303 brit ammo getting harder to find

infidel29 said:
I always wondered how difficult and expensive would it be for a gunsmith to rechamber lee Enfield rifles to a more common caliber? Lot of quality guns out there that would benefit from a caliber change. Of course, the problem is that there is so many more newer guns that are already chamfered in more plentiful calibers. You'd think the guns would be worth much less without ammo availability, but the amount of 147+ year old guns commanding more $$$$ with far less ammo availability proves that statement wrong.
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I wish I could find a smithy to do that. I'd love to convert a couple of mine to 30-30 or 308.
 
grabbers said:
I wish I could find a smithy to do that. I'd love to convert a couple of mine to 30-30 or 308.
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Many Americans that know their stuff are converting the sporters to 45-70 and companies like Sarco Inc. are having magazines made especially for this conversion.

Most people don't do conversions in Canada because of the cost of the work and components, such as barrels.

Any competent smith should be able to set back an issue barrel or even install a chamber sleeve for the 30-30 Winchester. However, accuracy would likely be abysmal, unless the owner handloads, using .312 diameter bullets.

The Lee Enfield actions can also be convered for rimless rounds. The question is, do you really want to cut up your collectible rifle to do it.

Do you really want to set back a barrel or sleeve an existing chamber for a round that would give poor accuracy unless you handload larger bullets???

The 45-70 and even the recent 45acp conversion kits were/are a good idea. I saw one last fall that had been converted to 45 Colt. All of the rifles used for such projects were chopped down sporters or done on orphan receivers.

This is something I just remembered, Elwood Epps once converted a No4, without a butt socket to accept the 225 Winchester round. He modified the magazine so it would feed close enough to the front and feed properly.

That was many years ago. That rifle was very accurate but because of the dimensions of the case, the magazine would only hold three rounds and feed reliably.

I don't remember if he did the conversion for himself or for a client.
 
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re: question for reloaders: by the way, i was not trying to highjack the thread, just asking experienced 303 shooters.

Claven2 and Enefgee: the bore looks good, but I did not have it slugged yet, that is on the to-do list. I shot 174 grain Hornady interlock that shoot very well out of my sported P14. I'm not sure of the exact diameter, I will check with my friend who reloaded my brass. thank you for the information.

Denis
 
I see lots of ammo available, problem is it's expensive. Even a 500rnd brick of .22 is currently $70-ish.

My .303 is all loaded up, but with large primers being unobtanium until next year, it may sit for a while yet. Thankfully 7.62x39 is relatively stable thus far, so there's more SKS shooting on the horizon.
 
A seller at the Chilliwack gun show had lots of 303, new production, forgot what brand. While I was standing there and looking, some old folk came and asked what the price is. The ammo was marked at $39. The seller replied $30. The old folk walked away shaking his head, lol. I guess he thought it is expensive.
 
I had a now deceased friend who used to make up single shot .223 gopher guns in No4 LE actions featuring 1 piece stocks. The action looked kind of flimsy screwed onto a heavy truck axle barrel, but they worked OK.
 
fritzhanzel said:
A seller at the Chilliwack gun show had lots of 303, new production, forgot what brand. While I was standing there and looking, some old folk came and asked what the price is. The ammo was marked at $39. The seller replied $30. The old folk walked away shaking his head, lol. I guess he thought it is expensive.
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I suspect that was the same fellow that came around asking for part boxes of 303Brit but it couldn't be surplus military ammo.

I had a part box of old Federal Gray Box with 174 grain soft points and gave them to him. His funds are very tight and he has permission from a farm in the Chilliwack area to hunt Deer in the fall. He told me he only needs a couple to shoot game and a couple more to make sure his eyes were still good enough for minute of Deer chest at 50 yards.

He's a good sort, living on a meagre fixed income and has been at every Chilliwack two day show from the very first one. Aways looking for a part box or a cheap box of 303Brit. His first name is Philip.
 
bearhunter said:
I suspect that was the same fellow that came around asking for part boxes of 303Brit but it couldn't be surplus military ammo.

I had a part box of old Federal Gray Box with 174 grain soft points and gave them to him. His funds are very tight and he has permission from a farm in the Chilliwack area to hunt Deer in the fall. He told me he only needs a couple to shoot game and a couple more to make sure his eyes were still good enough for minute of Deer chest at 50 yards.

He's a good sort, living on a meagre fixed income and has been at every Chilliwack two day show from the very first one. Aways looking for a part box or a cheap box of 303Brit. His first name is Philip.
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bearhunter, may karma haunt you till the very end :)
May it follow you in good health and and in your ventures.
Guys like you are far and few between who understand good people and to recognize such.
Rob
 
bearhunter said:
Many Americans that know their stuff are converting the sporters to 45-70 and companies like Sarco Inc. are having magazines made especially for this conversion.

Most people don't do conversions in Canada because of the cost of the work and components, such as barrels.

Any competent smith should be able to set back an issue barrel or even install a chamber sleeve for the 30-30 Winchester. However, accuracy would likely be abysmal, unless the owner handloads, using .312 diameter bullets.

The Lee Enfield actions can also be convered for rimless rounds. The question is, do you really want to cut up your collectible rifle to do it.

Do you really want to set back a barrel or sleeve an existing chamber for a round that would give poor accuracy unless you handload larger bullets???

The 45-70 and even the recent 45acp conversion kits were/are a good idea. I saw one last fall that had been converted to 45 Colt. All of the rifles used for such projects were chopped down sporters or done on orphan receivers.

This is something I just remembered, Elwood Epps once converted a No4, without a butt socket to accept the 225 Winchester round. He modified the magazine so it would feed close enough to the front and feed properly.

That was many years ago. That rifle was very accurate but because of the dimensions of the case, the magazine would only hold three rounds and feed reliably.

I don't remember if he did the conversion for himself or for a client.
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I actually have a Navy Arms LE No.1 MkIII in 45-70.
 
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180gr Super-X at Cabelasdotca: <https://www.cabelas.ca/product/64683/winchester-super-x-centerfire-rifle-ammunition>
 
Just get Marstar to buy REAL tungsten 122 gr .311 7.62x39 from Norinco. (Dirt cheap and high grade).

Pull all the bullets....Re-Roll them in .303 Brit. Transonic to 1000 probably.

Charge $50 bucks a box for 20. Profitable and fun. Legal and wholesome.

Farm boys dream. Shoot up some AR500 targets.

$$$+Fun.
 
QM 86 said:
Most military rifles produced today are poor quality.
Plastic, alloy, small cals.
Lee Enfields are still superior to most other service rifles ever made. 1 century old and will be around for many more.
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Better then Rem700 and Mauser action in minus 60. Great for Plus 55 with extra humidity.

Really good still.
 
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