Wonder wot an H barrel sporter is cappable of?

[RJW NZ]

I recently sold an H BSA barreled sporter 1917, the barrel had good rifling but not factory new, it gauged at .30 I think, I'll check my papers. It also had a basically bedded fore end, with a simple small one inch square patch under the knox area that was the rest between the wood and receiver to create a fully floated barrel, plus under the main trigger guard screw and trigger plate was a stiff metal plate about 1.5 inches in diameter inlet into the wood ala L42 style.
As a point of interest it seemed that the BSA heavy barrel was heavier than the H Lithgow we're more used to ...

Take a look at the 25 yard target the excited new owner sent me!

ps the pic is odd, its a pdf, but it opens to a picture if you follow the clicks etc.

PPS my file upload manager is nearly full but for the life of me I can't figure out how to delete the old pics, any tips?

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[Pablo]

That'd end up being about 2 inch group at 100 yards yeah?
nice

[Bindi2]

A H barreled No1 Mk111 will shoot as well and better than a No4.

[Peter Laidler]

Wow, I bet that response brings in a few incoming mortar rounds Bindi!

[bigduke6]

Wow, I bet that response brings in a few incoming mortar rounds Bindi!

That is an interesting thought, always wondered what a Heavy barrel Lithgow was up to, this pic shows a recent outing with my FTR No4 Mk1, with a No32 scope on, not making excuses but once I put my glasses on and could see the point of aim (the square bit of gafer tape) only thing stopping me was running out of rounds. (see the four shot group)

Target was at 100 metres.

[Bindi2]

Wow, I bet that response brings in a few incoming mortar rounds Bindi!

Having gone through the range shooting game at the time of H barreled Mk111s, 2,4 + grooved No4s the 7.62 conversion a heavy barrel, the lack of 303 ammo was the deciding factor. We were not allowed to reload then. Why did the Brits refuse to let the Aussies use H barrels at Bisley. They were Australian army issue.
The H barrel is a standard Long Lee shorten to SMLE length and the muzzle turned down to take the SMLE fore sight.

[me2]

I think if the fellow behind the buttplate is up to the task and the particular weapon he's shooting is well tuned it probably would be a toss up between #1 & #4.

[bigduke6]

I think if the fellow behind the buttplate is up to the task and the particular weapon he's shooting is well tuned it probably would be a toss up between #1 & #4.

me2, I guess there must be a few forum members with the two examples to compare, or members with one or the other, that would be up to the challenge.

On the subject of heavy barrels has anyone got the difference in the dimensions between the standard SMLE barrel and the heavy?

[Bruce_in_Oz]

Essentially,

1. The Knox form is standard SMLE (apart from markings),
2. the profile forward of there is the same as the original Lee Enfield ("Long Lee") barrel, i.e. heavier.
3. the barrel steps down near the muzzle to accommodate the standard SMLE front sight base.

I have a set of key dimensions somewhere in the dungeon; might have to dig them out.

Note also that Lithgow built the long barrels as aftermarket spares until the early 1930s. A change in the Rifle Club regulations that specified a standard (SMLE) barrel length saw many long rifles "abbreviated" to this new specification. I suspect that Lithgow initially produced the "H" barrel to facilitate this change, hence the profile that would drop into the fore-end of the shortened "range-pattern" rifles. It probably took about 5 nanoseconds for the SMLE shooters to twig to the possibilities of dropping the new, stiffer barrel into a SMLE, with its superior trigger set-up, shorter lock time and less mass in the striker assembly.

The two "H" barrels that I have here were received new in their bags. The finish on the lands is mirror-bright: in the grooves, less so. Definitely rifled with a hook cutter. Both barrels gauge very close to .303 bore all the way. HOWEVER, they both exhibit slight "belling" near the muzzle, probably from over-enthusiastic lapping. I have slugged one of them; as best I can measure (being a 5-groove barrel), the groove diameter is 0.315ish. Given that the original spec for the rifling allows for groove diameter up to 0.319", that is not too bad. Probably need to save up and buy some more serious measuring tools[COLOR="Silver"]

[Jc5]

I have a set of key dimensions somewhere in the dungeon; might have to dig them out.
[COLOR="Silver"]

I would also be grateful to see these dimensions if you dig them up. Additionally, does anyone know the dimensions of the MLM/MLE cavalry carbine barrels? Also, the MLM MkI is supposed to have had the thickest barrel of all. Does anyone know how those dimensions compare?

Thanks!