planning on a project "sporterized lee 4 into a unsporterized .22"

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Rdrash

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So I was thinking of a project for maybe the spring, but I know there is more to it. I'm seeing all of these mismatched sporterized no.4 going for cheep, sometimes with the bayonet lugs cut off and sometimes with the barrel shot out but uncut. Now Ive got the wood to unstorterize a lee. I will be ordering 3 .22 liners for other projects this winter so what's one more. So my question is what else will I need and need to do (.22 bolt). might be fun to bring a shot out old lee back into usefulness again. Any addvice will be appreciated. Thanks
Trevor
 
If you sleeve a .303 to .22, remember that the barrel face needs to be brought back to the boltface, to eliminate the rim gap.
You don't need a .22 bolt. A .303 bolt can be modified. Cut off the firing pin tip. Solder this into the bolthead. Drill the bolthead for a rimfire firing pin. An extractor will be needed.
 
The steel in C No.7 barrels has a magical property of self-directed reemergence as unobtainium.

Liners are sold in the gunsmithing trade. Let your fingers do the walking.
 
I have converted a couple of Sht.LEs. Same principles apply.

You will need a couple of tools. ie. a 5/16 long shank drill bit to open up the bore a touch and a .22 chamber reamer. And a tin of solder paste, or, some use epoxy.

You will also need a spacer bushing turned up for the breech end. I used a 32cal chamber adapter for the bushing. I fitted it and soldered in place before I drilled.

You can modify a 303 bolt, yes. The bolt body is untouched. Just change out the bolt head and cut the striker right back to the collar.
The extractor is a little different on the .22. I could not successfully modify a 303 extractor, just not enough metal in it to grind away to allow it to reach far enough over and grab the rim. Tried modifying the bolt head but just wrecked it.
I recommend finding a .22 bolt head, extractor and firing pin, save yourself some grief.

Brownells is a good source and sell mail order on line.
 
Just an idea but here goes.
I have a full set of wood that is not in real good shape, a good barrel from a cooey 82(barrel only, no receiver) that is not pretty on the outside and an old LE No.4 with a bad bad barrel and a non matching bolt. It would be worthless for resale and worthless as a collector but the 303 barrel could be cut in front of the action and then drilled and tapped to accept the newly threaded barrel from the 22. Modify the bolt, add the wood and there it is, a worthless but valuable Lee Enfield No.4 22 that sure would be fun to shoot and probably one of a kind.
 
gerard488 said:
Just an idea but here goes.
I have a full set of wood that is not in real good shape, a good barrel from a cooey 82(barrel only, no receiver) that is not pretty on the outside and an old LE No.4 with a bad bad barrel and a non matching bolt. It would be worthless for resale and worthless as a collector but the 303 barrel could be cut in front of the action and then drilled and tapped to accept the newly threaded barrel from the 22. Modify the bolt, add the wood and there it is, a worthless but valuable Lee Enfield No.4 22 that sure would be fun to shoot and probably one of a kind.
Click to expand...

You can also turn down the .22 barrels muzzle, and sleeve on the No. 4's front end, to retain the lugs and front sight assembly.
 
Gerard488, what you basically describe is what is often done to replace the barrel on antique and other rifles where replacements don't exist. So your idea is a good one and is workable.

The Original barrel is cut off leaving the threaded stub that screws into the receiver. The stub is bored out and the new barrel turned and heat shrunk into the stub. The barrel extends right to the bolt face. Not cheap for a gunsmith to do, but if you know a machinist with a lathe....
 
Hi all. Plus one on all above, done all the mentioned methods. The easiest way is the barrels stub method and ream, and fix in place with set screws. Even built one in 17hmr, accurate and a head turner. I recycle old no7 bolt heads easy if you can get a few.
any questions please ask
be well
 
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