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Years ago I read an article by Ken Waters about the Enfield sporters from the interwar period.He had one as I remember in 404 Jefferys. I have a hankering to build one. Anybody have a good barrel maker and/or a reason it can't be done? (Other than the action is too short) What would be a good big bore to convert a useless action standing in the corner?
Last edited by drducati; 04/21/10.
Anything Worth Doing Is Worth Overdoing
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Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
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they converted British Pattern 14 and US Model 1917 Enfields not SMLE's......
A serious student of the "Armchair Safari" always looking for Africa/Asia hunting books
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No. The one Waters wrote about was an Enfield. I remember the funny stock design. It may not have been a Jefferys but it was a big bore round. He made the case that the action was not used more because the British gun makers didn't want the competition from the military action. I have several P-17 conversions. Almost bought another one last Sunday.
Anything Worth Doing Is Worth Overdoing
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Campfire Ranger
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cant see anyone doing anything but a 45-70, 444 Marlin, 405 Win or similar on a SMLE......
A serious student of the "Armchair Safari" always looking for Africa/Asia hunting books
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Campfire Oracle
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Campfire Oracle
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I saw a cool one once in a .375 "express" IIRC...NOT the H&H but a shorter fatter .375..it was neato!
ingwe
"...the left considers you vermin, and they'll kill you given the chance..." Bristoe
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There is a 416 wildcat based on the 444 marlin that might be a good choice. Even a 356 Win might be an interesting project. The 375 Express is also a Ken Waters version from a 444 Marlin or an Ackley Version from a 348 Winchester. The Ackley version is lots hotter.
Last edited by drducati; 04/21/10.
Anything Worth Doing Is Worth Overdoing
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Campfire Ranger
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doesnt someone on here have one he did in 45-120 or similar?
A serious student of the "Armchair Safari" always looking for Africa/Asia hunting books
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Campfire Greenhorn
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Campfire Greenhorn
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Gibbs rifle company used to do 45/70 conversions, the SMLE action is not big enough for the 404 Jeffery. http://www.gibbsrifle.com/sport_speciality_.html
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Campfire Ranger
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A 450 or 500 Alaskan, which are both based on the 348 case would be a pretty cool smelly! 348 case is a bit fatter than the 45/70 so one would be just about maxing the available room in the rifle. Even a 348AI would be a really neat timber rifle good to over 200 yards or so on elk and similar. I am getting 2550 with 250gr Barnes Originals in my model 71 348AI.
LOVE God, LOVE your family, LOVE your country, LIKE guns and sports.
About 2016 team "R" candidates "We definitely need a crew with a sack of balls the size of hot water bottles, bloviated estrogen leaking feel-gooders need not apply." Gunner 500
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Make a visit at the NitroExpress LeeSpeed forum. http://forums.nitroexpress.com/postlist.php?Cat=0&Board=leeSome interesting photos and discussion that might give you some more inspiration. Bfly
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Campfire Tracker
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Here is a recent one done by Lon Paul in 348. Lon plans on using 250 gr and 280gr bullets
Phil Shoemaker Alaska Master Guide, Alaska Hunter Ed Instructor FAA Master pilot www.grizzlyskinsofalaska.comAnyone who claims the 30-06 is not effective has either not used one, or else is unwittingly commenting on their marksmanship.
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Campfire Greenhorn
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There was an article a few years ago, I think in Gun Digest, on converting an SMLE to .45-90. And I have had, for at least a decade, a Douglas barrel, threaded for SMLE, in .405 WCF. I will probably never do anything with it.
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Campfire Outfitter
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I picked up a beat jungle carbine barreled action that I have considered rebarreling to a .405 Win for sometime now. Smilodon would you be interested in parting with that barrel by any chance?
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Campfire Tracker
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I was hoping you'd post that photo, Phil! I love that rifle!
Jeff
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Campfire Tracker
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I am hoping to get my hands on it during spring bear season and will get you more photos and if I can trade him out of it will show it to you.
Phil Shoemaker Alaska Master Guide, Alaska Hunter Ed Instructor FAA Master pilot www.grizzlyskinsofalaska.comAnyone who claims the 30-06 is not effective has either not used one, or else is unwittingly commenting on their marksmanship.
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Campfire Tracker
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Got any idea about the pressure limitations of that SMLE action?
Fred
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Phil,
If you can lay hands on that rifle, I'd love to look it over. One of the coolest, and truly unique custom rifles I've seen.
Fred,
I think the SAAMI max pressure of the .303 British is somewhere around 45-50kpsi, so that's probably a good ballpark limit for the SMLE. The .348, as this rifle is done, is a pretty good fit. Another good one, would be the .33 Win. A little better selection of .338" bullets out there.
Jeff
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According to Karl Kleimenhagen's Pressure Standards page, the .303 British crusher pressure specifications are SAAMI 45,000 psi and CIP 46,000 psi. The later piezoelectric runs a little higher at 49,000 and 53,000 respectively. ( http://kwk.us)
Got it covered with the 22 LR, 30-06, and 12 gauge. The rest are just for fun. NRA Life Member Never let the truth get in the way of a good story.
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Campfire Outfitter
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Seems to me that awhile back one of the guys on this board or another one had an SMLE or an Enfield 17 that had been rebarreled to .30-40 Krag.
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Campfire Tracker
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The Brits rechambered them in 308 NATO
Phil Shoemaker Alaska Master Guide, Alaska Hunter Ed Instructor FAA Master pilot www.grizzlyskinsofalaska.comAnyone who claims the 30-06 is not effective has either not used one, or else is unwittingly commenting on their marksmanship.
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