Possible silly question about big bullets going down narrow tubes

[RJW NZ]

I have a nice old long tom with a very very tight muzzle, it reportedly shoots very well. It prompts me to ask, is it a given that the tighter the fit of barrel to bullet that the accuracy improves? Or is this back in the arena of greater mysteries of the enfield universe that sometimes looser fitting bullets sometimes still shoot really well.
Its been bothering my somewhat rational mind that undeserved accuracy should still be able to be explained logically ...any comments?

and a ps, is a CLLE enfield a rare bird or simply uncommon, or other? There's a sporterized one floating around here, see pics, and wondering if it justifies rescuing?

and by the way, happy new year everybody ...

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[Patrick Chadwick]

is it a given that the tighter the fit of barrel to bullet that the accuracy improves?

It ain't necessarily so. My experience is that a bullet close to the groove diameter is, of course, a better (gas-tight) fit, which helps. More than that is mechanically dubious - you are sending the pressure way up and the cartridge neck may be so distended that it is impossible to chamber the cartridge. But this is overshadowed by the tendency of old service rifles to have throats that, whether made as such or just plain worn, are rather long. The single best tip I can give is therefore - forget the Boattail Illusion, and get bullets with the longest cylindrical portion you can (flat-base,round nose). Like (for 303s or M1891 Argentine Mausers) the Hornady type 3130 - 175 gn RN, flat-base.

CLLE enfield a rare bird or simply uncommon, or other? There's a sporterized one floating around here, see pics, and wondering if it justifies rescuing?

IMHO, rare enough to seriously think about a rescue.

[5thBatt]

RJW NZ, i have been watching that Charger Loader as well, look close at the business end, looks like the barrel has been slightly shortened.