New Manufacture No4 Barrels

[Brian Dick]

I agree with Peter that all of these variables do exist. However, replacement barrels have been made before and there's no reason they can't be made here in the USA as they already are by Armalon and Lothar Walther overseas. The short chamber issue has been addressed and photos posted of a similar setup on a .30-40 Krag barrel as made by Criterion. If a barrel won't index without skimming the shoulder then so be it. It's been done forever with other barrels. No big deal. If the barrel is too loose, then a breeching washer is the fix as Peter says. They've also been a tried and true method in the SLR and as well as many other rifles including some of the Enfield 7.62 conversions. RH vs LH twist? There's nothing new about that either when it comes to the No.4. Savage used it early in production and Long Branch late in production. I sent Criterion a No.4 body in good shape this week stripped of it original barrel so they can move into design and production taking into consideration all of the points being discussed here. I'll be looking forward to a test trial of one of their first batch of new No.4 barrels.

[CINDERS]

One may be prudent in waiting after they sort the minor bugs out before contemplating getting one though o/seas might be a issue for us in AUS

[Brian Dick]

I'm working with T-Bone on the USA-Australia pipeline so supply won't be an issue when the time comes. He's got excellent Armalon barrels in stock now if in need.

[tbonesmith]

Hi Guys,

with regard to the fitting issues touched on in this thread, they have been well and adequately considered and in reality are no problem at all. The fact remains that minor fitting is necessary, as it is on just about any barrel.

On the following example I have trimmed the standing breech face to get correct headspace to a suitable bolthead, and faced the receive face to allow correct timing of the barrel. This receiver face cut could have been taken from the barrel shoulder, but I like to cleanup the receiver face anyway, and this total facing operation removed about 2 thou, which was enough.

This rifle is a nice No4Mk1/3 and I'll get it bedded and setup this week, range report to follow next weekend! My inkling is that she will be a little ripper... We'll see anyway.

Cheers

Tom

[CINDERS]

Will be good to see the end result though not being picky these will/perhaps have to be included in the SSR's as a modified and not original 303 to be fair to those that try to maintain the originality of our weapons but know that eventually in years to come that stocks of original barrels in good shooting condition will dry up.
I guess there are those that have been able to grab in the grease brand new un issued barrels which command a reasonable price, but these new barrels we are assured that the 303 will be around for as long as the other components last and hopefully future gunnies will understand the quirks of the Lee Enfield line to keep the fun and camaraderie happening long after we are all shooting with Elmer Keith and Bell.........

[muffett.2008]

Strewth Tom, you must have hired a cleaner, my lathes are usually knee deep in swarf

[tbonesmith]

Strewth Tom, you must have hired a cleaner, my lathes are usually knee deep in swarf

I'm "one of those guys" who likes to work clean.

[Aussie48]

"Cleanliness is next to godliness and next to flaming impossible too"

Nice work Tom that No 4 you sold me is shooting brilliantly

[Rwsgunsmithing]

So no reamer is needed to set headspace?

[tbonesmith]

No, no reamer required. Seems a bit funny, but that's how it is.