45/70 lee enfield

broncoo

broncoo

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anyone know of any smiths that do this conversion. i have #1 mk3 sporter that needs this treatment

i know of one in northern bc i just want options
 
You could try Dlask Arms it would take a barrel blank and some other parts like magazine ect
 
Contact info;

John Rempel
JR's Custom Gun Smithing
Box 29
Tom's Lake, BC
V0C 2L0

Tel 250 786-5029

John by all reports is very busy so be sure to ask "how long". You should advertise for a 45-70 barrel. Few years ago there were a couple for sale chambered and threaded for Enfield in the $400 range. You sometimes see the 45-70 "Gibbs" mag for sale around $140. Getting the parts may speed up the project.

Hope this helps,

Ron

PS I have no affliation with this gunsmith.
 
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ahha that would be the fella that i already know of. jr's custom smithing

all i am going to need done is the barrell installed and headspaced to bolt, modify bolt to accept 45/70 head and clearance reciever to allow feeding from magazine

i am going to do the rest myself, i do not like the gibbs single stack mags
 
The 45/70 conversions does not require any modifications to the bolt or receiver rails. If you have a sporter then your good forthe stock and maybe scope mounting if drilled and tapped. You need to rebarrel, chamber and headspace. Forend needs to be openned up for the heavier 45-70 barrel. Install sights if you're going that way. The Gibbs mag has all the bugs worked out...you can use a military mag...lots of fiddling...I mean lots and I've never seen one work right.

There are very few folks who will work on an Enfield...John Rempel is the only guy out west that I know who does.

Good luck with the project,

Ron
 
rgg_7 said:
The 45/70 conversions does not require any modifications to the bolt or receiver rails. If you have a sporter then your good forthe stock and maybe scope mounting if drilled and tapped. You need to rebarrel, chamber and headspace. Forend needs to be openned up for the heavier 45-70 barrel. Install sights if you're going that way. The Gibbs mag has all the bugs worked out...you can use a military mag...lots of fiddling...I mean lots and I've never seen one work right.

There are very few folks who will work on an Enfield...John Rempel is the only guy out west that I know who does.

Good luck with the project,

Ron
Click to expand...

I had a bad experience with Rempel, I would not ever send another rifle to him. YMMV.

I think most of the gunsmiths in town are busy enough they can charge what they want, you will see
That reflected in the final bill, stuff like blueing or cerakote'ing and free floating adds
Up quick.
 
Why would you not need to modify at least the extractor? The case head size of 45-70 is .610 and the brit is .540... I think it would be a good idea to relieve .030 from the extractor.

Is the no.1 action strong enough to handle lever gun loads or just "classic" 45-70 loads?
 
just a bit so it sits square to the shoulder

as for loads the lee can handle at least 47000 psi which covers about half of the 45/70 loads for a ruger #1

same design is also chambered in. 308 win which can get to 62000 psi with hot loads....
 
broncoo said:
just a bit so it sits square to the shoulder

as for loads the lee can handle at least 47000 psi which covers about half of the 45/70 loads for a ruger #1

same design is also chambered in. 308 win which can get to 62000 psi with hot loads....
Click to expand...

#1 enfields where chambered in 308 / 7.62 nato ? i thought only the #4's chambered for that , and only a select few at that ???
 
the bolt locks up the same way. only major difference is lack of peep sight and slightly different bolt. in regard to the reciever
 
No. 4 rifles were successfully converted to 7.62x51. The Brits and Aussies gave up on converting No. 1 rifles to 7.62x51 because of bent receivers. The Indians successfully manufactured SMLEs in 7.62x51 by relaxing proof testing standards. The No. 4 design is stronger that the No. 1.
One factor affecting backthrust is the area of the casehead bearing on the boltface. Given equal pressures, a .45-70 will generate more back thrust than a .303.
All this means is that if a handloader really wants to hotrod .45-70 loads, a Lee Enfield might not be the best choice.
 
With the amount of money you are going to sink into wrecking an SMLE, you would be better off to look for an original 1879 or 1885 Remington-Lee rifle.

The US Navy adopted them in .45-70 and a fair number of commercial rifles also were built.

The antique will appreciate in value also.
 
Does anyone in Ontario do this conversion? I have an absolutely beautiful (yes a beautiful lee enfield! lol ) lee enfield sporter that is suffering from throat erosion that I would love to rebarrel to 45-70. If anyone can chime in on this it would be greatly appreciated. Smiths around the petawawa area would be great! I would have thought there would be much more interest in this topic, given the abundance of 303's in Canada! Come on guys, rebarrel, restock and resight those classic ol lee enfields and give them new life! Think of the adventures that are waiting for you in the bear woods! Awsome caliber (so is the 303) and an awesome action! Lets get this thread rolling.

Dave
 
I have a number 1 on 45/70 that JR Custom built for a friend. It will not handle heavy loads, the bolt locks up hard and it takes a real effort to open it. The people I talked to say that the number 4 is a better action for this conversion.
 
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