1944 longbranch N9 .22 is is real?

[tiriaq]

That will be interesting to watch!

I have a vintage single shot 7.62 target rifle made using a LB .22 receiver. One piece Robertson stock, short striker fall, Canjar trigger. Converted by Jim Duggan? Thinking about the No.4s converted to .22 in the Barry Langille auction, it occurred to me that converting this rifle into a .22 target rifle would be an interesting project. Apart from a .22 barrel, I would need a No. 7 bolt head assembly. Of course, I could convert a .303 bolt head, but using a No. 7 would be faster and easier. I have a Stevens 416 .22 target rifle barrel which could be fitted with a barrel shank so it could be installed in the LB receiver.

 

[maple_leaf_eh]

Jim did make a few CNo.7 to 5.56 conversions. I remember him trying one at 1000yds at Dundurn. He was hoping for the Lee Enfield "flip" to work in his favour for the lighter bullets. Not sure how it worked out.

Which leads to a different CNo.7 receiver question - were they heat treated like a No.4? I've been told they were not. Anyone know?

 

[tiriaq]

There doesn't seem to have been a problem with the one piece 7.62 rifle built up on the .22" receiver.
I have chemically stripped ratty Lee Enfield receivers; the heat treated regions show differently than non-heat treated areas. They are induction hardened in specific locations - primarily in the locking abutments. Based on how the receivers drill, tap and cut, I believe that only the specific areas are hardened, with the bulk of the receiver being unhardened. If you inspect a crisp Australian SMLE receiver, you can see the heat treated areas in the Parkerizing.
I think the only difference between a No. 4 and a No. 7 receiver is in the markings, and the rear sight mounting provisions of the No. 7.

 

[bearhunter]

I have a match No7 rifle with a 7.62 barrel, after market match adj trigger and Parker Hale No5 sights.

I can attest that the locking lug region is HARD.

About 25 years ago, I had it tested on a Brinnell Hardness tester that was at my workplace.

It was hardened in two spots, right at the opening of the breech and all around the rear locking lug recesses. We only checked those areas because they were the only areas we were worried about. .