Light magnum for my smelly

[SeaBass]

Anyone know if Hornady light magnum .303 ammo is safe for SMLE 1 MK III enfields?

[Mikey]

They certainly should be.  The vast majority of 303 British caliber rifles out there are the SMLEs, whether the #1 Mks or the #4 Mks.  Also, that light magnum loading carries the 150 gn bullet and, I believe, is loaded to what you can get that bullet with data from some of the older loading manuals.  Some of the newer powders on the market today can give you significant increases in velocity with necessarily giving you the same degree of increase in pressures.  Mikey.

[SeaBass]

Thanks Mikey.  Looks like that's the case.  Better powder, Higher velocity,  Standard pressure.  Gotta love that!

[1911crazy]

Mikey isn't one of the britt's converted to 45/70??  I'm not sure of the breech pressure because straight cases do have less but that is a pretty good round for a britt they must be a strong action.  I have to add the britt's are the fastest/smoothest bolt actions I have ever used.   BigBill

[Mikey]

BigBill:  Yes!  Gibbs and Company have converted the SMLE #4 Mk1 from the origianl 303 British Caliber to the 45-70.  They seemed to have worked out the magazine feeding problems you would expect from such a conversion but I haven't heard anyone talk about theirs yet.  There was even a fella in England who converted his old warhorse to a 45-90 (same pressure range).

Lots of folk like us think they would be great guns in the field and anywhere else but I don't know how many fellas have them or what they think of them or how they shoot.  

The pressures of the 45-70 and the 303 British are just about the same and you can convert the #4 MK1 without running into pressure problems if you use the loading data for the 45-70 Government.  Yep, those Brits are one smooth, quick handling action.  

Now BigBill - since you have done your own rebarrelling, you could prolly convert a SMLE to 45-70.  Of course, if you convert one to 444, you would have to use a 24-26 inch bbl with a 1:20 twist, and then I would hafta buy it from you, but only after a couple of samwichs, a good Bigfoot chase (tough to get them to pose for a family photo I hear - unless we get my seester involved) and a trip to Dudleytown............  With Mikey you get more in 2004.    Mikey.

[1911crazy]

Mikey my cousin always bragged how good his 303 britt was and you just never know till you play with one.  I found my  No.4  Mk1 sitting in a pawn shop in excellent condition I just couldn't pass it up lastyear.  I have seen Gibbs Rifles in a local gun shop here I think it was the chromed jungle model in 308.    All their rifles are reasonably priced too even the big 45/70.                                                           BigBill

My youngest son is interested in surplups too now he finally is starting  realize it maybe  fun to shoot paper at the range.  He just got a paintball gun and he's looking at the bigger boys toys now.(us with surplups) I setup his paintball gun with a shotgun scope you know the large view with the red dot??  He's starting to chop at the bit to go now.  He doesn't want to hunt and thats ok so i told him to come and put some holes in paper targets?  My oldest son is having a blast at the range.

Mikey my next project gun for 2004 is going to be a Czech 98/22 action with a .308cal.  26" long  1" bull target barrel,  I just ordered the ufixem gun from Centry for $44 just to get the reciever.  We will see if lightening can strike again(changing a barrel)??

[Mikey]

BigBill:  good luck with that 2004 project (even ifin ya'll are goin' to a 308).  Sounds like your youngest is gonna become a shooter - good parenting Dad, that always made all the difference.  Geez, a 308?  Well, gosh!  OK, let's hope lightening strikes twice in the same place.......  Mikey.