L4 w/SA barrel question

[alterego]

Gents,

I've got my L4A3 running and am trying to get to the bottom of the bolt deal.

Basic gun is a British L4A3, South African 7.62x51 barrel. I am running an UNMODIFIED 303 bolt with an L4A3 7.62extractor (oddly the 8mm extractors I bought wouldn't work?).

Two things are making me a little crazy:
1. The bolt feed horns
2. Firing pin protrusion

Feed horns:
Understand why they are there in a 303. Should they be removed? I have no witness marks on the barrel breech face or on the feed horns forward surface. Gun headspaces properly. I did have one misfeed, but was using blunt tip hunting rounds--attributed it to the bullet design. Thinking it's more of a feed related item than one of going into battery properly. Also, should the breech face be sleeved to the diameter of the 7.62 case head? Read many threads on the South African conversions and my head is spinning...

Firing pin protrusion, what should it be for a 7.62x51 gun running a 303 bolt?

Any insight to the above would be greatly appreciated.

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[TactAdv]

With the SA/Denel 7.62 BBLs you need to use the SA-specific 7.62 extractor.....i am running the same combination of parts as you in my all-original '42 Daimler MG and when using a .303 bolt + SA 7.62 BBL you need the SA extractor for reliable extraction. Inglis 8mm and L4 7.62 extractors don't work reliably with that combination. You can get SA extractors from Dave Selveggio@ DSArms. Probably have to ask specifically as they aren't on the webpage anymore I don't think?
-TomH

[Kev G]

If it's any help the SA 7.62mm firing pin protrusion gauges were -
H 1.566 mm
L 1.354 mm
But this might not be applicable to your set up ?

ATB KG

[Peter Laidler]

I would say that if the CHS is correct and you're using NATO spec 7.62mm ammo then use the EMER spec for CHS. .040" to .050". You can't go wrong

[alterego]

Got some SA extractors on the way, thanks for the help guys!