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Sidneyw
Groupie Joined: September 27 2019 Location: NC Status: Offline Points: 57 |
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Posted: September 27 2019 at 9:59am |
Greetings Everyone,
just signed up new member, own a No4 Mk1 for more than 25 years. Shot it once and put in storage until 10 days ago. I have other long guns Lever, AR, AK, M1A and few shotguns for upland birds. My Enfield does not have many markings like others I have seen. No4 Mk1 is quite visible; BFXXXX stamp on the bolt handle; T25xxx (serial number I presume) and that's about it; it is a two grove. Took it to an indoor range nearby; 25 yds shooting S&B 174 gr FMJ and it was not bad at all after all these years in storage. I just wanted to make sure it is on paper before I take it to 100 or 200 yds outdoor range. Plan on reloading (on and off I have been reloading since late 70's). Read about using both 7.62x39 projectile and powder into 303 case for plinking I really like to hear more. Regards,
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Sidney
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Shamu
Admin Group Logo Designer / Donating Member Joined: April 25 2007 Location: MD, USA. Status: Offline Points: 17603 |
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Sounds like a Savage or Long Branch made gun? It sounds "scrubbed", which usually indicates an Indian refurbish at some point. Pics would be a big help in getting a positive iD. If you reload avoid boat tails till you check it out, some 2 groove don't like boat tails
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Don't shoot till you see the whites of their thighs. (Unofficial motto of the Royal Air Force)
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Honkytonk
Senior Member Joined: December 30 2017 Location: Brandon Mb Status: Offline Points: 4770 |
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Welcome from Brandon, Manitoba, Canada!
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Sidneyw
Groupie Joined: September 27 2019 Location: NC Status: Offline Points: 57 |
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Thanks for the comeback and welcome. The handload will just be for plinking fun. I don't have much expectation. The reduced light load could be good to teach my 10 years old grandson. Took me awhile to figure out the photo uploads. The target was 25 yards out; the extraction cycles were smooth. First 3 rounds off-hand, after that I used a rest; lighting in indoor range is not too good as you know. I have yet to get used to the sight picture. |
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Sidney
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SW28fan
Special Member Donating Member Joined: July 02 2007 Location: Texas Status: Offline Points: 2951 |
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Welcome from Texas
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Have a Nice Day
If already having a nice day please disregard |
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Goosic
Senior Member Joined: September 12 2017 Location: Phoenix Arizona Status: Offline Points: 8792 |
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Howdy from Phoenix Arizona.
The serial number on the rifle has it being made at the Fazackerly plant, 1944/45. The bolt,while not matched to the rifle,was made at the Fazackerly plant as well. It was originally in a No5Mk1,(Jungle Carbine). The 300/600 yard L flipsight is very sufficient for your plinking intentions. The two groove barrel came off of either a Canadian Long Branch or a Stevens Savage No4Mk1*. Is there any FTR Mark's on the receiver in front of or behind the No4Mk1 stamp? Is the rifle complete with full furniture? Do you have any background history of the rifle when it was passed to you? Some fundamentals here would be for you to have the headspace checked,along with having the bolt inspected for equal engagement on both rear locking lugs into the receiver itself by a competent gunsmith, knowledgeable with the Enfield rifles.
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Sidneyw
Groupie Joined: September 27 2019 Location: NC Status: Offline Points: 57 |
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Hi Goosic,
Thanks for your reply.
1) The T-29235 marking is also on the barrel but it was located at the bottom. 2) No FTR marks found. 3) It came complete with full furniture. 4) No idea of history (picked it up more than 25 years ago for $60) I have had concern on headspace, but the 15 rounds I fired last week did not have extraction issue, and the spent cases seem to look ok. I disassembled it last night; it was covered with sort of spray paint done years ago from barrel down to the receiver. Edited: I looked around this morning and found this http://www.enfieldcollector.com/serials.html
It would seem as you indicated; but no certain if it was No5 jungle. I'll be getting the neck size die next week and load up some reduced light weight to try out. Still, the 2 groove puzzles me. |
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Sidney
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Goosic
Senior Member Joined: September 12 2017 Location: Phoenix Arizona Status: Offline Points: 8792 |
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The two groove barrel, being that it has the same serial number as the receiver, would indicate that it was assembled from the factory that way. Fairly rare but not uncommon. The serial number on the bolt handle does indicate that the bolt assembly itself was,at one point in time,fitted to a No5Mk1 rifle,mid to late 1947.
The paint,is it of a oil based green hue?
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Sidneyw
Groupie Joined: September 27 2019 Location: NC Status: Offline Points: 57 |
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Feels and looks oil based in black. I removed most of it using brake cleaning fluid, and coated the surface with engine oil for now. I did use the bullet insect to barrel test for wear before I shot it, and it looked very good.
Thanks,
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Sidney
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42rocker
Senior Member Joined: October 07 2018 Location: Tampa area,Fla Status: Offline Points: 458 |
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Welcome Later 42rocker
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Sidneyw
Groupie Joined: September 27 2019 Location: NC Status: Offline Points: 57 |
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I get the boat tail, can't afford the price. I only use this for plinking alongside Henry 357/38, and AR in 22LR.
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Sidney
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englishman_ca
Senior Member Joined: September 08 2009 Location: Almaguin Status: Offline Points: 1089 |
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Sidney, for cheap plinking try 7.62x39 ammo broken down for the bullet and powder, it is the way to go!
Works like a charm for plinking and other than casting your own bullets from scrap lead, it is one of the cheapest ways to reload for the 303. I use an inertia hammer to pop the bullets out after giving them a small push in a seating die to break the sealant. I use the powder charge as is.
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. Look to your front, mark your target when it comes! |
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Sidneyw
Groupie Joined: September 27 2019 Location: NC Status: Offline Points: 57 |
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That is exactly what I am trying to do. Only concern is powder from 7.62x39 is only ~60% of case capacity in 303. If that works, I have lots of 7.62x39 from my AK. I am also planning on using Berry plated 125 grs bullets, and 12 grs of Unique powder.
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Sidney
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Sidneyw
Groupie Joined: September 27 2019 Location: NC Status: Offline Points: 57 |
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Check 10 of the pulled 762x39, powder charge average around 25 grains (whatever it is).
COAL set to 2.89". The Lee neck sizing does not seem to form the neck tight enough, might have to crimp tighter. I hope the reduced charge presents no issue on pressure. |
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Sidney
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englishman_ca
Senior Member Joined: September 08 2009 Location: Almaguin Status: Offline Points: 1089 |
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I am not sure as to the problems associated with air space in smokeless cartridges.
I have never had any issues with just dumping the 7.62 powder load directly into the 303 case. What is your concern? Somebody here will have answers.
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. Look to your front, mark your target when it comes! |
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Sidneyw
Groupie Joined: September 27 2019 Location: NC Status: Offline Points: 57 |
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Load density -
Low powder charge can cause secondary detonation. I reload 357 mag and 300 Blk near max using W296 or H110.
It is powder dependence. That's why I asked if you have any issue. Edited I use the Hodgdon recommended Max load * 60% rule using from Lyman handbook 48th Edition H4895 sample of 43.5 gr max for 125 gr projectile: 43.5 * 0.6 = 26.1gr. The average pulls 762x39 unknown powder =/25 gr. So, it is short of 1.1 gr; does it matter? I don't know. I loaded up 10 to try. BTW, I was surprised to see the Russian ammo from early 90 hollow point projectiles are boat tail.
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Sidney
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