Has anyone thought of doing this???? Comments please!!

[kyelkhunter3006]

With all of the talk in the NEF forum of rechambers, rebores, etc, has anyone thought about taking the Rossi in 7.62x39 and re-chambering it to .303 British?   I'm a fan of the old Brit because my grandfather is English, lived in Africa for quite a while, and had tons of stories about hunting with the .303.  The bug bit me, and I've had several Enfield sporters, but I have always wanted a single shot in .303.    I know that the classic solution would be to re-barrel a Ruger #1, and I do plan on doing that sometime in the future.  Right now, it ain't in the finances.  Would the logistics of rechambering a Rossi be worth the result?  Also, can anybody recommend a gunsmith that would do the work?  Thanks sooooo much in advance for any advice you've got.

[iiranger]

The Ruger single shot as model #3 was available in .30/40 Krag at one time. You would probably be better served by looking for one of these than the re chamber you propose. Cartridge awful close to .303... Plenty strong...

In the old days when these single shots were only available as shotguns, up grading to rifle cartridges was a no-no 'cause the rifle cartridges almost all worked at pressure much higher than the shotgun. 15K LUP vs. 35K CUP for rifles and up... Today the single shots are available in some hot rounds. Even .270 WCF. That should hold any reasonable .303 load... Still... lot of money for the barrel and re chamber... When you can buy a .30/40 and shoot .303 in it???

Another option, but I cannot guess the costs involved, 303British.com has links to United Kingdom rifles for sale. There seems to be a fair supply of the Martini Henry that were surplused in .303 (originally loaded with black powder!!!)...

I suspect what you suggest might be doable and fairly safe. Gunsmith will be final say there with liability what it is. benchrest.com has the top flight 'smiths, but long waits for the best work. Asking at gun clubs can find you the basement boys who are almost as good and a lot quicker... Worth it? 7.62x39 will push the 125 grain bullets at around 2500 fps. .303 Brith can push the 180 grain bullets to around 2500 (non p14)... You need the extra power?  luck

[Drugstore Cowboy]

I was able to find a #3 in 30/40 10 years ago and it shoots welll. Grewup with an Enfield and will telll you the 2 are close. I keep want to take a gun and rechamber/rebore; it not cheap. Try to find and acceptable gun with a cartridge you're able to live with. Not a good answer but I hope it would have results sooner. 

[billy_56081]

  I beleive that would work very well. As would a handi rifle if you can find one in that caliber. Either should be plenty strong. There was a smith with a rechamber special on the NEF forum a while back I'm sure he could do the same on a rossi. Quicktoo should be able to lead you to him. i think you"ll have one heck of a neat gun when your done.