"Sportorized" Lee-Enfield Mark IV's - Keyholing

[No4Mk1(T)]

hermiem Brian, jmoore and Peter bring up very good points. What ammo are you using in your rifles? Have you tried other weights and brands?

[Brian Dick]

One thing I forgot to mention is that cordite has a lot to do with the worn throats/leades in many Lee Enfield Rifles because that's the propellant the majority of issue ammo was comprised of up until mid-late WWII and even later. It burns considerably hotter and therefore causes more erosion which in turn causes instability, especially with boat tail bullets. It was a big problem in MG barrels. I'm sure Peter can elaborate if he's willing. My experience was watching a buddy's target stand disintigrate at 100 yards when I switched from Mk.7 to Mk.8Z in a particular worn Vickers barrel. It was kind of funny but...... Every bullet was keyholing with the Mk.8Z and boy did it make a mess!! I packed and installed a brand spanking new barrel courtesy of "Hurricane" Dolf Goldsmith and the problem was solved. I had to change the barrel because all of my belted .303 is excellent old RG Mk.8Z. The tired barrel will still shoot Mk.7 just fine. The gun's quite accurate too for an MMG IMHO.

[Buntlineguy]

Try Hornady #3130 bullets. That is how I solved the same problem on my .303.