Advise on getting a worn MLE Mk 1 to shoot.

[CINDERS]

Could you go to cast find a swager at .312 and paper patch, though I guess you then have to think about the case neck accepting the larger patched projectile just a thought. Good luck with your efforts hope it all works out for you.

[Richard Hare]

Rob,

There's a Lot of Lee Enfields don't like boat -tails, but Mk 7's aren't boat -tails so don't quite see what you mean. There shouldn't be much difference between any of the L-E's in internal barrel specs, (the No 4's sometimes have a longer throat than the No 1 Mk 111's) and all have the same rate of twist. Not sure how you mean the Long Lee not working. Can you elaborate please? BTW, My Maltby can't stand B-tails.

Re lead and rough bores;
Depends a lot on lube, by what I found shooting Sniders and M-H's with bad bores. No leading with a decent lube, but they Are lower velocity than regular .303.

Cinders,
I'd thought about paper patching, as the case could accept a .316" and still not be jammed in the chamber. :-) Rough bore may be hard on paper too I suppose.
Don't really want to mess with paper though. The Lee Enfield is my (usually) easy and fast one to reload for, after piddling about with Martinis and such.
I wonder how someone kept shooting the old lass until the bore was as worn out as it is? (Then there's me Still shooting it!) :-)

Thanks again for all the replies!

[CINDERS]

We have to remember that the age of these rifles and we have no idea what or where they have been and done, I bore scoped my 1916 Lithgow the other day wish I had not as the bore looked more like a lunar landscape than a rifled barrel. I think their design was pretty well thought out considering how old the design is, they provide a good source of fun with the occasional rim over or a minor melt down all in good taste.

[Richard Hare]

Cinders,

I read an interesting bit about paper patching, and using softer lead, (pig load) and how they will smooth up a barrel and of course fill out the bullet to throat size. Will likely have to try it now!

[browningautorifle]

They don't smooth up a barrel, they fill the pits with lead. Then you have a fully leaded barrel.

[Richard Hare]

Now Mr Jim, Thoo didn't read my last post right!

I said Paper Patching. :-)

[mike1967]

Now Mr Jim, Thoo didn't read my last post right!

I said Paper Patching. :-)

Gday Richard, i think even with paper patches you will get some leading if the bore is real rough. You might be flogging a dead horse when it comes to that barrel, unless its all a bit of a learning exercise.

[Richard Hare]

Yes, eyes wide open Mike and may well be flogging a dead horse!
Barrel feels smooth now, but looks lousy still! All a learning exercise as you say. :-)

Must try it though, rather than give up Without trying it!
Will put 3 (tumbling!) 215 gr into an inch at 100 yards, so if I can just get them to fly straight I'll be on my way.
Even read of a bloke with a worse barrel than mine who sized down .318" jacketed and can get under 2" groups now, so I'm not quite done yet....

Will keep you posted.....

[browningautorifle]

Try shorter bullets then instead of long and they may not tumble.

[Ridolpho]

Try shorter bullets then instead of long and they may not tumble.

Worth trying! I have had good luck with Sierra 150 gr in my "shooter" Long Lee and Martini Enfield, both of which have very worn bores. In deference to the age of these two I also use a just above starting level powder charge which produces noticeably less kick than commercial or surplus. The same load yields the best groups I've seen from my No. 4 T's.

Ridolpho