i recently traded for a 1943 longbranch lee enfield that is a 308 conversion.it has the proper magazine ,extractor and machining marks to allow for 308 feeding.it will also feed and extract 308 ammo as well.can fit 10 rounds of 308 in the magazine.but when i took off the barrel wood handguard to to look for a 7.62/308 marking i found a 303 marked barrel with proper proofing marks on it.was this know to happen and is it safe to shoot.did research that during the war tolerances varied for the barrels.just need some info about it.thanks to all who reply
Longbranch mk4 no1 lee enfield 308 conversion with 303 barrel
- Thread starter blackie9999
- Start date
Could you tell us exactly what the proof markings are. Something not adding up...if it's a 308 chamber a 303 won't come close to dropping in. Is the barrel full 25.25" long? If the barrel been cut back and rechambered I'd be very concerned about firing it. Need some more info. Ron
Can you post some pictures ?
I have heard of barrels like this . most likly .303's converted to shoot 7.62 blanks for reenactors. have the chamber checked by a proper gunsmith, if you are unsure. there could be serious safty issues with live ammo.
I have heard of barrels like this . most likly .303's converted to shoot 7.62 blanks for reenactors. have the chamber checked by a proper gunsmith, if you are unsure. there could be serious safty issues with live ammo.
Measure the thing, too. There WERE nominal .303 barrels that actually gauged .300" bore diameter; the early 1905 Rosses were ALL like that. Not that I'm saying that you have a Ross barrel, but nominal and actual are two very different things.
There are some VERY good people on here. You need to post photos, friend.
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There are some VERY good people on here. You need to post photos, friend.
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Slug the barrel. Quicker and easier than doing a chamber cast. Hammer a cast .30 calibre bullet or suitably sized lead fishing sinker through the barrel with a 1/4" brass rod and a plastic mallet then measure it with a micrometer. A .303 barrel will measure between .311" and .315".
A 7.62/.308 barrel should be clearly stamped as such, but not under the stock.
Your 'Space' bar and 'Shift' key don't work.
A 7.62/.308 barrel should be clearly stamped as such, but not under the stock.
Your 'Space' bar and 'Shift' key don't work.
There are a number of cases where a new .308 chamber seems to have been cut into a .303 barrel. Can you get an ordinary spike bayonet on the end of the barrel or has it been shortened by this process?
I have one the same as your. Converted to .308 but still has a .303 barrel
I have one the same as your. Converted to .308 but still has a .303 barrel
....IIRC ! 
I'm getting old......
...my memory (and hearing ! 
) ain't what it used to be..........
In the old American Culver Jauster Enfield forum TerryinVictoria had a well known Canadian shooter there to answer a few questions.
If I understood him correctly he rechambered some of his No.4s to the wildcat cartridge of .308/303. Or a .308 necked up to .303 and simply put he wanted to use 7.62 NATO cartridge cases and still shoot .303 bullets. The idea was the brass would last much longer because it was rated for higher pressures. I'm assuming this person was military or had connections with the military and it shops and supplies of once fired 7.62 brass.
Has any of you heard of this before or did my hearing fail me?
If I understood him correctly he rechambered some of his No.4s to the wildcat cartridge of .308/303. Or a .308 necked up to .303 and simply put he wanted to use 7.62 NATO cartridge cases and still shoot .303 bullets. The idea was the brass would last much longer because it was rated for higher pressures. I'm assuming this person was military or had connections with the military and it shops and supplies of once fired 7.62 brass.
Has any of you heard of this before or did my hearing fail me?
