.303 Barrel length
Sander Wissing
I have a No4 MkI* Longbranch (ex N.Z.) that I am sporterising. What I
want to know is how long to make the barrel? I have to cut and
recrown it to get rid of the tapered piece, bayonet mounts and front
sight. Also I would like it as short as possible, to make a handy
light little rifle.
Now, somewhere there must be a point of deminishing returns. How long
are your barrels? What velocities can I expect to get with a barrel
like that?
Second question: Can I cut and recrown myself? Do I have to get a
gunsmith to do it?
Post or email
Thanks
Sander (sander....@pixie.co.za)
Ben Sansing
sander....@pixie.co.za (Sander Wissing) writes...
SW>Hi all Lee Enfield owners,
SW>I have a No4 MkI* Longbranch (ex N.Z.) that I am sporterising. What I
SW>want to know is how long to make the barrel? I have to cut and
SW>recrown it to get rid of the tapered piece, bayonet mounts and front
SW>sight. Also I would like it as short as possible, to make a handy
SW>light little rifle.
The Elitist is going to have a fit when he hears what you're doing. ;-)
Anyway - you can chop it down to 16.5" for maximum handiness, though at
the cost of muzzle blast and some loss of efficiency. 20" would be a
good "compromise" length. Of course you'll need to install another front
sight, and be aware your rear sight may no longer "calibrate" correctly,
if you try to go by the yardage markings thereon.
SW>Now, somewhere there must be a point of deminishing returns. How long
SW>are your barrels? What velocities can I expect to get with a barrel
SW>like that?
My Enfield barrels are about 25" long, but then, all of mine are "as
issued" in every respect. If you want a "utility rifle", it's probably
best to leave the beast in original military configuration. If you want
a fancy sporter, the sky's the limit with how much you can spend and
what features you can add, but be aware you cannot "convert" a
Lee-Enfield into a pre-64 Winchester M70. The heart of the machine will
still be a rugged, reliable, but duck-ugly Lee-Enfield!
There's an Enfield mailing list now, BTW. Send Email to:
<list...@prairienet.org>, with the first (and only) line in the body of
the message reading:
subscribe enfield-l (Your Name Here)
This mailing list is growing by leaps and bounds. Be there or be square!
Regards,
Ben
SW>Second question: Can I cut and recrown myself? Do I have to get a
SW>gunsmith to do it?
SW>Post or email
SW>Thanks
SW>Sander (sander....@pixie.co.za)
---
. SLMR 2.1a . Hefty Bags makes a bra that's tough enough to overstuff.
Ben Sansing
eli...@vt.edu
# sander....@pixie.co.za (Sander Wissing) writes...
#SW>Hi all Lee Enfield owners,
#SW>I have a No4 MkI* Longbranch (ex N.Z.) that I am sporterising. What I
#SW>want to know is how long to make the barrel? I have to cut and
#SW>recrown it to get rid of the tapered piece, bayonet mounts and front
#SW>sight. Also I would like it as short as possible, to make a handy
#SW>light little rifle.
#The Elitist is going to have a fit when he hears what you're doing. ;-)
He certainly is. He is seething with indignation at this outrageous
desecration of a piece of history.
Enfield lovers, unite and repel the barbarians!
The Elitist
Sander Wissing
#And this Canadian is seething that no one has pointed out that the
#Longbranch is a _Canadian_ rifle (not Kiwi), that is about to be put under
#the butcherizing ("sporterizing") axe!
I am sorry if I created the wrong impression. It most definitely is an
ex-Canadian .303, but at some time in its past has also been in the
Kiwi land. It is overstamped 'N.Z.' somewhere (let me go get it quickly)
Ah ha, on the band that the trigger guard screws onto. It has 2 new numbers
as well as 'N.Z.' stamped there. So as you can see, it is not exactly a
rare collectible. I bought it to be a hunting rifle, but when I fixed
the wood work and polished the but plate, I grew so in love with it that
it was a hard descision to sporterise. When one day I have enough money
to buy myself a rifle that does not have to earn its keep, I will buy
another and keep it standard.
#Keep in mind that Sander is posting from South Africa, where U.S. laws
#(such as 16" minimum barrel length on rifles) do not apply. As far as
#I understand South African firearms laws, there is no minimum barrel
#length for rifles.
Quite right, I can cut it down to 4", fit a pistol grip and call it a
handgun if I like.
#However, I don't see the point of an under-16" barrel anyway. Unless
#you're looking for an "ultra handy" rifle, and are already deaf,
#so that you won't find the _incredible_ muzzle blast annoying ;-)
I was hoping for about 18.5" after someone said his No5's barrel is
that long. After reading the FAQ, I think he was a bit mistaken
though. I think I will settle for about 20". That is what most
people suggested.
Cheers
Sander
Daniel Chisholm
#In article <3q7qpq$k...@xring.cs.umd.edu> ben.s...@chaos.lrk.ar.us (Ben Sansing) writes:
## sander....@pixie.co.za (Sander Wissing) writes...
##SW>Hi all Lee Enfield owners,
#
##SW>I have a No4 MkI* Longbranch (ex N.Z.) that I am sporterising. What I
##SW>want to know is how long to make the barrel? I have to cut and
##SW>recrown it to get rid of the tapered piece, bayonet mounts and front
##SW>sight. Also I would like it as short as possible, to make a handy
##SW>light little rifle.
#
##The Elitist is going to have a fit when he hears what you're doing. ;-)
#
#He certainly is. He is seething with indignation at this outrageous
#desecration of a piece of history.
And this Canadian is seething that no one has pointed out that the
Longbranch is a _Canadian_ rifle (not Kiwi), that is about to be put under
the butcherizing ("sporterizing") axe!
#Enfield lovers, unite and repel the barbarians!
On the one hand, I fully share the Elitist's views on destroying
military rifles, but on the other, I know how wonderfully handy
a short scoped Lee Enfield can be. When moose hunting last fall,
I consistently went afield with such an Enfield, even though
I had somewhat of an embarassment of riches, rifle-wise, accompanying
me.
I guess all that can be hoped for, is that Sander's rifle has served well
in its' military garb, and will now have an equally long and productive
career on kopje and veld.
Ben wrote:
#Anyway - you can chop it down to 16.5" for maximum handiness, though at
#the cost of muzzle blast and some loss of efficiency. 20" would be a
#good "compromise" length. Of course you'll need to install another front
#sight, and be aware your rear sight may no longer "calibrate" correctly,
#if you try to go by the yardage markings thereon.
Keep in mind that Sander is posting from South Africa, where U.S. laws
(such as 16" minimum barrel length on rifles) do not apply. As far as
I understand South African firearms laws, there is no minimum barrel
length for rifles.
However, I don't see the point of an under-16" barrel anyway. Unless
you're looking for an "ultra handy" rifle, and are already deaf,
so that you won't find the _incredible_ muzzle blast annoying ;-)
- Daniel