Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Mausers and Military Rifles SMLE with a worn out barrel- - - - -

One of my friends has a MK III SMLE that, in his words, "Patterns like my Model 12". He believes that decades of shooting Cordite ammo with little if any cleaning has worn out the rifling. I haven't put a borescope down the barrel yet, but that's going to be the next thing to do. Assuming there's any rifling left, what's the opinion of the collective on casting some slightly oversize gas checked bullets to try to get a grip on whatever rifling is left? He's mostly interested in being able to do a little paper punching without having to do a rebore to 303-8MM, or a rebarrel. I'm able to modify a set of Lee bullet molds to drop a .315" diameter bullet, and do the same thing to a LuberSizer die.

Give it a good cleaning then scope it to see what's left. The cleaning should include a good copper solvent to strip it down to bare metal. This is a good idea if switching to cast lead bullets.

If you're already doing a deep bore cleaning, I'd recommend Dyna-tek bore coat to help protect whatever is remaining of the rifling. That is if this product can still be found.

I'd be surprised the barrel of a Lee Enfield is shot out but it's possible if shot enough. Typically these have a very well defined groove and land system that handles wear very well.

If it's really shot out and not just really fouled, I'd just swap the barrel. Criterion makes a nice, short chambered Enfield barrel.

.35/.303?

Just looked at the Criterion website- - - - -I'm sure their short-chambered barrels are probably worth the price, ($400.00+) but that's a real incentive to try to make the original one shoot a little better! I'm also going to look at the muzzle crown- - - -There might be a ding or three there.

I guess I am behind the times on Enfield prices but is it worth buying a $400 barrel and having it installed? Your friend might do better just buying a new one and parting out the other. Or finding a sporterized rifle and swapping the furniture.

I do agree that a good scrubbing should be done first.

Oh absolutely. I think where I'm at nowadays is if I can save a surplus rifle, I'll just spend the money and save the rifle. Granted, that might not be the best mentality, but there it is.

JES does a rebore to 35-303.

http://35caliber.com/8.html

If you are going casts larger bullet for the current rifling, get an idea for bore/groove diameter ;even though it is likely a 5-groove barrel). You may have to go to something even bigger, like a 0.316" cast bullet.

Consider NOE moulds or Arsenal moulds (you can specify the bullet diameter fro. Arsenal for no extra charge to custom fit it to your barrel needs.

I built one up on 7mm Mauser rimmed from a smooth bore smle.

I'm wondering how many serviceable SMLE barrels are just sitting under benches in gunshops throughout the US

Probably a lot fewer than there were 60 years ago, due to the lower number of gunsmiths with benches.

Cast bullets and pitted barrels are an exercise in futility. Smooth and worn is winnable. The scope will tell you.
There are also some .318 jacketed bullets for the original 8x57 around from time to time…should you really want to experiment.
F01

I'm getting set up to cast some .315 diameter bullets with a gas check. I'll do a lapping job with automotive valve grinding compound to minimize the pits, if there's any rifling left at all. Haven't borescoped the barrel yet- - - -busy on automotive projects at the moment!

The Shotgun News parts adds had No 1 in new condition in the 80/90s.
I got a new inwax No1 barrel from numrich years ago and some others at gun shows,
After you get the barrel you have to get it put on, I had to learn how.
Not many SMLE /Enfield got rebarreled vs the Mauser and Springfield.
Old gunsmith buddy saw one coming in, told em to bring it in the back door.
He didn’t have a back door.

just did some googling and not a single SMLE 303 barrel to be found.............

Apex has some listed, for what they’re asking I need to see if I have any hiding.

I’d send it to JES and do a 35-303 or a 375-303. I believe Ken Waters had a 303 rebored to 375. I’d have to dig out my Pet Loads books. Either would fun and useful. I could see doing a 9.3-303 also.

The No1 barrel has a rear sight cross pin hole that would limit the rebore caliber size. Would have to ask JES.

I handled 3 Lee Enfields today and they all appeared to have rough barrels

Contact szihn, he's retiring from gunsmithing.

Never mind I see you have contacted Steve.