Converting No.1 SMLE to .308

Fenix.NZ

Fenix.NZ

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so apart from a new barrel ( easy to get ) and having the bolt face modified to the .308 case size ( probably the hardest bit )

is there anything else i would need to take into consideration with this conversion ? perhaps some guides in the magazine to make up for the non rimmed cases?


before anyone chimes in about destroying a piece of history .. well i wanna shoot this piece of history, regularly, and .303 in NZ is getting pretty slim pickins
 
I can't remember if the story of the receiver's steel being different is factual; the strength being different between the regular .303 SMLE receiver and the more recent Ishapore-made .308. If I did the conversion I'd find out for sure. But because I'm lazy, I simply found and bought an Ishapore 2A1 :)
 
I assume that you don't reload and hence are a slave to whatever ammo might be available. If so, I can also assume that you will have to use factory 308 which is in the 50K+ psi range. Without special treatment of the receiver, that will be enough to eventually ruin the SMLE.

Might be time to consider reloading.
 
bOLT FACE IS OK AS IS. Extractor will pull case part way out, as is. New barrel is all you need.

Modifying mag would be a chore, but maybe the Ishapore mag would fit.

But rifle would take a terrible beating from hotter round. The 308/7.62 round is 10 to 15K higher pressure than the 303.

Why not buy a Ishapore? Or hand load? hand loading will open a new world to you.
 
Or, start casting your own bullets and reloading your own .303 ammo. Living in rural Newfoundland, everything virtually is only available via mailorder. That gets expensive really fast. Best decision I ever made was to start casting and reloading for my bangsticks, especially the milsurps.
 
gaff said:
you won't need to change the bolt face . only change or modify the extractor. the mag also.
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While it is POSSIBLE to convert the No. 1 SMLE to use the .308 Winchester cartridge, it is a conversion that is a bit unsafe and not recommended. The chamber pressure of .308 is over 20% higher than that of a .303 cartridge. While the No. 1 rifle was designed for being adequate for the .303, it is considered too weak an action for the .308.

Apparently, the Ishapore Number 1 Mark III rifle uses a different formula stronger steel in the action. Elwood Epps, a well known Canadian Gunsmith designed a series of cartridges to increase the power of the .303 cartridge, and he would convert the No. 4 and P-14 rifles to handle his blown out Wildcat .303 Epps cartridge, he refused to convert the No. 1 rifles because he considered them too weak for the pressure.

You would probably be happier with an already converted Ishapore rifle, or even better, reload your own cartridges. The latter option gives you a lot of flexibility in loadings, and can ensure a supply of ammunition at a reasonable expense. If you buy a bullet mould, you can shoot cast lead bullets at 2000 fps, or about 30-30 velocities without leading your barrel provided you use a good bullet lubricant.
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tiriaq said:
UK and Australia rejected the concept of converting SMLEs to 7.62.
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Likewise, 15 or 20 yrs ago there was a flurry of postings on the old Fullbore List when NZ decided to ban No.4 conversions from army ranges. Something about the rifles exceeding their design tolerances and no way of tracking round counts. Naturally, the NZ NRA loudly objected at the civil autorities' interference, but some bureaucrat made up his mind and no amount of fact or argument would change it.
 
Australian ordnance experience showed that the .308"/7.62mm SMLEs developed twisted actions and cracking at the ejector screw. This halted any 7.62 conversion program.
 
Fenix.NZ said:
ammunition availability..

thanks for the information guys.. looks like i will just forget about the project..

i dont have the time for hand loading so not even going to bother looking into it ..

maybe ill just get a wall hanger No.1
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Id think id have no issue finding ammo in new nealand
 
I wouldn't recommend it has already been tried and the RECEIVER FAILED WITH FACE SHREADING RESULTS [BOOM] india did it but made a new receiver with stronger steel the only other thing is like already stated a new extractor and check your headspace.The mag will have to be replaced and fitted,Site calabration would need to be ironed out.

If this is what you want to do go with a NO4 receiver best results will come from a BNP mark receiver to be safe.[Nitro tested]




Fenix.NZ said:
so apart from a new barrel ( easy to get ) and having the bolt face modified to the .308 case size ( probably the hardest bit )

is there anything else i would need to take into consideration with this conversion ? perhaps some guides in the magazine to make up for the non rimmed cases?


before anyone chimes in about destroying a piece of history .. well i wanna shoot this piece of history, regularly, and .303 in NZ is getting pretty slim pickins
Click to expand...
 
Fenix.NZ said:
so apart from a new barrel ( easy to get ) and having the bolt face modified to the .308 case size ( probably the hardest bit )

is there anything else i would need to take into consideration with this conversion ? perhaps some guides in the magazine to make up for the non rimmed cases?


before anyone chimes in about destroying a piece of history .. well i wanna shoot this piece of history, regularly, and .303 in NZ is getting pretty slim pickins
Click to expand...

Can or better yet, should this be done? The 303 action may and bolt may not be able to handle the additional pressures of the 308 round.

The 303 exerts weaker pressures upon firing than the 308. That's why the powder charges (in terms of case capacity) are lower in comparison those same powders in a 308.

Just buy a 308 bolt rifle and be done with it. It is not worth the risk of injury with a catastrophic failure of the bolt, chamber or receiver.
 
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