Author Topic: Suitable cartridges for SMLE actions (Read 1811 times)

kombi1976 · « **on:** October 31, 2004, 02:08:22 PM »

I'm tossing up putting together a custom rifle using a SMLE No1 Mk3 or possibly No4 Mk1 action but I'm wondering which rounds would be most suitable for this action. I'm thinking of a bigger bore than .303, perhaps 8mm or 9.3 as I'd like to use a European style cartridge. I'd also like to be able to use the magazine so rounds like the .405 Win aren't really suitable because of their length.
Any suggestions that'd fit with this action?
Out of interest, is it too fiddly to use a rimless cartridge in a SMLE action?

kutenay · « **Reply #1 on:** October 31, 2004, 04:00:50 PM »

I would only use a Mk. IV, No. 1 in excellent condition for re-barreling to a different cartridge. Here in Canada, guys are currently converting these to .45-70s and there are several other rounds that work. The action can handle rimless cases, there were a number of very fine sniper rifles made at the old Longbranch Arsenal here in Canada during the '50s and '60s, these were then used in target competition at Bisley, in England. I wouldn't bother doing this as it is cost prohibitive, however, the East Indians also made .308s at their arsenal and these are easily found. The quality is about what you might expect from India, at least the few I have examined.

You might want to check into the .303/.375 Axite cartridge, this MIGHT be the best way to go; get an older "Cartridges of the World" and you will find the data for it therein. Frankly, I have owned a minty Jungle Carbine, a Parker-Hale sporter from the early '60s when their quality was excellent and a minty sporter made by Geo. Gibbs & Son of Bristol, in "Merry England"; I wouldn't give you one old Mod. 70 (of which I have quite a few) or good Mauser (lots of those,too) for several shiploads of SMLEs, of any type.

A .338-303 wildcat using .338-.308 wildcat data is easy to make and should give you a good Deer round with a 225 gr. bullet; that is the way I would go, if I were not cured forever of any desire for "Smellies".

Harry Snippe · « **Reply #2 on:** December 31, 2004, 12:08:37 PM »

I see here in central Ontario Canada that Ellwood Epps have a Mark 1 /3 in 218 Bee. Check the web site under used rifles.
With the price of barrels and stocks , I would be shopping for something already half there .
The Mark 4 ' suffered from washed out barrels as well as the jungle from what I have seen, due to using hard point ammo ammo and not washing out the bore afterward . My father in Law has a washed out mark four.
It would be interesting to hear what thes rifles could be bored out to , or the price of changing the barrels .
if you can get a shot out rifle for fifty bucks it might be worth a look.

Happy

Mikey · « **Reply #3 on:** January 02, 2005, 10:43:30 AM »

kombi - the newer Mk4 No1s have been rebarrelled and re-worked to handle the 45-70 and 45-90 cartridges. Gibbs puts together the Mk4No1 in 45-70 and they look pretty good. I believe those rifles will handle the standard factory loads in 300 and 405 grain weight. HTH. Mikey.

Buckeye · « **Reply #4 on:** January 07, 2005, 04:44:02 AM »

9.3/303 would be excellent ,it would be the equal to the 9.3 X57.
I once read bout this fellow having a shotout #4 rechambered a rebored to a 338/303.
But if you don't want a wildcat a 35 Rem. or a 9.3X57 would be nice.

SeekHer · « **Reply #5 on:** September 26, 2005, 06:44:39 PM »

I have heard of the following converted from .303 British

.416 X .303 * .405 X .303 * .375 X .303 * 9.3 X .303 * 8mm X .303
.280 X .303 * .250 X .303, I also believe their was a .264, a .270 and a .33 also converted but I'm not sure.

Hope this helps

R.W.Dale · « **Reply #6 on:** September 26, 2005, 07:02:07 PM »

I've noticed that 444marlin would almost be the perfect chambering for a rebarrel project for one of these rifles.

cal sibley · « **Reply #7 on:** October 01, 2005, 09:51:00 AM »

Ellwood Epps has done a good bit of wildcatting in various calibers over the years based on the .303Brit. The old man Ellwood is no longer active in the company, but his son and grandson George and Wes are doing a great job. You can cotact them at www.ellwoodepps.com
They're located in Orillia, Ontario about an hour and a half north of Toronto, and are probably the most knowledgeable concerning the .303SMLE. Best wishes.

Cal - Montreal

csam · « **Reply #8 on:** November 01, 2005, 03:58:09 PM »

anything based on the .303 Brit would be the easy choice. Take a look at Steve Ridgewell's book on reloading for the 303 Brit, it has a section with reloading data and cartridge info on a ton of wildcats based on the 303 case, a bunch in just about any bore size you could think of.

It is tempting to try and go for a hot rod, but the Enfield is better with the lower pressure cartridges. Not that it can't handle the higher presssures, 'cause plenty of them were converted to .308. It is just better with something with slightly lower pressures.

stone386 · « **Reply #9 on:** November 09, 2005, 09:19:16 AM »

7.62x54R (russian) would be perfect. The bore size is the same as the .303. I have read about at least one gunsmith doing these conversions using the existing barrel and just reaming out the chamber for $160. You can use the existing magazine and it will hold 9 rounds of 7.62x54R.

Ammo is cheap and it is a great round.