New toy LB 1942 no4 mk1* 5 groove F54 barrel

[303Guy]

Thanks, ssj.

I should really splash out and get a good barrel for this gun. I shall be fire-lapping it to see if it will shoot straight as it is. It was a 'sporterized' one with a steel clip on front sight thing to make it look 'sporty'. But the bayonet bearing portion of the barrel was chopped off, much to my chagrin. Do guns have to be completely unmodified to be allowed?

There are no distinctive markings I can see on the barrel. Just the usual barrel specs and a crown with BNP under it on both barrel and receiver ring. It is five groove and the sight has the thumb screw on top.

[ssj]

Thanks, ssj.

I should really splash out and get a good barrel for this gun. I shall be fire-lapping it to see if it will shoot straight as it is. It was a 'sporterized' one with a steel clip on front sight thing to make it look 'sporty'. But the bayonet bearing portion of the barrel was chopped off, much to my chagrin. Do guns have to be completely unmodified to be allowed?

There are no distinctive markings I can see on the barrel. Just the usual barrel specs and a crown with BNP under it on both barrel and receiver ring. It is five groove and the sight has the thumb screw on top.

Bad news on barrels I have not seen an un-used one in over 6months. TSE Engineering in OZ (ex-MAB) do one but you have better be sitting down.....bye bye $1kNZD. It also wouldnt be as-issued as its not a military barrel though the rules do say you can fit non as-issed parts with good reason. Well frankly after over 6months looking I think thats reason enough. However we are talking about a bunch of cranky old guys who can be bitchyand wil chop you out for their own glory. Thats one thing I hate about being in clubs. I tend to prefer to shoot quietly on my own or just friends for that reason, Im hoping WSRA wont be that bad.

"But the bayonet bearing portion of the barrel was chopped off, much to my chagrin. Do guns have to be completely unmodified to be allowed?"

I have a no4 mk2 with the same "problem" I think I read such docking was very popular in NZ. What they say is as-issued state. If there is a mod does it give a material advantage, if so you can still shoot but you cant win the prize on the day (yipped de doo doo a small cup like thing) . I cant see how losing 30mm gives an advantage, however I have been meaning to ask so I'll email WSRA.

My 2 barrels have F50 and F54 respectively meaning made in Faz, Liverpool in those years. There were US? and Canadian made 5 groove barrels, I dont know how they were stamped....4 and 6 groove as well. Post war Canada made 6 groove I believe, maybe just count to see if its 5 or 6. Tonight I intend to measure them both as the F54 barrel looks a heavier section, probably just nmy eyes though.

What's stamped on the sight? F?? CE??? something? if so its probably a post WW2 sight.

Some pics maybe so we can see?

[303Guy]

It's got an "F" stamped on it. I'll search for my camera.

How many rounds are fired in a match? I actually enjoy shooting quietly too but I do want a reason to shoot this one and it would be good once in a while. I see they don't specify jacketed bullets. Mind you, mine are jacketed - in paper.

[ssj]

70 rounds.

[ssj]

Had to run for the train....

Typical match is 10 shot rounds, depends on how many rounds but 5~7 is typical I believe. Ammo, well they sell Highland AX soft point (180gr?) on the day at WSRA. I have 100 barnual 183gr projectiles for my Mosin Im going to try these as they are 31cents a go v 60cents for "proper" 303, worst case I cant get the prize....yipped dee doo So I'll pick up 160 AX rounds on the day (29th September) and reload from then on (my son wants to shoot as well). I will probably get 160 wincester X soft point as well then I can sort cases by manufacturer per gun. Need to determine which is the better quality, suspect the Higland as its privy.

Also one of the best shooters there casts his own for his P14 (he won anzac day this year), uses Lee molds. He does so to compensate for the P14s bore wear that might work well rather than re-barrel. Casting isnt expensive to do. He's a bloody good shot, one of 3 or 4 303ers at our club.....I can see me being last every day....I might suggest they do a "last as usual but turned up trophy"....

[ssj]

Ive asked WSRA and a "docked" barrel is un-acceptable so you go into the "open" class, so you cannot win a "prize" Kind of leaves me in a quandry on what to do with my docked gun. Find a barrel (very hard) get an aftermarket one (probably not acceptable) or take the hump and go off and play elsewhere. I think whats annoying me is watching 10 out of 15 or so competitors using commercial AR15s (yes not even "real" M16s), yet all Im missing is a wee bit of barrel of an otherwise genuine gun....seems pedantic.

:/

regards

[Bruce_in_Oz]

ssj:

You could always get a GOOD craftsman to soft-solder a "freebored" extension on your docked barrel to make up the length: a serious "enthusiast" could actually make such a fitting from the front-end of a shagged barrel; totally "authentic" and would include the bayonet lugs for bonus cosmetic points. A squirt of "authentic" black paint and ................

Lithgow made, among many other interesting things, barrels for domestic, (Oz), and foreign consumption. The No4 barrels were specifically for the No4s being used by the Australian Rifle clubs in the 1960s.

To whit:

Barrel, No4, .303 (Aust)
Part No. 35087
Drawing No. OU 52831
Are they Kosher?

If you had such a barrel, (I understand that they were sans bayonet lugs), wound into into your trusty No4, where would you stand with the "rules"?

These were being made at the same time as the last "H" barrels for SMLE users. They also made No4 barrels in 7.62 NATO for the same Rifle Clubs. These did not have bayonet lugs; well at least the samples I have do not.

Reference:

Drawing U 57062
Barrel, 7.62mm, National Rifle Association, for Rifle No.4

They also made something for the No4 rifles called:

Barrel, 7.62mm, Heavy, NSWRA,
Drawing No. U 57743
Part No. 35607

[ssj]

Yeah I wondered about silver soldering on an old end...but its kinda cheating...

I dont know how strict they are on aftermarket barrels, their rules say OK if there is no other option.. I did see one gun here that had a barrel sans lugs....I assume it was as above.

Since I have not seen any barrels then its moot, I might ask anyway so I know one way or another.

thanks

[Bruce_in_Oz]

If one were, say, a slightly eccentric Kiwi, and desired to shoot a Johnson rifle "competitively" in Military matches, I suspect you would have little choice but to get a "fresh" tube and fit the original breech ring, mid-bearing, etc. on it. How would that fit the rules?

Back when Australia still had a sense of humour, there were a few of these about, mainly all original, ex Indonesia/Dutch East Indies in .30-06. Some had "replacement" cocking handles/knobs and most of the barrels were very sad, to say the least. They were quite pleasant to shoot. Extra points for the fact you could top up the ten-shot, internal rotary mag, on the move, with the bolt closed and the safety on.

If you are lucky enough to have scored one of the Venezuelan 7 x 57 models, then.....................