Re-Barreling a Lee Enfield - Caliber options?

[SHELL SHUCKER]

whats the difference between the 375/303 Westley Richards and the 375 winchester? Im currently trying to find info if the 375 win will work, and already have a 45-70 conversion.

The difference between the 375/303 Westley Richards and the .375 Win. is that the Win. operates at a higher pressure than the .375/303.
The Westley Richards round is around 45,000psi. and the standard factory pressure level for the .375 Win. is 50,000psi.

I will no doubt do up a No.4 Lee Enfield one day in .375 Winchester, but I will definitely load it down to below the 45000psi. SAAMI specs. for the .303 British.
Would make a great 10 round bear thumper for sure.

 

[cody c]

The difference between the 375/303 Westley Richards and the .375 Win. is that the Win. operates at a higher pressure than the .375/303.
The Westley Richards round is around 45,000psi. and the standard factory pressure level for the .375 Win. is 50,000psi.

I will no doubt do up a No.4 Lee Enfield one day in .375 Winchester, but I will definitely load it down to below the 45000psi. SAAMI specs. for the .303 British.
Would make a great 10 round bear thumper for sure.

I already have a couple barrel blanks in .375 and know of a smith who has some excellent condition no4 enfield actions that he will sell, I'd really like to go to a .375 win, but I would want to be able to fire it with factory ammo without it blowing up. I may have to do the 375-303 or 375 JDJ, but I'd prefer the 375 win, as Id rather have something that you can buy off the shelf ammunition for, in the case that I sell it or pass it on to a relative.

If anyone at all knows of someone who has converted a no4 to 375 win please PM me their email or phone number, I really want to make this happen.

 

[mbogo3]

How about warm loaded 38-55 in 375 bore or .375 loaded down a little? Where the #4's not converted to fire 7.62x51 Nato ?Harold

 

[cody c]

How about warm loaded 38-55 in 375 bore or .375 loaded down a little? Where the #4's not converted to fire 7.62x51 Nato ?Harold

Ive read that the ishapores were 7.62 Nato, but they were made new as 7.62 NATO and not just rebarreled, also Ive read that they used better steel and maybe strengthened them for the higher pressures.

 

[SHELL SHUCKER]

I already have a couple barrel blanks in .375 and know of a smith who has some excellent condition no4 enfield actions that he will sell, I'd really like to go to a .375 win, but I would want to be able to fire it with factory ammo without it blowing up. I may have to do the 375-303 or 375 JDJ, but I'd prefer the 375 win, as Id rather have something that you can buy off the shelf ammunition for, in the case that I sell it or pass it on to a relative.

If anyone at all knows of someone who has converted a no4 to 375 win please PM me their email or phone number, I really want to make this happen.

A No.4 mk1 or 2 will do for the .375 Win, but not a No.1 mk 3. The7.62 Nato runs in pressure to around 62,000psi.
You should have no problem with your choice with factory ammo.

 

[cody c]

A No.4 mk1 or 2 will do for the .375 Win, but not a No.1 mk 3. The7.62 Nato runs in pressure to around 62,000psi.
You should have no problem with your choice with factory ammo.

Can you elaborate a bit, I thought the ishapore mk3's were higher proof rated based on the little bit of reading ive done on the net.

 

[SHELL SHUCKER]

If you have an Ishapore made No1 mk3 action, it will not be suitable for conversion to cartridges
such as .375 Winchester because it isn't strong enough to maintain headspace. It won't blow up,
but your brass will suffer excess stretching and wear out quick.

The No.4 series is best suited for this conversion because of it's improved strength.
This was the action used to handle the 7.62 Nato in rifles like the L8A1, L8A2 & L8A3.

 

[cody c]

If you have an Ishapore made No1 mk3 action, it will not be suitable for conversion to cartridges
such as .375 Winchester because it isn't strong enough to maintain headspace. It won't blow up,
but your brass will suffer excess stretching and wear out quick.

The No.4 series is best suited for this conversion because of it's improved strength.

Oh, didn't know it was stronger. To the OP, Brian at accurate action in Calgary has a bunch of cool wildcat barrels for enfields if that interests you.