Is this a 7.62x54R enfield?
Printed From: Enfield-Rifles.com
Category: Enfields
Forum Name: 7.62 Enfield
Forum Description: All things to do with the 7.62 Enfield
URL: http://www.enfield-rifles.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=13984
Printed Date: March 26 2026 at 2:51pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.07 - https://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Is this a 7.62x54R enfield?
Posted By: Jeffreymind
Subject: Is this a 7.62x54R enfield?
Date Posted: May 07 2025 at 8:01am
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Hi, I just bought my first rifle and it’s an SMLE! This seller claims it’s chambered in 7.62x54R (which is fine by me since the ammo is cheaper) but looking at the pictures I’m not convinced it is. https://www.guns.com/used-guns/p/lithgow-arms-smle-1945-iii?i=324123" rel="nofollow - https://www.guns.com/used-guns/p/lithgow-arms-smle-1945-iii?i=324123 First the barrel seems stock from the Lithgow factory. While it seems a new barrel is not required for 7.62 conversions I have heard it’s highly recommended. Another issue sparking this confusion is that it was my understanding that while SMLEs are made to hold 10 round of .303 they can only hold 9 of 7.64x54R but the seller list the capacity as 10. Any opinions would be greatly appreciated, I’ve also messaged the seller for more details but still waiting on an answer. Whether it’s .303 or 7.62x54R any tips on what kind of ammo I should buy for taking this SMLE to the range would also be greatly appreciated!
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Replies:
Posted By: Shamu
Date Posted: May 07 2025 at 12:30pm
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I VERY much doubt that! The case is too long & the working pressure too high. .303 Brit:
7.62x54R
Maybe they're confusing the metric label for ".303 British" which is 7.7×56mmR? It might be a negotiating point if you're looking for a deal. What is actually marked on the rifle? ------------- Don't shoot till you see the whites of their thighs. (Unofficial motto of the Royal Air Force) |
Posted By: Sapper740
Date Posted: May 07 2025 at 1:43pm
| Didn't someone somewhere try converting SMLE's to 7.62 X 39mm some time ago? |
Posted By: paddyofurniture
Date Posted: May 07 2025 at 2:36pm
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[QUOTE=Sapper740] Didn't someone somewhere try converting SMLE's to 7.62 X 39mm some time ago? That would be a interesting rifle |
Posted By: Mayhem
Date Posted: May 07 2025 at 4:11pm
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It could be 7.7x54R There was a period where it was illegal to own firearms in military calibres in NSW, Australia, so the barrels were removed and the thread was turned down by 2mm, so that a standard 303 round would not chamber. The resultant cartridge was the 7.7x54. Note the box at the bottom of this picture:  Here is a 7.7x54 round next to a fired 303 case:  I doubt that the site software has 7.7x54R listed and the closest match would be the 7.62x54R, so I critically important to check if you intend to shoot it.
------------- .303 - Helping Englishmen express their feelings since 1889 |
Posted By: britrifles
Date Posted: May 07 2025 at 5:45pm
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If it’s been rebarreled for a different cartridge, hopefully the barrel is marked accordingly. If not, try dropping a .303 British cartridge into the chamber. It should drop in until the rim contacts the back of the barrel. My first thought is what Shamu said, perhaps the previous owner was giving the metric dimensions of the .303 cartridge, 7.7x56R.
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Posted By: SW28fan
Date Posted: May 07 2025 at 6:04pm
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I have heard of this conversion, but not recommended. Some folks must shoot cheap factory ammo in their rifles and damn the results as long as they can go boom with cheap ammo. I have long given up figuring out what Bubba is thinking. ------------- Have a Nice Day If already having a nice day please disregard |
Posted By: Shamu
Date Posted: May 07 2025 at 6:51pm
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7.62X39 I can see, but its still within the specs for pressure from the receiver. I think we need to get more info before doing anything. ------------- Don't shoot till you see the whites of their thighs. (Unofficial motto of the Royal Air Force) |
Posted By: A square 10
Date Posted: May 07 2025 at 7:58pm
| this is one of those times i think someone tried to research and got confused and its translated into bad info that will get someone hurt , i doubt that ausie rifle is anything but 303 brit , |
Posted By: DisasterDog
Date Posted: May 07 2025 at 10:27pm
| My LGS has several 7.62x54r Enfields, though I suspect one of them might not actually be, but they are all marked as such. A friend of mine had one at one time & it looked completely stock from the outside. Only modifications were the .303 chamber having a 54r reamer run into it & the magazine feed lips adjusted (which took a bunch of effort). The fired cases had a double shoulder and accuracy was poor. It was a bubba solution back when 54r was dirt cheap & .303 was expensive in comparison. |
Posted By: Sapper740
Date Posted: May 08 2025 at 2:14am
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There was a thread on gunboards.com regarding a company that did the 7.62 X 39 conversion, the now defunct Special Interest Firearms. Here's a link to the thread: https://www.gunboards.com/threads/enfield-7-62x39-conversion.59845/" rel="nofollow - https://www.gunboards.com/threads/enfield-7-62x39-conversion.59845/
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Posted By: hoadie
Date Posted: May 08 2025 at 6:46am
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The picture shows a bayo with a quillion. IIRC, those are worth a few scheckles ------------- Loose wimmen tightened here |
Posted By: DisasterDog
Date Posted: May 08 2025 at 8:29am
Not at all, HXP .303 on the left, D166 54r on the right. The 54r is wider, but 2mm shorter. You can see how reaming the .303 chamber to 54r would result in double-shouldered 54r fired brass, as the neck bumps out into the old .303 shoulder. The shorter 54r case makes for freebore, combined with the .310 bullet rattling down the tube, resulting in completely expected poor accuracy and probably a lot of blow-by. .303 can still be fired in this “double chamber” but is pretty unsupported & cases WILL rupture below the .303 shoulder as there isn’t enough expansion of the brass to fill in the 54r shoulder.  |
Shamu wrote:Posted By: britrifles
Date Posted: May 08 2025 at 2:04pm
| Seems like a dumb idea to ream a .303 chamber for this cartridge unless the barrel shoulder is set back and breech face is cut back. Otherwise, that bullet has to travel a long way to engage the rifling. Maybe that’s how they get around the higher pressures, they can’t be realized with a 1 inch free bore. |
Posted By: Shamu
Date Posted: May 08 2025 at 2:17pm
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The pressures would concern me, more that the short brass life. ------------- Don't shoot till you see the whites of their thighs. (Unofficial motto of the Royal Air Force) |
Posted By: A square 10
Date Posted: May 08 2025 at 9:10pm
| me too shamu - dont want that on the range im at , |
Posted By: Shamu
Date Posted: May 09 2025 at 1:43pm
Ah, my bad. sorry. I remembered the chase not chambering, but it obviously wasn't length, as I though. .------------- Don't shoot till you see the whites of their thighs. (Unofficial motto of the Royal Air Force) |