Question: Project Rifle SMLE 303

[usabaker]

Before anyone tells me it's more expensive, yup I know.
But that's not the point I like returning things back to what they were originally.

But here is my question. What's a SMLE 303 "Sporter" worth that has a great bore and hasn't been drilled on or has the barrel modified? I think I want to get (another) project rifle to bring back to life.

I figured I might go with a rifle someone sportrized like MAC2017 did with a 4mk1

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[smle addict]

Hello, usabaker,

It depends on what you are looking for. Seems the gunbroker and gunauction sites list sporters between $250 and $450 dollars, usually with some hyped-up description which includes words like "rare" and "hard to find."

Realistically, I've seen them in gun-shops for around $100 to $250, with just the wood cut.

I hit the gun shows pretty regularly and have seem them as low as $75.00. This past January at the OC Crossroads show, I saw an SMLE Mk 5 barreled action for $200 dollars, and a Jungle Carbine barreled action for $100.

They're are out there, and they can be had for cheap, you just gotta hit the shows and gunshops. The internet auctions always seem way overpriced.

Good luck with the hunt!

[usabaker]

They're are out there, and they can be had for cheap, you just gotta hit the shows and gunshops. The internet auctions always seem way overpriced.

Good luck with the hunt!

You this may sound dumb but for some reason I forgot about the gun show. Thanks for the tips!

[fjruple]

I have from the past found the best bet is the local gun shop. The general public normally will not buy a sporterized military rifle and will go with a used commercial rifle. The last "bubba" SMLE, was a 1918 Enfield built No.1 MKIII* which was rebuilt in 1928 back to No1 MKIII. The rifle was given to me for free just to get it out of the house and only the front wooden handguards were cut off. Not to be a thief I did offer to paid for it. The SMLE before that one was a "sporterized" Lithgow SMLE No.1 MKIII, again just the front wood cut off which I bargained down to $75.00 US. Normally I look for the ones covered in dust as I blow off the dust when I negotiating with the owner and he gets the message its has been sitting around too long and will come down on the price. If when I get home and the barrel is real bad, I will reline the barrel with a .22LR barrel liner and use it as a plinker. Gunshows and Gunbroker are a waste of time and over priced.

--fjruple

[MasterChief]

I have posted on this subject before. IMHO if the stars and moon and sun align and you find a candidate rifle at an attractive price by all means proceed. I myself had such a moment about 15 years ago when stuff was less expensive and more available. For comparison I purchased this rifle with cut-down forend, missing bands and bits for $95USD and added another $115 in parts including NOS 4-piece stock set and sling for a grand total of around $210USD. This was a 1943 Long Branch FTR (F) 1948 with FTR-matched receiver-bolt-magazine and Suncorite finish in pretty good condition. And not import-marked. YMMV and of course prices are higher and parts availability are lower today but I still think it is worth pursuing. Best wishes. Dave

[usabaker]

I have posted on this subject before
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...standard-1.jpg

That a beautiful rifle from what I can see, hope i will be as lucky. Who were you with Master Chief I was a Seabee in the 20th NCR Gulfport then NMCB 2 went blue to green and did a tour on the 820th Army Coprs of Enginners.

[tiriaq]

...If when I get home and the barrel is real bad, I will reline the barrel with a .22LR barrel liner and use it as a plinker....--fjruple

Bought a large load of odds and ends. Some SMLE parts, including stovepipe grade barrels, barrelled receivers, etc.
Have a .22 conversion project going right now. Sleeved the chamber, bringing the barrel face back to the bolt face, liner in and chambered, bolt head converted to .22, firing pin converted to a striker, firing pin made. Test fires just fine. Next step is to set up the extractor and cut the barrel to fit.

[usabaker]

Bought a large load of odds and ends. Some SMLE parts, including stovepipe grade barrels, barrelled receivers, etc.
Have a .22 conversion project going right now. .

Love to see how you guys do that.

[tiriaq]

What I do is take a piece of rifle barrel and turn it so that it looks like a cartridge case, and fits the chamber. It must project back from the barrel to reach the bolt face, taking up the space occupied by the .303 rim. Or, the chamber in the barrel could be drilled and bored out, and a cylindrical insert made. Six of one... Once the chamber insert is bonded in place, the liner drill is run through, and the liner is bonded in place. To convert the bolt head, I annealed it, and drilled through for a 1/4" diameter plug, which I soldered in place. Carefully lay out the position of the rimfire firing pin, drill a two diameter hole, and make a firing pin to fit. Shorten the original firing pin, so that it strikes the new firing pin.
Converted a No. 4 a while back, simulating a No. 9 rifle.

[usabaker]

What I do is take a piece of rifle barrel and turn it so that it looks like a cartridge case, and fits the chamber. It must project back from the barrel to reach the bolt face, taking up the space occupied by the .303 rim. Or, the chamber in the barrel could be drilled and bored out, and a cylindrical insert made. Six of one... Once the chamber insert is bonded in place, the liner drill is run through, and the liner is bonded in place. To convert the bolt head, I annealed it, and drilled through for a 1/4" diameter plug, which I soldered in place. Carefully lay out the position of the rimfire firing pin, drill a two diameter hole, and make a firing pin to fit. Shorten the original firing pin, so that it strikes the new firing pin.
Converted a No. 4 a while back, simulating a No. 9 rifle.

So are these single shots or do you make feed ramps and extractors for 22 LR? Sound like a really cool project. Has one been made in 5.56?