7.62mm L4 series........

[TactAdv]

Joe, Yes, you are correct in your combinations above.

The reason for having to match (original Inglis) 8mm barrel + bolt, and L4 barrel + bolt is that those particular bolts are physically dimensioned differently than a std .303 bolt, for just the reason you stated.

This is the epiphany that the guys at DENEL had.....if you simply made the barrel shank of a new-made .308 barrel LONGER (by the length of the cartridge feed horns on the bolt), you could then keep the std .303 bolt and not have to make new ones specific to the caliber change. Apparently, they regarded the off chance of someone trying to use the wrong ammo a worthwhile gamble in light of NOT having to make another new (and expensive) part at the time (of international embargo). With just the "longer" .308 barrel, they got the functionality desired.

Yes, you are also correct, original Inglis 8mm bolts were used at first (type proofing), and later new-made "L4" bolts are fully interchangeable to my knowledge. And too, both original Inglis 8mm extractors and all other "7.62mm" extractors, no matter where made, are functionally interchangeable to my knowledge.

Warren W. may have a salient commentary on the Inglis angle.......and Peter may have to add anything I missed....
-TomH