Originally Posted by
Alfred
In the Canadian debates its stated that the breaking point of the LE Reciever was "well known" to be 85,000 PSI. How this was established it doesn't say.
It could be that this was tested by some hydraulic means rather than test firing. If so the 85,000 PSI figure would be more likely correct than a figure taken by base crusher measurements.
Cartridge brass is often said to fail at 85,000 PSI using modern methods of measurement, with earlier CUP pressures given as 65,000 to 70,000 CUP.
Garand receivers were tested to destruction, though the receivers did in fact survive the testing, at pressures up to 120,000 PSI using cases especially made to hold up to that pressure level. Even when one locking lug broke off the tests were completed with the surviving lug without further damage.
Springfield bolts were tested to determine how much mass was necessary in the lugs themselves. the bolts held up with much of the lugs cut away. The figures are in Hatchers Notebook.
The lefthand lug of the Enfield bolt is small compared to that of most rifles in its class. The righthand guide rib/lug is sturdy, but the bolt body itself is hollow and rather thin walled.
The rear locking lug action allows great compressive force on the weakest portion of the bolt body.