.303 ID help needed

Message Topic Search Topic Options Post Reply Create New Topic Printable Version Translate Topic

   he!!o all, I need help with identifying my .303. I can see what I believe is “no 4 MK I” on it as well as “1943”.  I am unable to upload any photos at this time. My problem is loading rounds and ejection them. I have tried 4 different mags and different ammo brands but may have the wrong style mag so I could also use help with mag ID. Barrel length is 21.2”. Thanks in advance!

Author	Message Topic Search Topic Options Post Reply Create New Topic Printable Version Translate Topic
JonR Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: October 21 2025 Location: Texas Status: Offline Points: 9	Post Options Post Reply Quote JonR Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: .303 ID help needed Posted: October 21 2025 at 4:50pm
	he!!o all, I need help with identifying my .303. I can see what I believe is “no 4 MK I” on it as well as “1943”. I am unable to upload any photos at this time. My problem is loading rounds and ejection them. I have tried 4 different mags and different ammo brands but may have the wrong style mag so I could also use help with mag ID. Barrel length is 21.2”. Thanks in advance!

A square 10 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Special Member Donating Member Joined: December 12 2006 Location: MN , USA Status: Online Points: 16999	Post Options Post Reply Quote A square 10 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: October 21 2025 at 9:11pm
	we will need photos to give you much but first thing that jumps to my mind in your description above is that these rifles were built as a single box mag tuned to the rifle at mfgr , the use of multiple mags was forbidden in service , you need to tune your mag to your rifle - just one of them and leave it in place , itrs to be charged from the top

britrifles Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: February 03 2018 Location: Georgia, USA Status: Offline Points: 8404	Post Options Post Reply Quote britrifles Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: October 22 2025 at 3:45am
	Can you describe what goes wrong in the cartridge loading/feeding process? Rounds don't feed from mag? Bullet points striking the back of the chamber? Rounds not ejecting? There should be a short screw on the left side of the action body that slightly protrudes thru the inside of the body just forward of the charging bridge; this is what allows ejection of a loaded round. Empty cases are ejected via friction along the left side of the action body. Weak ejection of an empty case is usually the result of a weak extractor spring. A Square 10 is right, magazines almost always need some fitting, particularly the forward "lips" need to be shaped to get reliable feeding of the cartridge into the chamber.

Shamu Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group Logo Designer / Donating Member Joined: April 25 2007 Location: MD, USA. Status: Offline Points: 20510	Post Options Post Reply Quote Shamu Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: October 22 2025 at 12:13pm
	Here's the magazine types for the No1 (SMLE) & No4/No5 rifles. They are not interchangeable. For the No4 is on the LEFT for the No1 is on the RIGHT. Note the rear rib lengths & the difference in the reinforcing ribs at the bottom.
	Don't shoot till you see the whites of their thighs. (Unofficial motto of the Royal Air Force)

JonR Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: October 21 2025 Location: Texas Status: Offline Points: 9	Post Options Post Reply Quote JonR Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: October 22 2025 at 2:04pm


JonR Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: October 21 2025 Location: Texas Status: Offline Points: 9	Post Options Post Reply Quote JonR Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: October 22 2025 at 2:06pm


JonR Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: October 21 2025 Location: Texas Status: Offline Points: 9	Post Options Post Reply Quote JonR Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: October 22 2025 at 2:07pm


JonR Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: October 21 2025 Location: Texas Status: Offline Points: 9	Post Options Post Reply Quote JonR Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: October 22 2025 at 2:08pm
	When I load rounds into the mag and insert it, fully inserted, I can maybe load one round, then it won’t eject, then some times double feeds

JonR Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: October 21 2025 Location: Texas Status: Offline Points: 9	Post Options Post Reply Quote JonR Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: October 22 2025 at 2:23pm


JonR Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: October 21 2025 Location: Texas Status: Offline Points: 9	Post Options Post Reply Quote JonR Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: October 22 2025 at 3:03pm
	Thanks everyone for your help, I knew I came to the right place. It’s obvious that I have the wrong magazines. When I got it the wooden stock was cracked so I put on that aftermarket stock, I can see now I won’t be able to use that scope rail if I need to use a charger.

Zed Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Special Member Donating Member Joined: May 01 2012 Location: France Status: Offline Points: 6460	Post Options Post Reply Quote Zed Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: October 23 2025 at 4:26am
	If using the scope, you can load the mag' one at a time. You can remove the mag' if you want to reload that way, it should not be a problem if the mag' is adjusted properly. However it is not the standard method. You will need the correct magazine for the No4 Mk1 .
	It's nice to be important, but it's more important to be nice!

Shamu Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group Logo Designer / Donating Member Joined: April 25 2007 Location: MD, USA. Status: Offline Points: 20510	Post Options Post Reply Quote Shamu Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: October 23 2025 at 11:44am
	You're correct those are No1/SMLE mags. BUT The feed lips will need adjusting too. This is a good position & shape for them, but again some hand fitting will be required anyway. You want rounds from both Left & Right to contact the feed ramp about 1/2 way up. Obviously you woiuld not use live ammo for setting this up for safety reasons. If you need a few Inert "action Proving dummies", let me know.
	Don't shoot till you see the whites of their thighs. (Unofficial motto of the Royal Air Force)

JonR Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: October 21 2025 Location: Texas Status: Offline Points: 9	Post Options Post Reply Quote JonR Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: October 23 2025 at 6:38pm
	Thanks!!! I’ll find the right mag and try this!

DisasterDog Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: February 21 2025 Location: Brewery Status: Offline Points: 256	Post Options Post Reply Quote DisasterDog Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: October 25 2025 at 9:17am
	If those magazines lock into place, try experimenting with one of them to find the correct angle for the feed lips. In your photo, you can see a couple of the feed lips are completely crushed at 90-degree angles, they ain’t gonna feed squat like that. Even the “correct” mag may need tweaking so you might as well figure it out now…… and if you can get them to function, I wouldn’t worry about correctness in a sporterized rifle anyways.