7.62mm DCRA LE No4 conversion thread

I don't know if '64 was the first or second year. I shot in '62, and there were no conversions then. My brother shot in '64, and had my rifle rebarrelled for that season. He could have sent it to Long Branch for a 7.62 barrel, but instead elected to have it rebarrelled in .303 by Nels Colville in Winnipeg.
He returned the rifle to me a couple of years ago; I don't think it has been fired since '64. I really should take it out for the sake of nostalgia. I sure can't shoot irons like I once could.
I believe that across the board, the 7.62 rifles never performed as well as the .303 rifles. Don't know if it was the rifles or the issue 7.62 ball. The CF had gone to the NATO round, of course, and that is the reason for the caliber change.
A lot of the 7.62 conversions were altered in many ways to try to get the best results. The rules changed, and rifles no longer had to be in issue configuration. That's when some wild and wonderful reworks appeared.
In that Marksman article, there are excellent instructions for bedding No. 4s.
 
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When the rules evolved, and service configuration rifles were no longer required, a wide variety of 7.62/.308 rifles appeared. Ammunition was issue ball, and this resulted in some interesting bore/chamber configurations. Not unusual for No. 4s to be fitted with Schultz & Larsen heavy barrels, with their forends cut back. If service configuration, and muzzle bedding are no longer a factor, no reason to have a full length forend.
There was the belief that front locking rifles shot issue ball better at the shorter ranges, and rear locking No. 4s better at long ranges. Many shooters consequently used two rifles.
When the rules evolved further, and issue ball ammunition was no longer issued, the Lee Enfield target rifles disappeared almost immediately - they simply could not compete with .308 target rifles shooting actual match grade ammunition.
 
Doug said:
WOW! $2700.............mine is almost half that............shipped, no taxes...............
Click to expand...

Collector’s Source has always been on the “high side” when we’re talking prices.

I remembered I had to pay via COD to get items from them.
 
DCRA No. 1516

Good morning. A couple of weeks ago I purchased the rifle with the DCRA #1516 barrel. This rifle has been earlier mentioned in this thread a couple of times. I have a couple of questions for the membership. On the barrel, in addition to the 1516 identifier, are the stampings MP and 8. What would the meaning of these two stampings be? Also, on the 1945 LB No4 1* receiver is the C Oval with a 55 stamping within the oval. I am assuming that the 55 denotes 1955. If this is true, why was this stamping performed? Would the receiver have been proof tested or inspected at this time? The bolt and receiver ID numbers seem to match, but no DCRA numbering is evident on either the receiver or bolt. The bolt head is a #1.
The rifle, when I purchased it, was without sights, but did have a S&K mount. I have mounted a SeeAll II reflex sight onto it. Have not taken it out to the range yet.
Sorry, but can't figure out how to attach photos to this post. I will post the photos shortly, when I am smarter.
 
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