Author Topic: enfield actions (Read 1224 times)

kevin.303 · « **on:** February 20, 2003, 06:05:11 AM »

i'm just getting started in the world of gunsmithing and am interested in building my self a custom rifle. i was thinking .338 or .358 norma on an enfield action. i know a few guys who have done this pattern 14 enfields because they can take high pressure loads. would this also be possiable to do with a No.1 Mk3(SMLE) ?

John Traveler · « **Reply #1 on:** February 20, 2003, 08:15:26 AM »

Kevin,

All those sporterized rifles you've heard about were on the "magnum" length P14 or US M1917 "Enfield" actions. It is ideal for the magnum-length large bore cartridges and plenty strong enough for hot handloads.

NO, the No. 1 MkIII is NOT suited for anything other than .303-class cartridges and pressures. It was not designed for, and will not be satisfactory with the belted big bore magnums. I've heard of sucessfull rebarreling to .348 Winchester, but even that is a pretty powerful cartridge for the Lee-Enfield action.

gunnut69 · « **Reply #2 on:** February 20, 2003, 02:56:02 PM »

It would be possible to barrel these rifles to 45/70 or perhaps 40/65 as long as one stays within pressure limits for the 303 class rounds. This conversion is being done commercially now and would be feasible. There would be some length limits imposed by the action but should be surmountable. Magazine conversion would be the most problematic.. Fortunately spares are available for the Enfields and are reasonably priced so failure can be retried...should it occur.. good luck from the gunnut69

Mikey · « **Reply #3 on:** February 21, 2003, 09:28:48 AM »

Kevin: John is correct in that the 'Enfield' action referred to in this case is NOT the SMLE #1 MkIII or the Mk I #4, it is either the P-14 or the P-17 action which was chambered for either the 303 Brit or the 30-06.

With the P-14 action, you can rebarrel to larger, heavier rimmed cartridges as the P-14 bolt was designed for the rimmed 303 Brit. The P-17 bolt was designed for the rimless 30-06.

Gunnut is also correct in that the SMLE actions, and in particular the Mk I #4, the latest version in 303, have been rebarrelled to the 45-70 and the 45-90. Gibbs Firearms produces these rifles and they were advertised in my last Shotgun News. These actions can also be chambered in the 45-90 and both the 45-70 and the 45-90 operate within the same pressure ranges as the 303 Brit.

The major pain with thse conversions, before Gibbs figured it out, was how to make the original double stack magazine feed the cartridges from a single stack conversion and this problem has been written up in articles from the 60s and 70s when this was first tried.

If you want to build a custom rifle in either of the calibers you mentioned, select either a P-14 or a P-17 action depending on your case design. I also saw these actions for sale in my alstest Shotgun News, so they are available. But, if you are going to start a project for a custom rifle, why not consider a Mauser action????? Mikey here to confuse ya.

kevin.303 · « **Reply #4 on:** February 22, 2003, 08:03:51 AM »

my reasoning for the considering the enfield action was that a friend of mine is selling me about 6 or 7 for $20 each. they are mostly parts guns that don't shoot staight but at least 2 of them will hit where aimed and all of them are complete. don't mausers usauly sell for higher price because people want them for projects? and what about other milsurp's such as Mosin-Nagent's or arisaka's? maybe not for the high powered calibers but something to practice with