Re-barrel No 4

[32ndgeorgia]

Is it feasible to put an Ishapore 7.62 barrel on a No 4 action? I would like to make a 7.62 Jungle Carbine look alike from parts that are available.

Thanks for any help.

Information

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[browningautorifle]

You may have problems with the pressures of 7.62 over the 303 in the receiver. 7.62s were re-treated or specially selected I think, they weren't just a standard action. Give it a minute, there's others here that will tell you for sure.

[Beerhunter]

You may have problems with the pressures of 7.62 over the 303 in the receiver. 7.62s were re-treated or specially selected I think, they weren't just a standard action.

I have shot dozens of No.4s converted to 7.62mm over the years with no ill effects. None of them were specially treated in any way and they all passed English Proof. (A legal requirement in the UK.) Converted No.4s were very popular on English ranges before the advent of "proper" target rifles. Additionally, Enfield built the 7.62mm L.42s, L39s and Enforcers on the No,4 action.

I think getting the 2A barrel to fit the No.4 action would be the biggest obstacle. Don't they index 180 degrees out?

As to the OP's project, a chap in our club has a 7.62mm No.5/4T hybrid. He took a No.5 and swapped the No.5 parts to a No.4 action with a 7.62mm barrel. Next he added a set of scope brackets and a No.32. It made a quite competitive Practical Rifle.

[browningautorifle]

Sorry Beerhunter, I come by my info honestly. It was a discussion about the 7.62 rebarrelled Long Branch rifles, opposed to the older #4s and the thought was that they were special, that is not standard receivers. Apparently not the case.

[Peter Laidler]

Contrary to popular misbelief, Ishapore 7.62mm No1's are built on bog standard bodies or when not using standard bodies, then certainly bodies made from the same steel as the standard bodies. I say 'the same steel' in the sense that during analysis, there are very slight differences in the mixes (but there will be across the board anyway) but well within the acceptable standard parameters of steel mixing acceptance.

Your barrel certainly will be 180 degrees out but I'd ignore that and simply breech it with the accept CHS gauge onto a 0 bolthead.

[Bruce_in_Oz]

the thread is the same nominal diameter and pitch, BUT:

1. It has a different "start" point, and

2. It ha s adifferent FORM.

SMLE barrel thread is an "Enfield Special"; unique flank angles. It may well screw in but the area of contact between the receiver and barrel threads will be less than optimal. If you wind it in until it squeaks, you will get thread crush which may be useful, but you will still have the problem o the extractor cut.

Headspace issues may come in to play as well. Also note that the original SMLE setup had the rear end of the barrel breeching up against the front of the INTERNAL breech ring, a la Mauser 98s. No4s breech up with the shoulder bearing against the front face of the receiver proper.

If you have a spare, mint condition Ishy 7.62 barrel, you may be better off selling it and finding a "pre-loved" 7.62 target rifle barrel and getting your local gun-plumber to trim, profile and fit it. No4s have a 55deg thread form, just like M-98s, NOT 60deg like many people cut.

[32ndgeorgia]

Thanks to everyone who replied. Those are GREAT insights and comments. This is the only place to get this kind of information.

I am not concerned about the proper indexing of the barrel because the sights will not be used. If the breach end is milled off some then a SAMMI chamber reamer could be used to tighten it up a bit. The extractor cut is a factor though. It would have to be re-cut.

Thank you so much for your help.

Lewis Leonard
Savannah, Georgia
U.S.