Long Branch in 308?

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Noshow

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I bought a Long Branch in an Estate Sale I while back and I was going to take it to the range yesterday to try it out. I thought I would cycle a few rounds before I left and discovered that a 303 cartridge will not fit in the chamber. I can't see any obstruction and a 308 rounds sits in the chamber like is supposed to. It looks like the rifle was set up for competitive shooting as it had half a Parker Hale peep site. The rifle I am referring to is the one in the middle of the bottom picture and the other pic is to show how much of the round sticks out.
 

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Your rifle is one of the ones converted to 7.62x51 at Canadian Arsenals Limited (aka Long Branch) in the 1970s. Note the serial number and marks on the right side of the receiver ring. These were used for DCRA and PRA SR(B) competition.
 
I had the same experience many years ago
Bought a Enfield no 4 sniper in the box covered in grease and 303 shells
Turned out to be a 308
 
Pretty amazing story. Take that as a "no cost learning lesson" - the 303 was too big to fit. Multiple posts over the years of funny things picked up on various ranges - sure looked like 308 Win cases fired in 30-06 chambers, 7x61 cases fired in 7mm Rem Mag chambers, and so on. If you had no reason to know what the rifle was chambered for, and simply shoved in some random cartridge, at least you have all your fingers and your face left intact. Good on you. Hopefully that you learn from that and pass on the message!!!
 
Never thought of that till you mentioned it. The people that sold the rifle didn't know any better, there are no markings on the rifle to indicate the change I guess I was fortunate to know that these conversions took place. I am glad I knew enough to question that and there are people here that are able to help me out. I guess now I will have to get some 308 ammo.
 
One dead giveaway is the muzzle. Normally, they have no bayonet lugs and it should be stamped "7.62 CA" with the stylized maple leaf. If you paid less than $1500. you did a major score.
 
LawrenceN said:
One dead giveaway is the muzzle. Normally, they have no bayonet lugs and it should be stamped "7.62 CA" with the stylized maple leaf. If you paid less than $1500. you did a major score.
Click to expand...

That's not always the case. The "7.62 CA" you speak of are DCRA barrels.
 
bdft said:
My Longbranch 308 has Longbranch struck out and was FTRed in 1954 at Fazackerly. Still has the bayonet lug and came with a 303 mag when I bought it. Maybe a home grown conversion. No markings anywhere to indicate DCRA or 308.
Click to expand...

There is a C with an arrow inside, and an arrow beside the serial number. Now that I know what I am looking it makes sense and would be a tell tale sign for me.
 
You have a 7.62 Lee Enfield that is DCRA converted, through AJ Parker or Fultons. Or done by minor company. Or converted by someone who wanted their .303 to shoot .308 by changing barrel and maybe more.
Some 7.62 nato barrels have lugs, some do not. I look in the bore from breech. If twist is opposite a .303 barrel's and the Commencement of Rifleing is quick, and about 30 cal, it is a 308 barrel.
Some barrels have #4 profile AJ Parker,some do not Shilen etc.
Up until 1995 AJ Parker sold 7.62 Lee Enfield Conversion Kit in plywood box for 225 Pounds+VAT+ ship+duty+GST.
Seen many, converted a couple.
 
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