Lithgow smle lll rebuild questions

[fightinghamster]

Back to the range with a new bolt that actually fits properly and isn’t loose, the group is down from 4 feet to about 10 inches and it isn’t sticking as much, however it’s keyholing something fierce, I have no idea if it did that before because it never even got on target before, I’m also using PPU ammo and have never used it before so I don’t know if it’s any good

 

[Claven2]

Is it boat tail ammo? If so, consider trying flat based bullets. Also visually check the muzzle - is it worn, potentially lopsidedly?

 

[fightinghamster]

Is it boat tail ammo? If so, consider trying flat based bullets. Also visually check the muzzle - is it worn, potentially lopsidedly?

Muzzle is definitely worn, I’m assuming the barrel is shot out and the rounds don’t spin enough to stabilize, not sure if it’s possible to get new barrels or have the barrel redlined

 

[45ACPKING]

you would be amazed what a fresh crown can accomplish on some barrels.
I would certainly get the muzzle inspected and recrowned before proceeding with any other decisions on that barrel.

 

[fightinghamster]

you would be amazed what a fresh crown can accomplish on some barrels.
I would certainly get the muzzle inspected and recrowned before proceeding with any other decisions on that barrel.

You mean recrown it? Wouldn’t that shorten the barrel, I’ll have to look into it and see if I can do it myself

 

[Claven2]

You can get a recessed crown done. Before doing anything though, try different ammo. Ideally reloads with a flat based bullet.

 

[fightinghamster]

You can get a recessed crown done. Before doing anything though, try different ammo. Ideally reloads with a flat based bullet.

Twist my arm why don’t ya lol, I’ve got a bunch of speer flat base soft point I’ve been meaning to work up some loads for my various 303s with

 

[45ACPKING]

ya , as claven2 said, recess crown.
the flat bullet base suggestion is also worth a try as I know , many of these rifles like the flat base bullets.
This thread is of interest to me because a bit of a hobby of mine is finding lithgow sporters that have no restorable value as far as collectors go. Most are already shortened a bit or drilled and tapped for a scope like the weaverT0-1. I give them new purpose as hunting rifles after a make-over.
The lithgows can be very good rifles and are known to have thicker barrels and 5 groove bores which theoretically equates to better accuracy. This is the main reason I suggest having the crown looked at ,because I have been down this road many times with lithgow barrels.
The 2 groove barrels definately seem to perform better with the flat base bullets but with those 5 groove barrels, I have also had excellent results with spitzer boat tails. Worth trying though for sure.

 

[fightinghamster]

ya , as claven2 said, recess crown.
the flat bullet base suggestion is also worth a try as I know , many of these rifles like the flat base bullets.
This thread is of interest to me because a bit of a hobby of mine is finding lithgow sporters that have no restorable value as far as collectors go. Most are already shortened a bit or drilled and tapped for a scope like the weaverT0-1. I give them new purpose as hunting rifles after a make-over.
The lithgows can be very good rifles and are known to have thicker barrels and 5 groove bores which theoretically equates to better accuracy. This is the main reason I suggest having the crown looked at ,because I have been down this road many times with lithgow barrels.
The 2 groove barrels definately seem to perform better with the flat base bullets but with those 5 groove barrels, I have also had excellent results with spitzer boat tails. Worth trying though for sure.

I love enfield sporters in general, the prices are great and I love the enfield action, I’ve already got a no1mk3 someone chopped the barrel to 18 inches on so I don’t want to chop this one and it’s got the mag cutoff ideally I’d like to eventually either make it a full wood or a sporter with all the features I like,( round caulking peice, mag cutoff, windage adjustable rear sight) I’ve got plans for the short one that involve sacrilege and maybe a holo site

 

[hondroid]

Back to the range with a new bolt that actually fits properly and isn’t loose, the group is down from 4 feet to about 10 inches and it isn’t sticking as much, however it’s keyholing something fierce, I have no idea if it did that before because it never even got on target before, I’m also using PPU ammo and have never used it before so I don’t know if it’s any good

Keyholing from the muzzle wear. The gas burst from behind the bullet as it exits the muzzle is inconsistent as the bore wear from cleaning rods or pull throughs has enlarged the muzzle and the gas escapes sooner than normal.

At least you got the groups to under a foot. That’s a bonus.