There was a lot of speculation on what they were going to be back in 2005, but I think Mac called and asked about them, but I didn't find it in the search, numbers don't work very well in the search for some reason. I found reference to .308" before it was in production tho. Maybe someone that actually has one will slug it for us. 

Tim


Edit:

I found this in the FAQs!! 

http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums//index.php/topic,99547.0.html

[PHATINJUN]

Mine slugged .310-.311 .313 cast bullets worked well but the .311 Sierra work the best in 125 and 150gr prohunter, .308 do not work well at all the 174gr .3105 may do well but I have not tried them yet. Kurt

[Bladeforger]

Even though it's kinda been said, I'll say it another way.  In defense of the 303 British:  The 303 British has taken more big game worldwide than any other cartridge.  At least that was true a few years ago.  If it has been displaced by another cartridge since then, please feel free to correct me.

[kennyd]

I didn't mean to demean the .303.  There are lots of medium performing old military cartridges around, and if you put one in a rifle, didn't tell another shooter which it is, you would be hard pressed to know what it was by the performance.  I have by BIL's 1912 that I shoot once in a while, and load for.  I still think the money is too much given that you need a new chamber AND bore.  Using 2 different bullet diameters would get real confusing.  As for the amount of game taken:  there are .303's all around the world in the old Brit Empire, so you use what you can get.