No.4 7.62 NATO barrels.
- Thread starter LeeEnfieldNo.4_mk1
- Start date
Aren't some Indian Ishapores chambered in 7.62 NATO? I don't think you'd have to bubba much, you'd just have to find one of these rifles. I've heard from multiple sources that the chambers on .303 rifles weren't built to withstand the pressures of the modern 7.62 cartridge, I could be wrong (and probably am) but I'd look into that as well.
I also think a .308 enfield would be awesome. Have you seen the AIA .308 newly manufactured Enfield clones on Marstar? They're $800.00, but I totally want one
I also think a .308 enfield would be awesome. Have you seen the AIA .308 newly manufactured Enfield clones on Marstar? They're $800.00, but I totally want one
Yes the Indian 2A and 2A1's are chambered in 7.62x51 mm Nato. Those have new made chrome alloy receivers. A no1MkIII* receiver is not advised to be used for a conversion.
Most if not all the no4's that were used, were checked prior to going to the more powerful cartridge. The ususal no cracks, bends, wear, etc.
On building a 7.62 No4, well it would be cheaper to buy a DCRA rifle alread done.
Look at it this way,
Bubba no 4. $100- $150
Barrel $250 to $400
Chamber & barrel $100 min
Bluing? $100
Stock? $50 to $$$$$
Magazine $150
sights - $300
I have seen some decent DCRA rifles converted by CAL (Canadian Arsenals LTD) for around $600 to $800. Or by a AIA with the deal Marstar has.
Just a thought.
Pete
Most if not all the no4's that were used, were checked prior to going to the more powerful cartridge. The ususal no cracks, bends, wear, etc.
On building a 7.62 No4, well it would be cheaper to buy a DCRA rifle alread done.
Look at it this way,
Bubba no 4. $100- $150
Barrel $250 to $400
Chamber & barrel $100 min
Bluing? $100
Stock? $50 to $$$$$
Magazine $150
sights - $300
I have seen some decent DCRA rifles converted by CAL (Canadian Arsenals LTD) for around $600 to $800. Or by a AIA with the deal Marstar has.
Just a thought.
Pete
What about the L42A1?
I'm sitting here trying and trying to find the article I was thinking of, but then remembered it was in the issue of Surplus Firearms that I picked up from CT >< It has a section on there about the L42A1. Which were pretty much specially sellected No.4 (T) receivers re-barreled for 7.62 NATO and used by the UK Forces as their standard issue sniper rifle. So it can be done, you just need to see if your receiver is capable. They suggest taking it to a non-destructive test facility and get it checked out there (sounds like uber $$$ there though @.@) or you could just get a really good No.4 receiver and hope for the best @.@ Mind you I think that's what the Ishapore people did most of the time, might not have though. I may be able to scan that article if anyone wants a copy... don't want to do it if no one's interested. The writer did say that it was hard for them to improve on the No. 4 (T) rifle but the process that they did to make them 7.62NATO actually made them more accurate with very little recoil ^.^b but anywho... Yeah, those AIA Enfields look fricken sweet, but I don't have the coin to drop $800 on one O.O; Mind you we had enough to buy a $500 dog -.- (love her though, awesome little mini daschund) but still... *sigh* the joys of marriage
I'm sitting here trying and trying to find the article I was thinking of, but then remembered it was in the issue of Surplus Firearms that I picked up from CT >< It has a section on there about the L42A1. Which were pretty much specially sellected No.4 (T) receivers re-barreled for 7.62 NATO and used by the UK Forces as their standard issue sniper rifle. So it can be done, you just need to see if your receiver is capable. They suggest taking it to a non-destructive test facility and get it checked out there (sounds like uber $$$ there though @.@) or you could just get a really good No.4 receiver and hope for the best @.@ Mind you I think that's what the Ishapore people did most of the time, might not have though. I may be able to scan that article if anyone wants a copy... don't want to do it if no one's interested. The writer did say that it was hard for them to improve on the No. 4 (T) rifle but the process that they did to make them 7.62NATO actually made them more accurate with very little recoil ^.^b but anywho... Yeah, those AIA Enfields look fricken sweet, but I don't have the coin to drop $800 on one O.O; Mind you we had enough to buy a $500 dog -.- (love her though, awesome little mini daschund) but still... *sigh* the joys of marriage
Aren't some Indian Ishapores chambered in 7.62 NATO? I don't think you'd have to bubba much, you'd just have to find one of these rifles. I've heard from multiple sources that the chambers on .303 rifles weren't built to withstand the pressures of the modern 7.62 cartridge, I could be wrong (and probably am) but I'd look into that as well.
I also think a .308 enfield would be awesome. Have you seen the AIA .308 newly manufactured Enfield clones on Marstar? They're $800.00, but I totally want one
If I could find oe I wold not want to remove the barrel unless the receiver was screwed or something. I ain't no Bubbba. I did see those AIA Enfields, they do look good, I like how they are already drilled and come with a scope mount. No bubbaing necessary.
I know it might cost a little more to make one. Te barrel I saw on the EE was around $100 and the seller said it was mint. and I am going to try to make stocks. Oh well, If a 7.62 barrel comes up on the EE I might just get it. Since t would cost so much, I could make a long term project out of it.
