L42A1 Commercial Ammunition Advice

[Micheal Doyne]

So say I’ve acquired an L42A1. Truthfully it will be an original Enfield hammer forged L42 barrel in vvgood to mint condition mated to no4mk2 by a renowned target rifle gun smith, all with the aim of marking something materially in the spirit of the L42, for a rather more modest cost.

I have no prior experience of .308 or 7.62 nato, no dies to load my own and no brand knowledge about what components would suit this barrel. Ideally I would like to start out with some really available (in uk) commercial rounds, but I’m a trifle nervous about stories of damage to 7.62s from modern .308 commercial rounds (either the catastrophic type or just excessive barrel wear).

My aim at least initially would be to find a good approximation of the rounds a true L42 would have enjoyed from the MOD: would this have been 7.62 round ball L42A1 - A3, or where these rifle L96 rounds? Effect on target is the key aim rather than matching the an L1A1 sights bullet drop compensation, particularly as I will be fitting a No32mk3 at least initially.

Before some one rightly has concerns, I would very much welcome any opinions you might have, but any advice will not be followed blindly.

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[Alan de Enfield]

I presume you gunsmith will be getting it Proof tested (21 tonnes, I think, in lieu of the 18.5 tonnes for 303)

My local (Lincolnshire) Gun-Shops seem to regularly have MEN 7.62 (German NATO stuff) in stock and it shoots well in my L42.

[Micheal Doyne]

I presume you gunsmith will be getting it Proof tested (21 tonnes, I think, in lieu of the 18.5 tonnes for 303)

My local (Lincolnshire) Gun-Shops seem to regularly have MEN 7.62 (German NATO stuff) in stock and it shoots well in my L42.

Hi Alan,

I have to admit I haven’t asked how high they are proofing it. I assumed it would be 19 tonnes (which I think the L42s where do to) or great; il ask.

I will see about the German nato rounds, thanks.

[Alan de Enfield]

It may be 19 tonnes. I thought that one of my 7.62's is 21 tonnes (maybe the Enforcer) but I have not looked in detail for a while.
I'm sure your Smith will do whatever is required.

Edit - just checked and both the Enforcer and the L42 are 19T so I must have been "dreaming"


I've had a 7.62 No4 'L42 Lookalike' at my local Gun shop for about 5 years Just to get it off ticket. I was asking £100 but he has had no takers.

[Daan Kemp]

The hype about the catastrophic difference between 308 and 7,62 is much overrated. Many cartridges have two calibre names, one in imperial inches and the other in metric. Ever heard about the catastrophic difference between 223 and 5,56 cartridges? Same issue.

You will be able to determine the commercial ballistics from the manufacturer. I'm not always sure if the ballistics of military stuff is that easily available, they will vary from batch to batch manufactured and accuracy too. Hand loading should allow you to tailor cartridges to your rifle.

[Alan de Enfield]

The hype about the catastrophic difference between 308 and 7,62 is much overrated.

There is roughly 2,000 psi difference between SAAMI .308 and NATO 7.62 x 51 specifications, with the SAMMI 308 being the highest at around 62,000 PSI and NATO 7.62 at around 60,000 psi.

I have fired 308 in my L42 and Enforcer but given the choice and a good ready supply of NATO ammunition I'd rather use what it was designed to use.


The SAMMI cases are also thinner than the NATO cases, and because of the differences in headspace between a 308 rifle and a 7.62 rifle they do tend to fail more regularly when reloaded.

[Bindi2]

The Proof was for a 144gn NATO round nothing else.

[Strangely Brown]

The Proof was for a 144gn NATO round nothing else.

This!
L42A1 ~ A3 is 155 gr and is very much L96 territory.

Michael if you find yourself looking for some L2A2 (144gr) I might be able to help. I'm also in Wiltshire!

[Nigel]

GGG 144 grain is good stuff - works well in my L42A1.

[desperatedan]

GGG 144 grain is good stuff - works well in my L42A1.

Second the GGG - very consistent (plus pretty much problem free in straight pull FAL/L1A1s)