enfield 308 extractor
- Thread starter billybob
- Start date
I've got one around here someplace if I could find it. It is a bit longer than the 303 one so that it can push the case over enough to be ejected by the ejector screw, at least that is the idea. Most 308 enfields I've seen use the 303 extractor.
macadoodle
CGN Regular
- Location
- Edmonchuck
where would we get a 308 extractor I could use a spare.
When I had the .303 extractor in my No4, it would pull the case out of the chamber but not eject it. When I swapped it for the .308 one (same bolt head), it ejected properly. I beleive headdamage has it correct, the greater length forces the cartridge over onto the ejector screw. There is no difference in the bolt head between .303 and .308, just the different extractor.
macadoodle
CGN Regular
- Location
- Edmonchuck
I have an extra .303 extractor, so I'll try this. any idea on measurements of the one's you've done?
To get good 7.62 ejection on a No 4-(using a Sterling conversion mag- the Enfield mags have an ejector tab built right on to them)
7.62 extractor or a .303 one modified as Beater said.
Install a longer ejector screw, as long as it can be without fouling the bolt. I believe it's 3BA thread.
You need a new, very strong extractor spring to push that 7.62 extractor hard over to the left, a weak spring won't do it.
- Location
- pallisers triangle
Cantom has got it right, the stronger spring is half the battle. also makeing a new ejector screw, which is cut back as little as possible, helps lots to. the screw that holds the safe lever on is the same thread, and can be used to make a new longer ejector screw, if you can find a spare.
i start by cutting/ filieing / stoneing just under the " hook" of the extractor.
you can file lots off, and it will eject great, but , if you notice in the pics, the 7.62 extractor has a much longer nose on it. this is to help start the extractor into the milled slot in the bbl upon closeing.
i found out the hard way, that if you take to much off the underside, the extractor will not go into its milled slot in the bbl. it will nose into the breechface of the bbl.
go slow, and test often, it doesnt take much to make it work much better, with the longer extractor screw.
hope you dont mind MARITIMER, i stole your pic
you can see where i drew the white line, this is how i start. you can see how it will let the nose or tip of the extractor fall closser to the bore, and how it will nose into the breech face, if you go to far.
i start by cutting/ filieing / stoneing just under the " hook" of the extractor.
you can file lots off, and it will eject great, but , if you notice in the pics, the 7.62 extractor has a much longer nose on it. this is to help start the extractor into the milled slot in the bbl upon closeing.
i found out the hard way, that if you take to much off the underside, the extractor will not go into its milled slot in the bbl. it will nose into the breechface of the bbl.
go slow, and test often, it doesnt take much to make it work much better, with the longer extractor screw.
hope you dont mind MARITIMER, i stole your pic
you can see where i drew the white line, this is how i start. you can see how it will let the nose or tip of the extractor fall closser to the bore, and how it will nose into the breech face, if you go to far.
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- Location
- Pile of Bones, SK
Interesting, didn't know the Enfield version had that.
If your rifle hasn't been milled out underneath, the Enfield mag will not work at all. I had a Long Branch DCRA rifle with an actual Enfield conversion mag, and it wouldn't go up far enough. Thus the ejector didn't work and it wouldn't feed any rounds at all.
But it sure looked nice...
I ended up swapping it even for a Sterling mag and doing the aforementioned mods. Worked about 90%.
I'm not going to claim it worked as well as the rifle feeding .303 rounds out of a .303 magazine because it didn't. But, for a target range rifle, it's good enough for the girls we go out with...
Most will sorta work, but not reliably (as in bet-your-life-on-it reliably). The milling cuts are necessary, but aren't a panacea. 7.62 Enfield magazine design just isn't a terribly good one. Spring should have longer (not taller) to give the follower more support.
- Location
- Pile of Bones, SK
Great info guys, I only have experience with the Sterling mags. As far as collection wise I wouldn't mind an Enfield mag one day, but for now I'm happy with the Sterling ones as they work reliably in my rifles.
- Location
- Pile of Bones, SK
Put down the purse limey!
Edit: they certainly aren't as smooth as a rifle in 303, but mine work great.
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