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Lithgow 1913

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smerdon42 View Drop Down
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    Posted: September 24 2020 at 5:37pm
Going out tomorrow to shoot some clays and going to bring the 1913 Lithgow out for a ride as well I have never shot it in 4 years it has been cleaned and headspaced it will only just close on a go gauge and the bore is only accepting a .303 at the muzzle and stops about 20 mm down the muzzle . It has been restocked and the drawers are tight on the action body . I am a little intrepid in shooting it due to the unknown of never firing  it . KNowing all that I have learnt from here about head spacing and bore gauging it in theory should be ready to go . What do you guys reckon ?
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pisco View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote pisco Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September 24 2020 at 10:15pm
your description sounds good go for it and give us a shoot report
It amazes me how a lot of people think a smle can have a head space problem From sitting in the safe
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smerdon42 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote smerdon42 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September 25 2020 at 4:21am
pisco I I just don’t want. To ruin a piece of history . Just cleaned her up and will send in a report It is serial number 160 so it was made probably in the first week of Lithgow manufacturing .
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Bear43 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September 25 2020 at 6:47am
Make sure and post up the range results. I look forward to see how it dows.
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pisco View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote pisco Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September 25 2020 at 10:51am
if in doubt run it on cast bullets 
It certainly is an early one 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Shamu Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September 25 2020 at 2:06pm

"it will only just close on a go gauge"

If it closed fully & locks its very snug, that's a good thing.

NO GO & FIELD should be you main concern though.


"Headspace gauges generally come in 3 sizes:

GO: measures the minimum acceptable headspace. This size is most often used when re-barreling or re-chambering a firearm.


NO-GO: This gauge is used to check for excessive headspace. If a firearm closes on the NO-GO gauge it is an indication that the weapon MAY not be safe to fire. Reloading ammunition for a firearm that fails NO-GO can result in unsafe loads due in part to the expended brass being elongated as a result of not being firmly chambered. Most military surplus firearms that pass NO-GO (the bolt will not fully close on the gauge) are considered safe to fire with surplus ammunition, or with modem loads not intended for reloading.


FIELD: A firearm failing the NO-GO spec can be tested on the slightly more forgiving FIELD gauge. Military chamber specifications are generally looser than commercial firearms, giving them a bit of tolerance for adverse conditions such as dirty chambers, weather extremes, etc. A firearm passing FIELD spec (not closing fully on the gauge) is generally considered safe to fire the ammunition it was designed to fire, i.e. military surplus ammunition of the designated caliber.”

Don't shoot till you see the whites of their thighs. (Unofficial motto of the Royal Air Force)
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smerdon42 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote smerdon42 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September 26 2020 at 7:33am
hey guys thanks for all the info I am happy to report , the first firing of this rifle since I have owned it went well . She fired well and as she is sighted for mk vi ammo it took some getting used to . I placed some 12 clay targets around the 120 ft range we had some in between trees and on the hill side . Once I smithed in correctly I dispatched all 12 targets with ease it did take 8 -10 rounds to get used to and know the down range accuracy of the rifle in the old iron sights . Had a blast but it had less kick then my Winchester 101 12 gauge . Yes we shot 9 mm Gluck pistols 22 caliber Ruger revolver and 357 magnum revolvers as well as clays . Had a blast and now am looking for a,longer range to really test her out . But for a 107 year old lady she shot very well.more reading on accurizing her will be next .
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Honkytonk Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September 26 2020 at 9:00am
Great to hear! My No1 is probably my favourite Enfiled rifle to shoot!
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pisco View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote pisco Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October 01 2020 at 1:16am
good to hear I have some mk 6 projectiles it’s a shame you live so far away postage would kill the fun
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Zed View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Zed Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October 01 2020 at 1:28pm
Sounds like a good day at the range!
You mentioned thinking about accurizing. Due to the rarity of the rifle (early number) I would suggest just making sure that the standard fit and function is corrrect for the woodwork. Avoid any "modern" ideas bedding compound etc. If it shoots to military requirements, be happy with it.
It's nice to be important, but it's more important to be nice!
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smerdon42 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote smerdon42 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October 01 2020 at 3:18pm
zed I was only thinking traditional methods no modern ones it would help to sight in on a 100 yd range I only had 40 yds so it to me a few shots to get the right height on the front sight in the rear sight . Once sighted in it cracked every clay target .i will just make. Sure then contact points on the barrel are correct and screws are not over tightened etc .all in all I was happpy as a pig in sh*t about my own piece of Australian history still goes bang after 107 years . Next one is to do the same with my 16 th light horse 1915 rifle , this one can be traced to the infamous Beersheba charge on October 31 st 1917. This one also defiantly saw action at gallipoli  As well .  My great uncle was in the 13 th light horse.
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Zed View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Zed Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October 02 2020 at 11:19am
Pleased to hear that your keeping it period correct.
We get great pleasure from shooting rifles that are a century old. Please show us range reports when you get the chance.
Zed.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote A square 10 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October 02 2020 at 6:34pm
nice to know another is seeing daylight again - no they do not lose the ability to shoot in storage , and no unless they are damascus or black powder there is not general concern - we all caution in that first experience to have it looked at by a competent gunsmith because we dont know where its been or what anyone might have done to it .....you would be a amazed at what the shade tree gunsmiths might do 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Shamu Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October 03 2020 at 7:45am
Tell me about it!
I just saw a video where "Bubba" attached the scope mounts to the bolt! Yes, the boltWacko Every time you work the action the scope & mount move with it! I'll see if I can find it again.

Don't shoot till you see the whites of their thighs. (Unofficial motto of the Royal Air Force)
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