Custom SMLE gunmaker question.
- Thread starter SuperCub
- Start date
I saw a BSA sporter chambered in 375 in a gun shop north of London ( England ) many years ago . It had seen many years of use , but I wanted it anyway . I've often thought of building one in that caliber , or even in 405 Win . I think I'd opt for a No4 action though , the 405's pressure would be pushing a No1 a bit . I think you could even get away with using an issue mag with out to much fiddling around .
The 375 flange they used is the 2 1/2 inch case, I have seen one factory sporter Lee enfield in it years ago and have a 1901 Ross sporting rifle in this caliber
I believe most of factory sporting Lee Enfield rifles were made by BSA and then sold by other company's. Mine is a BSA and my brother has one marked with Lawn and Alder which has the tang safety also patent by BSA Nice classic hunting rifles
I believe most of factory sporting Lee Enfield rifles were made by BSA and then sold by other company's. Mine is a BSA and my brother has one marked with Lawn and Alder which has the tang safety also patent by BSA Nice classic hunting rifles
BigUglyMan
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- New Scotland
Lon Paul?
A quick google-search tells me the .405 runs at about 34,000 psi. The .303 would be at least 10,000 psi over that, so pressure should not be an issue. The .303 is a very tapered cartridge and the .405 is not, so I would anticipate some difficulty getting it to feed reliably.
If you want something different from the .303, give the 6.5x53R some consideration. Rim diameter is the same, and you actually form 6.5 brass from .303 Br. Overall length is roughly the same as is the chamber pressure. It would require a custom barrel and chamber reamer, however.
Your best bet is to watch the EE, the occasional bubba enfield with nice sporter stock could become a nice project easily.
That particular rifle looks almost like Von Gruff's awesome work.
Those are nice as well. I think the 375 Flanged would be the route to go other than the std 303 British.
As the 405 was originally loaded , the 405 did generate lower pressures . Recent load data lists loads in excess of 45000 cup , It's not that far above No1 operating specs , but I'd prefer a bit of a margin . I wouldn't use loads that generated those kind of pressures , but I won't be the only person that will own it . I'm perfectly happy to use less than maximum loads , but a lot of people like to push it , unfortunately , I have to keep that in mind with any rifle I put together .
The 6.5X53R looks like a really interesting round , definitely worth a look ......... and I have a 6.5 blank around here somewhere hmm .
have a bit of a starting point for the .375 flanged on a 1895 bsa action and some semi inletted wood .It has been headspaced and test fired so far .Will be a finish up later on in life project
Cheers Peter
Very nice , does it feed from an issue mag , or have you got that far with it yet ?
the OP's top rifle is a .405 I believe. Lee Speeds in .375 had a square bottom magazine. There was someone in Australia offering Lee Speed repro stocks. Check the Lee Speed forum on Nitro Express web site.
Found this if you are looking for wood. Not sure of the quality.
http://forums.nitroexpress.com/showflat.php?Cat=0&Number=246982&an=0&page=3#Post246982
Check with a good gunsmith ,I think most of them could build this. I put a new McMillan barrel on my custom-full wood .303 Enfield . My son put 2 shots through a deer's heart with it. One from front on and one through the side as it wheeled and turned. True story ...I should have had the heart bronzed!
