Author Topic: SMLE #4 Mk1 question (Read 750 times)

Weatherby · « **on:** October 21, 2003, 03:41:53 AM »

I am having trouble getting the bolt to close all the way. It closes fine when it is not loaded but I cannot get the bolt to lock down all the way when I chamber a round. I thought maybe it was hangin up on the mag but it still wouldn't work with the mag removed. Is there something wrong with the bolt? Anyone have any ideas? I would be grateful for any help.

Jack Crevalle · « **Reply #1 on:** October 21, 2003, 04:18:44 AM »

It sounds like a headspace problem. I read somewhere that replacement bolt faces were made in various sizes to correct this by swapping the bolt face. You should have it checked by a gunsmith.

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Weatherby · « **Reply #2 on:** October 21, 2003, 04:47:56 AM »

I have shot it twice before with no problem. I tried to close it with a fired case and it wouldn't close. Could I have done something to the bolt when I cleaned it? I haven't diassembled the bolt or anything like that. Just removed it and wiped it down. Anymore ideas?

Mikey · « **Reply #3 on:** October 21, 2003, 06:13:33 AM »

Weatherby: First, check to see that the bolt head is screwed all the way onto the bolt and that it didn't take an extra turn to the loose side when you last cleaned it and put it back but, if you can close it on an empty chamber I think the problem you encounter is due to the fired case(s) you were trying to chamber. I have that problem with my SMLEs on occassion - trying to close the bolt on a fired case, but they chamber loaded (meaning resized) cases properly.

SMLEs may have generous chambers, which sometimes lead to the idea that there is a headspace problem when one does not exist. What may happen is that a generous chamber may allow a fired case to round off the shoulder a bit or even lengthen it a bit, making closing the bolt on a fired case impossible. Again, try cycling the bolt with new ammo or resized cases and see what happens - I think that might resolve your concerns. HTH. Mikey.

savageT · « **Reply #4 on:** October 21, 2003, 06:17:36 AM »

Take a cartridge and blacken the case and bullet with a "Marks-a-Lot", then carefully load it into the chamber and close the bolt (as far as you can). Open the bolt, pull the shell out and examine it closely for any contact points that have disturbed the black coating. Does it have any marks on the bullet (as in rifling touching), or does it have marks on the shoulder where it normally would "register" the shell? Let us know what you discover.

Jim

Weatherby · « **Reply #5 on:** October 22, 2003, 04:20:02 AM »

Solved the problem. The bolt face needed to be screwed in farther. It works perfectly now. Thanks alot for the help. Saved me a lot of frustration.

I have another question. Is it normal on a SMLE to have the bottom 1/4 inch of a fired case to be a little larger diameter than the rest.
I know the chambers aren't made to SAAMI specs but the ammo is. I have only shot factory ammo in this rifle. I wouldn't suspect over pressuring but could it happen with factory stuff? Thanks for any info.

John Traveler · « **Reply #6 on:** October 22, 2003, 04:54:53 AM »

Yes, Weatherby,

.303 British ammunition is loaded to SAAMI MAXIMUM cartridge specifications, while the military chambers were reamed to MINIMUM chamber specifications. During wartime production there can be several thousandths of an inch difference in these two specifications.

Your slightly oversized-diameter case heads are no worry, as long as there is no distinct bulging of the case. It's quite normal to find cases fired in surplus rifles in any caliber to be a little larger than the case head diameter before firing.

John

savageT · « **Reply #7 on:** October 22, 2003, 06:01:28 AM »

....John Traveler you answered a long, burning concern of mine about my Swedish M38 in 6.5x55mm. Every fired case head shows a bright, shiny ring around the case. I always blamed it on the ammo I purchased (thin walled cases- Sellier & Bellot).

So eventually, it turned out to be a headspacing problem afterall. Glad you found out before something serious happened.

Jim

sambar02 · « **Reply #8 on:** November 22, 2003, 04:32:49 AM »

I think Mikey is on the right track when i had my No.4 converted to the 303 Epps i pulled it down after fire forming 200 rounds to give it a good clean,i didn't turn the bolt head all the way back,gave me a scare but after a little thinking remembered what i had done and turned it all the way back and it worked just fine.