Disaster rifle, what to do? SMLE #1 Mk3

[John Y Cannuck]

Ok, I inherited my uncles hunting rifle. He gave up on it a few years before his death, the camp called it his crowbar.

The rifle's action has been drilled and tapped, the bridge removed, and filed crudely. Stock is sporterized. And he put his damned security number on the thing with an engraver. He even has a split ring, looks like off a suitcase for a front swivel ring.

The barrel is well pitted, and I suspect the headspace is wild. This due to his habit of shooting a cartridge behind a stuck pull through in the barrel. He did this twice that I'm aware of. Somehow both he and the rifle survived.

Thinking of getting a new barrel, possibly in some obscure wildcat like 308-444, but more likely just in 303 obviously the rifle is worthless to anyone but me. My uncle would think I was crazy, but you know, he was the only family member that shared the same absolute devotion to hunting I do. Fixing it up, is something he'd appreciate. (as long as I do it on the cheap)

 

[CobraGT]

Hell, I'd just keep it as is, as a family heirloom. I'm expecting to get my dad's old Enfield some day, and I don't plan to do a thing to it.

 

[plinker 777]

you might be surprised as to how well it shoots...try it.

 

[kawicrash]

That's exactly what a "tree-oh-tree" is supposed to be like.
Check the headspace and leave it as-is.

 

[Templar Knight]

Worse case scenario is that it becomes a wall hanger with sentimental value.....if it shoots , just leave as is just as your uncle had it...,

 

[John Y Cannuck]

 

[John Y Cannuck]

 

[John Y Cannuck]

 

[John Y Cannuck]

 

[John Y Cannuck]

 

[John Y Cannuck]

As to how well it shoots, it keyholes at 50 yards.

 

[CobraGT]

As to how well it shoots, it keyholes at 50 yards.

no problem... stick to targets at less than 50 yards! ;-)

 

[John Y Cannuck]

I have decided it must be restored to a reasonable shooter. It will never be a wall hanger. Hell, would you want it on your wall?
I think he'd want it to be hunted with, and that will be the plan. I will keep enough of it to be sure it's his, and I will retain and label all the parts I take off. I know he'd want the family to use it.

 

[plinker 777]

This I Love! ...Would you be looking for a barrel, or a barreled receiver? I would think the latter would get you back to shooting with less effort.

 

[Surplus1]

Maybe slug the barrel and try properly sized cast bullets in it. It may surprise you with what it can do

 

[Dyspnea]

Rebarreling into a odd ball caliber won't be on the cheap. Rebarreling in .303 would be less expensive.

How is the crown? Perhaps a cut and crown will rectify the key holing. Sluggin the barrel would be a good idea.

 

[bearhunter]

You should be able to pick up a take off bbl in good condition for under $50. Sometimes those old girls give a hard time to those that want to separate the barrels from the actions. I have done several of these but you most definitely need the correct receiver wrench/barrel vice. The barrels are sometimes so solidly in place that I have twisted them trying to take them off. I have also seen receivers marked and damaged by not using a properly fitted wrench. The flat under the receiver ring is not very wide and doesn't give you much to grab. I had to make up a special wrench to do Lee Enfield receivers that I could shim with brass to fit tightly enough not to slip and cause damage.

If that were my rifle I would likely do what John Y is doing as well. I can do the work myself though. That may be the difference. It's surprising but headspace on these rifles is usually close enough to pass the field gage test even when changing out the old barrel for a donor barrel. As for strength they are quite tough considering the steel in them. I have seen these old girls left outside so they wouldn't sweat the next morning when taken out and in the night, somehow their bores got water in them which froze. Everything from a few drops to almost plugged from muzzle to breach. I don't know how often I have seen their owners stick a cartridge into them, point them at a safe spot and pull the trigger to clear the obstruction. It was happening often enough with Lee Enfields and P17s/14s that I used to carry blanks for those old boys and girls because I didn't want see on Kaboom. It never happened while I was at that camp and it wouldn't surprise me if the practice is still going on. Those receivers will stretch a lot before they fail. They were designed with that in mind.

 

[John Y Cannuck]

I have changed out barrels on SMLE's before. Not an issue.
As to shooting lead, this rifle doesn't like lead, the bore is so pitted is plugs the lands rather quickly, tried that while he was still alive with a variety of lead hardness. I did slug it at that time, it's on the large side, but I don't remember the exact size. Even tried some over sized bullets from 303british.com. She just doesn't shoot. Harder on brass than my other 303's too.

Had an argument with an American gunsmith years ago that was certain I was full of #### when I told him the action and barrel were undamaged from the plug stunt. They were designed for the battle field, and that's a hell of a lot different than a sporter.

 

[John Y Cannuck]

quite probable that the bolt is set back a tad though. Nothing that can't be cured.

IMO the chamber isn't perfect either, considerably oversize, I neck size for it. Cases from it don't even come close to chambering in my unaltered Ross chamber.

 

[RifleDude]

Marstar has No1 barrels, so go for it https://www.marstar.ca/dynamic/category.jsp?catid=78347