Breeching up washer

[Peter Laidler]

The last No4 Parts list illustrates breeching up washers for the No4 Mk2's. I have just spoken about this to Sgt Rxxx Sxxx and he's confirmed that many from the RAF ACF's and CCF's (Cadet forces) that went through the main workshops had them. This indicates to me that they will be the LATER Mk2's (maybe the UF's). The breeching up washers were not codified (didn't have part numbers) so they had to apply for them. They had them in stock as they used the L39/42's as required or for an odd size, machined up

[tbonesmith]

Last night and tonight I fitted the mag, a new 7.62 extractor, extractor spring and suitable bolt head, and with a little adjustment, the rifle feeds and reliably ejects without milling the receiver, the second ejector screw or the mags ejector tab (missing)
I left the bedding as is for the moment (centre bedded by AGP), it appeared to be just right anyway and the rifle used to shoot fantastic before the barrel went completely. If it needs adjustment after range testing I'll look at it then.
I've wanted one of these for ages, and I've only seen one or two but now I've got a sweet No4 Mk2 in 7.62 with a new barrel and mag in a sound unit. Looks good too, I'll let you know how she shoots!!

I love it when they're back together!

Attachment 18319

[Bearclaw]

Tom, She looks great.
I bags a shot of her when I get down your way in the new year. What sort of mag are you using with it.
Myles

[tbonesmith]

it's an enfield mag, I think it's one of the copied bodies with an original follower, as there are no mag body markings. You're welcome to have a shoot when you make it down here.

[enscien]

The Enfield 7.62mm barrels and later .303" barrels had the shoulders cut back to accommodate a thick breeching washer used to control breeching up by the 'constant torque' method. There is a very good account of this on page 185 of 'The Lee Enfield Rifle' by E.G.B. Reynolds (long out of print).
As I recall, (from watching the operators doing it) the breeching washers came in thicknesses of about 0.060" to 0.080" in steps of 0.001". A thickness of 0.074" would be typical. At RSAF Enfield they selected the thickness which would allow you to screw the barrel onto the body hand tight, leaving a further 18.5 degrees 'breeching-up angle' for tightening to the vertical position with the breeching up wrench. The torque required to do this should then be 120 +/-5 lb-ft.
This was a post-war development because it was thought that slightly bulged chambers were resulting from some barrels being over stressed by having to be screwed in with an excessive amount of torque because the breeching up angle was too high.

[Thunderbox]

The Enfield 7.62mm barrels and later .303" barrels had the shoulders cut back to accommodate a thick breeching washer used to control breeching up by the 'constant torque' method. There is a very good account of this on page 185 of 'The Lee Enfield Rifle' by E.G.B. Reynolds (long out of print).
As I recall, (from watching the operators doing it) the breeching washers came in thicknesses of about 0.060" to 0.080" in steps of 0.001". A thickness of 0.074" would be typical. At RSAF Enfield they selected the thickness which would allow you to screw the barrel onto the body hand tight, leaving a further 18.5 degrees 'breeching-up angle' for tightening to the vertical position with the breeching up wrench. The torque required to do this should then be 120 +/-5 lb-ft.
This was a post-war development because it was thought that slightly bulged chambers were resulting from some barrels being over stressed by having to be screwed in with an excessive amount of torque because the breeching up angle was too high.

But that was approved in 1956, long after No4 production had ceased - which is probably why such rifles & barrels are rarely encountered.

[tbonesmith]

That's

The Enfield 7.62mm barrels and later .303" barrels had the shoulders cut back to accommodate a thick breeching washer used to control breeching up by the 'constant torque' method. There is a very good account of this on page 185 of 'The Lee Enfield Rifle' by E.G.B. Reynolds (long out of print).
As I recall, (from watching the operators doing it) the breeching washers came in thicknesses of about 0.060" to 0.080" in steps of 0.001". A thickness of 0.074" would be typical. At RSAF Enfield they selected the thickness which would allow you to screw the barrel onto the body hand tight, leaving a further 18.5 degrees 'breeching-up angle' for tightening to the vertical position with the breeching up wrench. The torque required to do this should then be 120 +/-5 lb-ft.
This was a post-war development because it was thought that slightly bulged chambers were resulting from some barrels being over stressed by having to be screwed in with an excessive amount of torque because the breeching up angle was too high.

That's very interesting, and .074/.075 is what I judged I needed too. 120 lb-ft is far less than I would have thought necessary, and probably far less than Ive got on. I'll have to get my torque wrench and get a feel of how much 120 lb-ft is. Anyway it's not coming out, but you learn new thing about this all the time.

[tbonesmith]

Got this bad-boy to the range today to run in the barrel, and run some hot loads through it and get a zero. No issues with developing headspace, no signs of excess pressue with the hottest load, and with a bit of hassle a solid starting zero for 100m. Small targets and grass butt stop made it a pain to get on paper.
No world records for the initial groups but at 3-4 inches for the first 5 shot group off a makeshift box/rest I'm pretty sure I can develop a load or tune the rifle as required to make it a very competitive piece for the year of upcoming competition. It will do for a start anyway.
Happy it appears properly functional and sound.

[tbonesmith]

Made a very small adjustment to the bedding and got to the range today and zero'd the rifle at 300m. All looked good. Then I shot a 5 shot group, all inside the V bull in a nice round 4" group. Beauty! I have a very competitive rifle for this year.

[Bearclaw]

Tbone,
Update on the barrel, it came from Lawance Ord. They might be able to fill you in more of it's origins.
Myles