Re-Barreling a Lee Enfield - Caliber options?

[Freyr_255]

I have a couple old lee enfields that are taking up space and not really worth selling. I have a No1 and No4 that I was contemplating re-barreling to something new and was wondering if there were any calibers that I wouldn't have to completely modify/replace the bolt face to accommodate(well..modifying is probably OK..replacing I don't want to spend the money on)? I'm fine grinding out the action and such to accommodate size if needed.

So...options? Any smaller calibers that would work well in this action?

 

[captonion]

6mm/303 Epps, 25/303 Epps, 6.5/303 Epps, or 270/303 Epps..I think a 444Marlin conversion would be interesting..

My friend has an Epps converteted 225 Winchester Enfield...Mag braized inside the original Enfield mag..Interesting rig..

 

[jsmurd]

Or, for something completely different, the 375 Flanged Nitro Express. Pictures of this one can be viewed on Kynamco website .write up in COTW. cheers

 

[locke it]

.45 acp.

 

[woodchopper]

45-70 is a fairly popular conversion

 

[jeff270]

Make everybody mad and do 30-40 Krag
or 6.5x 53R (dutch manlicher) easy to make from .303
.45 acp would be pretty cool.

 

[mbogo3]

You would be mad having a 30-40 Krag as Winchester does a brass run once a year with almost all of it remaining Stateside...........a .30-303 or .338/.303 rebore.Harold

 

[Freyr_255]

Thanks for the input. This actually got me thinking...45-90 perhaps? Or 45-100?

Anyone have some specs on those cartridges at all? Guessing rim diameter is the same or similar and it's just longer(searching is taking longer than 30 seconds so figured I'd ask)?

And while I'm at it does anyone have input on whether a 50-70 would work? It's looking like it might be a bit too large but figured I'd ask for input. Really this is new territory for me all around.

 

[spooksar]

I have one in 45/70 it's an interesting build

 

[Freyr_255]

I have one in 45/70 it's an interesting build

Anything you don't like about it or does it just feel like a bolt action 45-70?

 

[Johnny_Canuck]

.22-303 improved, be some old school speedy varmint whacking occuring after that

 

[got to go]

I've been toying with the idea of a 45 Colt single shot just for plunking. Seems like it would be a easy conversion. I would love to see one of "Beaters" tankers in a 45 Colt "Hint Hint"

 

[TheTooner]

Re-barrel them in .303British. That's the simplest.

 

[locke it]

Re-barrel them in .303British. That's the simplest.

Hey, if we all did that who would we trade our .303 barrels off to? Hhhhhmmmmmm?

 

[RRCo.]

I did happen to notice that ten rounds of 6.5x55 fit very nicely inside a 7.62mm Enfield mag. Just need a 3/8" or so spacer at the back. New barrels are available, threaded for Model 96 Swedes from Tradex. Some machining required no doubt.

 

[TheTooner]

Hey, if we all did that who would we trade our .303 barrels off to? Hhhhhmmmmmm?

Me. If I could get more barrels cheaply enough, I'd re-barrel more Enfields in .303British.

If I could find enough Enfields that need re-barrelling.

 

[jeff270]

I just remembered ,in South Africa they have a cartrige called 6mm Musgrave.
for guys like the OP.

 

[rookie wildcat]

I'd go with a .338-303 Improved, esp on a P-14 action. That'd be nice and definitely different.

 

[connexion123]

I have one in 45/70 it's an interesting build

I as well want to hear some stories. What was the hardest part about the build. Any issues now?

 

[roba]

I've always wondered about re boring to .358 just to clean up existing barrel.