Converting an SMLE to 303-25
- Thread starter Power Pill
- Start date
"The .303/25, sometimes known as the .25/303 is a wildcat centrefire rifle cartridge, based on the .303 British, necked down to fire a .257 projectile, originating in Australia in the 1940s as a cartridge for sporterised rifles, particularly on the Lee–Enfield action; similar versions also appeared in Canada around the same time"
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.303/25
They are upside down, down there... traditionally up here it would be called a 25 - 303 as it is based on a parent .303 case and necked down to .25 caliber. It could also have a blown out improved shoulder... and if that shoulder is 40 degrees it would be called a 25-303 Ackley Improved. I think. I built a 6mm-303 Ackley Improved on a Large Martini in 1966...
Any gunsmith experienced in rebarreling could do the job.
Finding a 'smith with the reamer might be the challenge. Don't know if Epps still has Elwood's old tooling.
This would not be an inexpensive project.
Cost of barrel; cost of reamer, if one has to be custom ground; cost of gunsmithing; cost of dies.
If one of the higher grade Parker Hale conversions was the starting point, an attractive, good shooting rifle could result.
Finding a 'smith with the reamer might be the challenge. Don't know if Epps still has Elwood's old tooling.
This would not be an inexpensive project.
Cost of barrel; cost of reamer, if one has to be custom ground; cost of gunsmithing; cost of dies.
If one of the higher grade Parker Hale conversions was the starting point, an attractive, good shooting rifle could result.
I do not recall ever seeing a .25 caliber take-off barrel for sale. A new custom barrel may be the only option. Contour will have to be one to which the forend could be adapted. Choice of Cr-Mo or stainless. Cr-Mo will need polishing and bluing. Iron sights would need to be mounted, unless rifle is to be scope only.
A reamer would probably need to be ordered, and it would be a special.
The magazine would be fine for a .303 case necked to .25; if the version is improved, adjustments might be needed.
There is a thread running on upscale Lee Enfield sporting rifles. One of these in .25 - or another caliber - would certainly be interesting.
But it is going to be an expensive project, even done as a do-it-yourself.
A reamer would probably need to be ordered, and it would be a special.
The magazine would be fine for a .303 case necked to .25; if the version is improved, adjustments might be needed.
There is a thread running on upscale Lee Enfield sporting rifles. One of these in .25 - or another caliber - would certainly be interesting.
But it is going to be an expensive project, even done as a do-it-yourself.
