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Old/Original 303B Beveled Case Rims?
I watched a Youtube video where the channel creator explained the "Rim Jam" or "Rim Lock" that happens loading an Enfield. He stated that the reason for present day rim lock is due to the newer 303B SAAMI brass doesn't have bevels on the rims, and are essentially square. These square rims cause the rim lock, where the beveled rims allow the rim that is behind another slide over and rim lock isn't an issue.
I knew there had to be some reason my No.4MK2 would rim lock every time I tried loading the second original patterned staggered stack clip. Heck, it even rimlocks on the standard staggered rounds in the clip. So, what is this bevel? What does it look like? Can someone post comparison photos of new vs old rims?
This really made me question how the Enfields were regarded as such great battle rifles. This rim lock couldn't have been going on back in the great wars, or it would be regarded as the worst rifle in history, and that is not the case. Lol
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10-17-2024 07:21 PM
# ADS
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I've never had rim lock loading with chargers with any make or date of 303 cartridge. From 40 years old military to brand new never fired cases.
You do load chargers two up three down? Tried many other chargers?
You're right, rim lock isn't unknown on the LE rifles but is rare when using chargers that are correctly loaded. Hence its long service life.
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Sounds like incorrectly loaded chargers.
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Advisory Panel
Correct, it's poor loading of chargers. There's nothing to do with new V/S old case rims. Most new creators are just doing content to try to milk some money out and don't really know anything.
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Mine are not the best, but they are not too bad. I can think of lots of Enfields I'd rather have but instead of constantly striving for more, sometimes it's good to be satisfied with what one has...
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BoTR also did a video showing that if you're the least bit concerned of rimlock, a quick push down then quickly releasing the cartridges in the magazine sorts them out. Bevelled rims on the older cartridges didn't prevent rimlock, they simply reduced the effort required to push one cartridge past another. Recruits were trained to 'smartly' push the bolt home in order to overcome any resistance of the cartridge to chamber.
Last edited by Sapper740; 10-18-2024 at 08:42 AM.
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I've tried that orientation gobs of times and get rim lock mainly on the second clip inserted. I've 50 clips and tried a lot.
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Contributing Member

Originally Posted by
Gargoyle
I've tried that orientation gobs of times and get rim lock mainly on the second clip inserted. I've 50 clips and tried a lot.
When I've shot Lee Enfields in a timed stage i loaded my chargers so each successive cartridge's rim was in front of the rim of the cartridge below. In order to avoid inserting the charger upside down I painted one half of my chargers bright yellow. As long as the yellow half was up I was good to go. I wanted to see how the good ol' Lee Enfield would fare against AR15s with all the bell's and whistles so I entered several IPSC competitions with both a SMLE and a No.5. I actually beat some ARs in a few matches but I was never in the money.
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Yup, I'm gonna do exactly as you described. Paint them tops yellow and rim in front of rim! Dagum, these guns are fun!
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Originally Posted by
Sapper740
When I've shot Lee Enfields in a timed stage i loaded my chargers so each successive cartridge's rim was in front of the rim of the cartridge below. In order to avoid inserting the charger upside down I painted one half of my chargers bright yellow. As long as the yellow half was up I was good to go. I wanted to see how the good ol' Lee Enfield would fare against AR15s with all the bell's and whistles so I entered several IPSC competitions with both a SMLE and a No.5. I actually beat some ARs in a few matches but I was never in the money.
When the chargers are loaded the proper way it makes no difference which way is up.
Imagine what the soldiers in the trenches would do if they had to paint their ammo chargers.
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