Converting a No. 4 to .223/7.62x39

I got a #4 Long Branch in Single Shot. It was built by Jim Dungan (I hope I spelt the name right). I have the fact sheet on this rifle somewhere seem to misplace it now, :oops: and it is in .223. It was my frist Target/F-Class rifle that got me started in the Long Range game. But sadly it's just collecting dust in the ol'd gun locker since I got a PGW 8)

Here a pic with the my old scope on it!!! :roll:

LeeEnfield1.jpg


LeeEnfield2.jpg
 
A number of years ago, when issue ammunition was still used for DCRA style competition, there was interest in setting up target rifles for 5.56, and some were made up on No. 4 actions, like Syxx15's pictured above. They tended to shoot very well. I suppose the catch is that the value of the other parts and labour is the same whether a salvaged No. 4 action or a custom target action is used. I believe it is mentionned in the surplusrifle article, but keep in mind that when a LE is breeched for .303, there is a gap of about 1/16" between the barrel face and the boltface. When a rifle is set up for a rimless cartridge, it is a good idea to eliminate this gap, so that the barrel and bolt are almost touching - no point in having more brass than necessary hanging out and exposed. For a 7.62x39 conversion, I wonder if it would be possible to use the original barrel: pick up the threads and turn and thread the whole shank, shorten from the breech, and lightly ream the existing chamber. Use a Savage style barrel nut to lock the barrel and set headspace. Haven't tried this, or even checked measurements, to know if is feasible. Spoiled no. 4s are so available and cheap that they are great for experimentation.
 
If Canada is anything like the U.S., the shops have an unlimited supply of BUBBA'D No4 huntin rifles. Ahm gonna sportyize this old thang inta a high powerful deer rifle! Gonna be wurth lots more money when Ah gits done with it.

The awakening comes when they try to sell it. What some folks did to Ross rifles is even more disgusting.
 
Beater was only half right.My 223 is based on a 1917 #1mk3 .And before somebody gets their panties in a twist ,I picked it up as a bare action and then bubbaed that :twisted: This is the 2nd build and as you can see it is still under construction.The 1st time arround as a 2 pc stock it would shoot into 1/2 " @ 100 yds but the action had problems ,so I built this one.
Rich


 
There just doesn't seem o be an easy and cost effective way to convert a No.4 to a plinker type ammo like the 7.62x39 mostly becuase of the ejection mechanisms involved. The 7.62x54 conversion does sound interesting though and would avoid the problems associated with rimmed/non rimmed cartridges.

I think the best and all around cheapest option is not actually modifying the rifle at all but reloading for it by pulling apart surplus 7.62x39 cartridges and using the components to reload 303 primed brass. I think CanAm has experimented with this with some good success. It's alsmost like shooting 7.62x39 out of your No. 4 (same bullet and powder charge) without the effects of corrosive primers plus you can switch to full power loads in a second if necessary.

Of course that means you have to go get a reloading kit, but then again with all the money you save by not converting your rifle you could spend on a decent reloading starter set that you can use to reload for all your firearms :)
 
There just doesn't seem o be an easy and cost effective way to convert a No.4 to a plinker type ammo like the 7.62x39 mostly becuase of the ejection mechanisms involved. The 7.62x54 conversion does sound interesting though and would avoid the problems associated with rimmed/non rimmed cartridges.

I think the best and all around cheapest option is not actually modifying the rifle at all but reloading for it by pulling apart surplus 7.62x39 cartridges and using the components to reload 303 primed brass. I think CanAm has experimented with this with some good success. It's alsmost like shooting 7.62x39 out of your No. 4 (same bullet and powder charge) without the effects of corrosive primers plus you can switch to full power loads in a second if necessary.

Of course that means you have to go get a reloading kit, but then again with all the money you save by not converting your rifle you could spend on a decent reloading starter set that you can use to reload for all your firearms :)
 
At the Vancouver HACS show a couple of years ago someone had a .223 No.4 for sale. It looked like a typical unfinished project with a .223 bull barrel. I was tempted but the seller wanted something like $200. and it looked like heck. If it had been finished or at least nicely sported like RR's I would have been interested.
 
Yea, seems like my best best will be reloading, the costs and hassel involved with modifying the rifle to shoot 7.62x39 is really too great and probably not worth it in the end.
 
Yes, my use of x39 components in 303 cases works very well. In fact it is all the 303 I shooot now. Having a warehouse full of the stuff helps too! :wink:
 
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