Help with Enfield trainer *Chamber Cast Done!*

green said:
Looked at Zefarm site. They listed .303" SA made ammo as Japanese made at a coresponding price.
Have examined a few No2s converted to cf ctg. International sold No2s in 22 Hornet @$29.95 in the early 60s. Other calibres were 22/303 and 218 Bee by various.
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Oh god. I wonder if any of these calibers are still available. I may have to have some sort of insert made to permanently convert it back to 22LR
 
I took the rifle to my workshop today and refinished it (seeing as how it's a bitser). I also tried a .303 brass in it and it will not fit.

The chamber is too big for a .22 hornet and too small for .303.

Any ideas?
 
try trimming the .303 case in half and see if it fits. Might be necked down enough to prevent it from chambering.

Also suggest you get a smith to chamber cast it.
 
I bought some cerrosafe online and I plan to do a chamber cast for sure.


Is there a possibility it could be .220 Swift?
 
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.222 swift is a fairly high pressure round for the SMLE action.

Norma of Sweden lists the .220 Swift with a 50 grain bullet at 4110 fps. The Swift is at its best when loaded with a good 55 grain at 3800 to 3900 fps.

Pressures are typically in the 54,000CUP range. .303 British is only 45,000 CUP with projectiles only moving 2440 fps.

Get the idea?
 
skirsons said:
Oh god. I wonder if any of these calibers are still available. I may have to have some sort of insert made to permanently convert it back to 22LR
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If the bore is .22 that's exactly what I'd be doing...

Assuming in the light of the comments in this thread that you don't decide to return it to Zefarm. Doesn't sound like a really pristine collecting piece...
 
In addition to the pressure levels of a Swift - which is a very hot cartridge, far beyond what a SMLE was intended to withstand, the .22 barrel on your rifle is made of a steel intended for use with a low velocity lead bullet cartridge. It will also likely be on the tight side. Bore life would be limited.
 
It wasn't purchased as a pristine collector's piece, but rather a cheaper .22 trainer that used "inserts" which is the only thing that is suspect in his description.

cantom said:
If the bore is .22 that's exactly what I'd be doing...

Assuming in the light of the comments in this thread that you don't decide to return it to Zefarm. Doesn't sound like a really pristine collecting piece...
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tiriaq said:
The .22" Short Rifle Pattern 1918, which used the conveyors, had a bolthead converted to rimfire. The centrefire bolt in your rifle is incorrect for this system, or for any other .22 rimfire rifle.
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I talked to an owner of one of these rifles and he says there are both types. One has a centrefire pin and the other a rimfire.
 
Well, the description referred to inserts, which is what attracted you. It doesn't use them, and apparently never did. An established dealer should have known better, and should not have referred to the inserts unless this was correct. It would have been easy enough to determine, just by attempting to chamber a .303 dummy round. While not definitive, if a .303 round would not chamber, an conveyor definitely would not. The rifle will no doubt be an interesting project, and if it is chambered for a moderate centrefire round could be a good shooter, assuming that is the situation. A chamber cast will help resolve the mystery of the chambering. Because there is no way of knowing who did the work, etc. a degree of caution would be in order before actually trying to fire the rifle.
 
skirsons said:
I talked to an owner of one of these rifles and he says there are both types. One has a centrefire pin and the other a rimfire.
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A centrefire bolt would be used with a centrefire cartridge. Perhaps there were conveyors which used the Morris Tube cartridge. When I checked Skennerton, I could find no reference to a centrefire Pattern 1918.
 
BadgerDog said:
Check out this Gunbroker Auction. Piece is located in Canada

Lee Enfield No1 Mk3 22 inch modified barrel http://www.milsurps.com/vbclassified.php?do=ad&id=277

Regards,
Badger
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Unfortunately this barrel has been cut, and a sporting ramp front sight added.
If necessary, an extension could be fitted, and a SMLE front sight base installed. Given the scarcity of spare .22 barrels, this could be a reasonable option, and would be externally undetectable in a rifle with issue configuration.
 
tiriaq said:
Unfortunately this barrel has been cut, and a sporting ramp front sight added.
If necessary, an extension could be fitted, and a SMLE front sight base installed. Given the scarcity of spare .22 barrels, this could be a reasonable option, and would be externally undetectable in a rifle with issue configuration.
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Yup, I figure for $20 with it being in Canada (assuming nobody else wants it), it's a reasonable option to fix the mess... :D

Regards,
Badger
 
You know, if this barrel could be acquired for a nominal cost, it would be easy enough to make up a .22 rifle on a nondescript SMLE. Wouldn't require any non-reversable alterations to the basic rifle. The work on the barrel wouldn't take 2 hours.
There is no shortage of scrap SMLE barrels which could be donors for a muzzle end with front sight assembly.
 
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