Strange Desire!

[modrifle3]

Does anyone know of a currently produced rifle in .303 British. I used to own an enfield and liked the caliber...not sure why, just did?

 

[wapiti22]

there are some Ruger No.1's in this caliber I believe

 

[rangerbob]

Ruger has made some #1A's in 303 British, I have one. A nice rifle. Bob! 8) 8)

 

[RJ556]

I have "read" a lot of complaints about the accuracy of those 303 #1's. Also some say the bore/groove diameter varies rifle to rifle and they have a quite long throat. If indeed true, that is too bad, because the 303 Brit is one of the most classic cartridges that a #1 could be chambered in. Of course you may just luck out and get an accurate one. Another thing I've heard is that they seem to shoot better with the heavier bullets.

 

[modrifle3]

Thinking about converting a single shot 7.62x39 to .303. Any thoughts on this?

 

[RJ556]

I don't see why not. I was comparing the two rounds. Both show bullet diameter as being .312", max pressure of the 7.62x39 is around 51000 psi, the Brit is around 49,000. The case head diameter ( not rim diameter) is about .447" on the x39 and .460" on the Brit, so I believe the 303 reamer would clean up all of the x39 chamber. I would think that after the re-chamber, you should only need the extractor re-cut for the slightly larger diameter case head and rim of the 303. That sounds like an interesting project. It would be great if you could get the chamber cut with a reamer that did not cut the throat at the same time. That way, you could have the throat cut separately and not so long so you would get real good accuracy from all range of bullet weights and not just from the longest bullets. What single shot are you thinking of re-chambering? RJ

 

[eveled]

Just buy another Enfield, My no.4 is the smoothest bolt action gun I have ever shot, It is a lot nicer than my 1903. I couldn't sporterize one myself, but if I find one already done for cheap money I'd buy it in a heart beat. Ed

 

[RJ556]

I've never owned an Enfield or any rifle chambered for the 303, but mostly all I hear is praise about about them.

 

[modrifle3]

Finding an enfield that isn't $500 plus in the shape I want is the issue. I really am not sure which single shot I will use. I would like an H&R if it was ever made in 7.62x39.

 

[modrifle3]

Also my enfield had such a huge chamber that every case fire formed to much larger than spec. The research I did said that there was a big variance in the .303 chamber during production. I figured making one would be more accurate.

 

[rangerbob]

The British 303 Mark III, IV, and V would have slightly oversize chambers to facilitate feeding ammo under combat conditions, muddy or dirty ammo. They were not concerned about reloading the empties, just insuring the rifle went bang every time. Remington used to import a Russian made single shot rifle in 7.62 x 39 as well as other calibers. I've only shot my #1 with the iron sights and aging eyes, but it grouped as well as I could shoot. Remember that the 303 was originally issued with round nose 215/220 grain bullets. Before WWI the bullet was changed to a 174 grain boat tail and remained that way until it was phased out. I use the Hornady 174 FMJ or 180 RN when available. I've also used the 150 Hornady SP. Hornady and Sierra both list 174 match bullets as well. Loaded in a Ruger #1, the 303 matches any of its contemporaries. I suspect Ruger uses the same bore specs as the Mini-30. Bob!! 8)

 

[Ladobe]

I'll post about mine as it has kind of an interesting history.

It was a Christmas gift from the whole family to my Dad in 1955 to hunt mule deer/elk with. I went with my uncles to buy it, it was selected as the best from a big wooden water barrel full of them. I have it recorded that they paid $14 for it w/bayonet and sling. To reduce weight for packing in the high Rockies, famly friend PO Ackley semi-sporterized it for him. All he did was remove top/bottom wood, bands/metal, recrowned the barrel and refinish the stock AFAIK. This one is a Savage-made Lee-Enfield No. 4 Mk I*. It is stamped "US PROPERTY", but no Savage Lee-Enfields (No. 4 Mk I* or No. 4 Mk I) were ever issued to the US military. They were supplied to the UK under the Lend-Lease program during the Second World War; the markings existed solely to maintain the pretence that American equipment was being lent to the UK rather than permanently sold to them.

I don't beleive it has been shot since 1966 or 1967(the last time he went hunting). While he gave it to me years before he died, I no longer hunted big game by then, only predators and varmints. So I have not shot it since my teens.

 

[modrifle3]

That is nice.

 

[Snake45]

Finding an enfield that isn't $500 plus in the shape I want is the issue.

If you keep your eyes and ears open and put out the word, you should eventually turn up a slightly "bubba-ed" but still serviceable and presentable one for cheap at a gun shop, pawn shop, yard sale, club bulletin board, etc. :wink: