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Looking thru PO Ackley's boo and daydreaming...The 33 WCF gets 2260 with a 200 grain bullet, the 348 over 2400 fps. But, the 348 doesn't have a good bullet selection. Also, Ackley says the large of amount of taper on the 348 case contributes to a lot of backthrust, and that brought about the Improved version of the 348.
So, what would happen if a gun looney had the SMLE rebarreled to the 348 Improved, but necked up to 358? That would suppossedly reduce backthrust, which I am guessing is a good idea with that one lug action, you have good case capacity and a good bullet selection.
since it's a rimmed case, to form cases, all you'd have to do is run 348 cases through a 358 neck size die. Would make a good project for a rifle looney, perhaps.

Fred

Didn't the scout Frederick Burnham have a Lee-Metford in a .40 caliber of some mfg. I cannot remember the proper nomenclature of the ctg. But if I remember it was some .40 based upon the .303 case......

BN

Northfork makes a .348 bullet.

A .35 Imp would be a good one. Another possibility is the .360 #2; but it may be too long?

Jeff

No shortage of Barnes 250gr 348 Originals. That is what I shoot in my 348AI and get a chrono'ed 2550 from them.

Looks like it will be something based on a 348 case. I'd like to go to 40 but I don't know. The ballistics from the 348Imp and the 375/444 are pretty impressive

There are a whole bunch of Aussie Wildcats on the .303 case dating to a time when it was illegal for civiliant to own a militaty chambering.

The case was necked up and down, shortened and blown out. Should be something on the net or Bertram Brass could have cases ready to go.

JW

the lee enfield #1 or #4 is not a single lug action.

Here is my project under way,recrating a Lee Speed.The donor has a "fair" barrel,however if it's too bad,it will become a .375/303

gonna have to double check my #4 but im pretty sure it is......the only lug is the long one behind the bold head the length of the bolt body....the "lug" that the extractor is attached to doesnt lock into anything.....nothing for the bolt handle to lock into either....that pretty well leaves one lug, its a big arse lug, but it is only one lug....

The Lee Enfield has two locking lugs, a small one on the rear part of the bolt that locks into a recess in the receiver, and the large rib on the other side of the bolt that abuts the receiver bridge.

chit.....gonna have to quit saying chit before looking and double checking....sure enough there is a lil 2nd lug

I'm relatively certain Mr. Paul could successfully polish a turd and make it shine.

That is a piece of work!! Great lookin' gun!!

What colour are you going to paint the stock Phil?

So a 358 Winchester would b an easy conversion. i do like my 444 Marlin wildcats in the T/C Contender - the 358 Bellm and the 30 Bellm, though of course they are loaded to much lower pressures than the SMLE could withstand.

No SMLE should be converted to a 308 based case ... Indian 2A rifles being the exception as they were different metallurgically. The No4 was converted to 7.62Nato but required a different bolt head and target rifles were also crack tested prior to being allowed into competition.

In SMLEs I know of a 375/444 working well, and in No4s I've seen 303/35s which are a very simple conversion. Another very handy SMLE conversion is using a take-off ex-mil 7x57 barrel and recessing the face for a rim. The 7x57R operates at lower pressures and will function through a SMLE, making a delightfully light and mild gun to shoot.
Cheers...
Con

Oh, sweet Jesus... I'm in love..........

Describe the "useless action". My curiosity is peaked, and I've an affliction for Enfields....

.405 Winchester would be EASY....