Indian 2A and 2A1's are purpose built No.1 MK III's. Not conversions.
"...chambers on .303 rifles weren't..." They weren't, but it's not a rechambered .303 barrel. It's a new barrel with a .308" bore and made for a rimless cartridge extractor.
"...chambers on .303 rifles weren't..." They weren't, but it's not a rechambered .303 barrel. It's a new barrel with a .308" bore and made for a rimless cartridge extractor.
Somewhere I found a site where they had done Rockwell hardness tests and metallurgical analysis on the Ishapore 2A1 receiver vs the No 1 Mk III and...no difference...
Wish I could post it but no idea where it was, and it wasn't an issue since I'm not buying one.
Somewhere I found a site where they had done Rockwell hardness tests and metallurgical analysis on the Ishapore 2A1 receiver vs the No 1 Mk III and...no difference...
Wish I could post it but no idea where it was, and it wasn't an issue since I'm not buying one.
I believe that was in Warminster, maybe with regard to headspace tolerance issues?
I like to think of the 7.62mm Enfields as somewhat akin to the agricultural/commodity stocks :
The Ishapore's are like Viterra; less expensive, but with less "torque" in terms of accuracy/potentcy of loadings.
The AIA's are like Potash; the more expensive (when you factor-in shipping & taxes), but with impressive barrel options and "torque" in that it can take the hotter .308 loads.
The DCRA's are like Agrium, somewhere in the middle (still 7.62mm, but with considerable cache re: history and accuracy.
It's been a long night...
:The Ishapore's are like Viterra; less expensive, but with less "torque" in terms of accuracy/potentcy of loadings.
The AIA's are like Potash; the more expensive (when you factor-in shipping & taxes), but with impressive barrel options and "torque" in that it can take the hotter .308 loads.
The DCRA's are like Agrium, somewhere in the middle (still 7.62mm, but with considerable cache re: history and accuracy.
It's been a long night...
So ,How hard is it for a fellow to get his hands on 7.62 x 51 mm barrel ?
Is it like a needle in a haystack.
Is it like a needle in a haystack.
Pretty much. They do come up from time to time but you'll never find one if you look for it.
OK I might have a lead on a barrel, what is involved in the conversion? I know the extractor is different, is it just a matter of swapping them out? Are the barrels "drop in" or do I have to pay extra to have it machined? Are there Repro Sterling mags out there?
Lee Enfield
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Republic of Alberta
Somewhere I found a site where they had done Rockwell hardness tests and metallurgical analysis on the Ishapore 2A1 receiver vs the No 1 Mk III and...no difference...
Wish I could post it but no idea where it was, and it wasn't an issue since I'm not buying one.
PL said on the other board that his shop had done hardness testing, and found no difference between a No1MkIII and a 2A1.
Actually, that doesn't mean what he purported it to.
Anyone who works in a metallurgical trade should be able to tell you that you can have the same surface hardness between 2 steel alloys, but have vastly different metallurgical properties (tensile strengths and brittleness ect.).
In fact PL claimed that 2A1s are just rebarreled No1MkIIIs.
Actually the 2A1 has it's ejector screw in a considerably different location, making it quite clear that a 2A1 is not a reused receiver.
Lee Enfield
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Republic of Alberta
The DCRA conversions consisted of hardness testing & magnafluxing the receiver & bolt, and replacing the barrel.
The extractor & magazine were just re-used .303 parts; as they work just fine for a single loader.
stencollector
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- shilo MB, the armpit of Canada
Good extraction can be had by grinding a little bit away from the inside edge of a normal .303 extractor. This allows the extractor to come in a little bit extra to account for the rimless ammunition. With a bit of care, the ejector screw can also be made to work: you just have to find that magic spot between binding up the bolt and not ejecting.
Repro sterling mags can be had from collectors source, although you can usually find a real sterling mag for the same price (or cheaper) if you hunt around a while.
Occasioanlly the DCRA rifles can still be found at very decent prices. It almost makes building your own not worth while. By the time you add up the costs of the mag, the barrel, and a PH5C rear site, along with the donor rifle, you are likely at or over the cost of a DCRA specimen.
I have bought barrels in the past from $100- $250 . I have bought complete rifles from $200- $750. Its just what you are willing to pay. If you don't want the number stamp on the barrel. Just buy a new barrel and have it fittindg on the action. There is some very high priced barrels out there. its just how much you want to part .
There's one currently for sale in the Quatermaster Stores ..
Lee Enfield No.4 7.62 barrel..NEW in the whitehttp://www.milsurps.com/vbclassified.php?do=ad&id=1139
Regards,
Badger
If the barrel was the one advertised above it's Canadian. These were produced by Canadian Arsenals "CA" on the bren gun line .....believe there 6 groove right hand twist 1 in 14 ....all were sold in the white and have bayonet lugs These shoot quite well and were offerred as replacement barrels for target shoots as well as export to the UK. I've had several of these....quite often confused with the 4 groove Sterling barrels and of course DCRA barrels. Breech of barrel may be stamped "308" on face.
