Lee-Enfield won't chamber rounds

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BCPilotguy

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Hello,

I have a Lee-Enfield No. 4 Mk II that will not chamber a loaded round (It will chamber an empty casing though). Any ideas?

Thanks,

Brodie
 
Several things to look for, assuming the ammo you are trying to load is factory or equivalent.
Sounds to me like you may have one of the many old Enfields that were re-barreled for another cartridge? If not, and you have a reloading press, try seating a bullet deeper in a dummy round, until it will chamber and then measure overall length compared to factory.
Best to get a chamber cast made and see what you are really dealing with!
 
better have someone look at that.

If it was rebarreled and rechambered it shouldn't be able to chamber an empty case, unless its chambered for a long small caliber round.


I'de like to see that myself
 
This may sound stupid but have you looked down the barrel/cleaned it to see if there is an obstruction? Is the ammo factory or handloads? Maybe OAL is too long or is fireformed for another rifle? Is the bolt properly installed?

Good luck. I'd like to hear what it is.
 
doc25 said:
This may sound stupid but have you looked down the barrel/cleaned it to see if there is an obstruction? Is the ammo factory or handloads? Maybe OAL is too long or is fireformed for another rifle? Is the bolt properly installed?

Good luck. I'd like to hear what it is.
Click to expand...

That's a very good thought Doc...I've seen the generous chamber dimentions of even a new .303 Enfield lead to large expansion of the brass...if he were using reloads that were neck sized only, that could be the issue right there.
 
happened to me hunting once, that buck almost got away as i was getting mad my bolt wouldnt close, threw it down, grabbed my buddies 7mm and kept my deer, soon after i realized that the bolt head was unscrewed 1 turn before i put the bolt back in. BUT if the casing fits and the bolt closes, i somewhat doubt the bolt head is the issue.
 
Well now I feel like an idiot. When I got the rifle it had a tag on the front sight saying "This gun has a cartridge loading defect, do not use" (I only paid $15 for it, I had nothing to lose!) I tried chambering a round, wouldn't work so I left it at that. This thread reminded me about making sure the bolthead was fully screwed on (I'm really careful about this if I disassemble a Lee), sure enough that was the problem. This bloody rifle has been sitting in my safe for years because of that! Now I have to take it out and try it.

Thanks for all of your help.

Brodie
 
Tudenom said:
That's bizzare, I wonder what the problem is!

You definately have $15 worth of parts though, it's still a pretty damn fine deal :)
Click to expand...

I think he said it was actually the bolt head being turned out one thread...it's nice when a problem can be solved that easily...we've all done that at one time or another.
 
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