.223 used in a 308 bolt face?

[Hengehold]

I have been told that some shooters are using a 308 size bolt face with an extra long extractor to shoot .223. Does anyone have experience with this or know someone else who has used this type of setup?

Thanks,
Trevor

 

[watercam]

Is it April 1 already?
Never heard that before but it sure seems as if one would lose a bit of support around the case head that way! Extraction would be difficult unless there were one on each side I suppose. Let's see, unsafe, impractical, bad idea!

 

[Laurie]

Canadian 'Target Rifle' shooters use this trick on Enfield Number 4 action based single-shot rifles. I have seen one such here in the UK. It worked fine, but these conversions won't eject so the fired case is removed manually.

For that matter, there are still many 7.62mm / .308W Number 4 conversions around. The No.4 bolt has an entirely flat face, is dimensioned for the very much larger diameter 0.303 British rimmed round, and offers no sideways or surrounding support to the case-head. The only action / bolt change to the original is a new different length extractor claw. A .223 conversion just takes the principle a bit (lot?) further.

It's inelegant engineering-wise but works - well, it does OK given the Number 4's many inherent weaknesses and drawbacks irrespective of which cartridge is used!

 

[watercam]

Obviously I stand corrected! Same thread on the usrifleteams.com/lrforum.