Enfield in 7.62 x 54mmR

[bigduke6]

Just wonder if anyone has or known of anyone converting a .303 No4 to 7.62x54mmR ?

Was asked due to the price of 7.62x54mmR ammo (half the price of .303) I told them to get a Nagant but they really want a No4....

I would put a new barrel on, but just wonder if anyone has done one and what was the end result regarding shooting etc ?

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[Vincent]

Attachment 64677

You would probably have to open the body for the larger rim.

The extractor and ejector might need some work too. You don’t need a new barrel, it can be rechambered like the Bren barrels. The big problem is 54R has a higher pressure than .303. I wouldn’t mess with it. Get a Nagant or a PSL.

[Ridolpho]

Attachment 64677

Nagant or a PSL.

Yes, with refurbed Mosin 91/30's available for a couple hundred bucks and having decent accuracy potential why bother? The cost of modification would pay for a Mosin that was designed to easily handle the more powerful cartridge.

Ridolpho

[Lee Enfield]

Attachment 64677

You would probably have to open the body for the larger rim.

The extractor and ejector might need some work too. You don’t need a new barrel, it can be rechambered like the Bren barrels. The big problem is 54R has a higher pressure than .303. I wouldn’t mess with it. Get a Nagant or a PSL.

My concern with this conversion is based on the fact the the relief cut necessary to the left side of the receiver is actually a support for the bolt.

Those of us who have experienced bolt tipping in SMLE rifles would like to avoid experiencing the same issues in a serviceable No4 rifle.

Where do you think the restricted service (D lisle, Grenade launching, line throwing, ect) no1 actions came from?

[Peter Laidler]

Just a quick check and a body would more than accept the small additional clearance without any fuss. On that basis I'm not sure that you'd need a new/different extractor and as the ejector is a tapering body side, I think it'd handle that but eject a tad earlier.

Pressures..... greater than 7.62? I expect it's been done a few time. Anyone out there............?

[bigduke6]

Thanks Vincent, It would be a bittsa build if it were done, No4 barrels over here are like hens teeth so not the best option (too valuable for something like this although I can get No1 Mk111 barrels quite reasonable), best option is a blank and turn it down, chamber etc.

I,ve got no data on 54R surplus regarding pressures, but regarding hand loading the pressures are greater than .308 ( I don't want to get in the argument regarding .308/7.62) it was just a quick reference check.

Maybe I will suggest the Nagant again or a P14... must admit got me interested regarding the price of the surplus ammo, I,ve looked in past at a 7.62x39 purely for running costs.

[Peter Laidler]

I can see the arguments for NOT doing a conversion but we're forgetting the what engineers call '......the challenge'

[bigduke6]

Peter, I was referring the argument to the difference of the .308 and 7.62mm not the conversion.

[Peter Laidler]

Not that Big Dike, I was trying to counter ridolpho in thread 4. But it just seems like a good challenge to me.....

[Ridolpho]

Not that Big Dike, I was trying to counter ridolpho in thread 4. But it just seems like a good challenge to me.....

Peter: I definitely agree it's an interesting question. Some of the 7.62x54 surplus we're getting now is pretty good stuff (2011 manufacture Chinese, for ex.) and can be quite accurate. The query made to Big Duke was obviously from someone who wants to shoot a lot of rounds which says to me that the main issue may be not the feasibility of the conversion but, rather, the longevity of the result. There must have been tests, when the original 7.62 NATO conversions were made, of the likely service life in terms of rounds fired?

Another way to look at this might be the possibility of stripping the surplus 7.62x54ammo, and using the bullet/ portion of powder charge in .303 brass with non-corrosive primers. Would make for pretty fast assembly line production of cheap ammo, especially if, like me, you happen to have a few thousand pieces of once-fired .303 brass lying around. Regards.

Ridolpho