Custom SMLE gunmaker question.
- Thread starter SuperCub
- Start date
These Lee action based sporting rifles are lovely. They were made in calibers other than .303, as well. Recall a cover photo on Precision Shooting of one in .375. .375 Nitro Flanged?
The mechanics of the tang safeties aren't particularly complicated.
Quite a project to start with a service rifle action, and wind up with a sporting rifle with that quality and style.
The mechanics of the tang safeties aren't particularly complicated.
Quite a project to start with a service rifle action, and wind up with a sporting rifle with that quality and style.
I would want a perfect bore to start with. There are previously sported rifles out there with fine bores.
Setting the barrel back and cutting a commercial chamber is easy enough.
There are things that have to be dealt with - the charger bridge, the rear sight locating holes.
An argument could be made for starting with a MLE action - lines are cleaner. The lighter SMLE barrel could be retrofitted.
I do not know of any source for precarved stocks in the classic British style. Regular semi-finished sporter stocks could be reshaped.
Setting the barrel back and cutting a commercial chamber is easy enough.
There are things that have to be dealt with - the charger bridge, the rear sight locating holes.
An argument could be made for starting with a MLE action - lines are cleaner. The lighter SMLE barrel could be retrofitted.
I do not know of any source for precarved stocks in the classic British style. Regular semi-finished sporter stocks could be reshaped.
The PH Customs are about as nice as any of the recent sported LEs.
SMLE based ones without a Nock's Form have new commercial barrels. Doesn't mean that their chambering is necessarily good, though.
The PH stocks could probably be reshaped to British classic.
SMLE based ones without a Nock's Form have new commercial barrels. Doesn't mean that their chambering is necessarily good, though.
The PH stocks could probably be reshaped to British classic.
Sometimes it is Knoxform. Anyway, if the barrel is round at the breech, it is a commercial replacement.
I had to set the barrel back on one of these. It had the worst headspace I've ever seen on a .303. Don't know how it got out the door.
I had to set the barrel back on one of these. It had the worst headspace I've ever seen on a .303. Don't know how it got out the door.
there used to be a lot of Parker Hale and Churchill no4 sporting rifles around. Most had exc to mint barrels in them. I started collecting them because of the price and condition
back in the day. Found a Parker Hale no3 sporter mint in the box.
These are still great hunting rifles, 303 has killed everything in the Commonwealth. It would be a good start for your project. Maybe we all will convert a gun
back in the day. Found a Parker Hale no3 sporter mint in the box.
These are still great hunting rifles, 303 has killed everything in the Commonwealth. It would be a good start for your project. Maybe we all will convert a gun
Who in Canada can build a rifle like this?
Is that the rifle that was posted on the Accurate Reloading site ? That really is a nice rig . I've built a few from scratch , including one in 444 Marlin , and have reworked a few PH's and Churchills over the years ( a really good and inexpensive option ) but nothing that nice .
I picked up a minty PH sporter barrel a while back for next to nothing and have a few No1 and No4 actions kicking around , this thread may just motivate me to start my next winter project .
I recently gave a young friend of mine my last PH because every young man should own a decent LE . It really is a well made rifle that shoots amazingly well . I think I paid $300 for it , best money I ever spent . I might have to watch the EE as well , they still come up quite often .
Yes , now I remember . Rembo showed them to me , he knows I'm a Lee Enfield fan . The rifle pictured with the Wildebeest is probably the nicest No4 sporter I've ever seen . There should be a few PH's or Churchills in your neck of the woods that would make great winter projects . They do grow on you .
