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Stupid project? Enfield big bore

X Count

Have a hankering for a big bore cartridge based on the 303 Enfield action. For no other reason but want one and would prefer a bolt action over a lever or break action.

Would just be used for putting big holes in paper and thin skinned game.

Ive seen that they used to do 45-70 conversions. Has anyone done similar? Would be nice to have a calibre in the safe that starts with a 4 at least
 
Disregard this post. 1917 p14 receiver not enfield. I would look at doing a 458 win mag over the 45-70. 458win is an easier conversion regarding the magazine and feeding issues. If 458 is more than you want 458x2 (american) is a reasonable cartridge as well.

I am not a huge fan of rimmed cartridges in bolt action rifles. Yes they work, yes it has been done, but why add extra difficulty?
 
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matthias said:
I would look at doing a 458 win mag over the 45-70. 458win is an easier conversion regarding the magazine and feeding issues. If 458 is more than you want 458x2 (american) is a reasonable cartridge as well.

I am not a huge fan of rimmed cartridges in bolt action rifles. Yes they work, yes it has been done, but why add extra difficulty?
Click to expand...
The Enfield (SMLE and 1914) was designed around a rimmed cartridge. I wouldn't put a 458 Win in one either.

X Count, look into the 405 Grenadier. It's based on the 7.62x54r, but something like it may exist for the 303. I know there was a .416 based on the 303 that was a straight wall. I don't remember what it was called.
 
I have thought about converting and Enfield to a 9x39. IT is a 7.62x39 case necked up to 9.62. shooting 278grn round subsonic.

Only videos i have seen about the round are connected to the Russian VSS Vintorez system
 
I built a 450 Hornady on a No4 action about 10 years ago. Very successful project. It used a Tru Flite barrel and even fed well from a tweaked magazine. 18in barrel. The recoil was a bit fierce...There were plans for a 35/303AI..but never eventuated. The 303ICBM rifles that we made featured in Regwell's book on the 303, published in Canada. I still own one, built on a No4 in a Parker Hale stock.
 
It can be done, as they were commercially available at one time. It's only stupid if you can't make it work. Have fun, that's what drives the hobby.
 
There looks to be a 375-303 which would probably be the smart move. Apparently it can use the stripper clubs and run the 10 round mag with some slight mods. That's a lot of firepower in a fast cycling bolt action.

But something starting with .4 would be nice.
 
NZ_Fclass said:
I built a 450 Hornady on a No4 action about 10 years ago. Very successful project. It used a Tru Flite barrel and even fed well from a tweaked magazine. 18in barrel. The recoil was a bit fierce...There were plans for a 35/303AI..but never eventuated. The 303ICBM rifles that we made featured in Regwell's book on the 303, published in Canada. I still own one, built on a No4 in a Parker Hale stock.
Click to expand...
Is that the 450 bushmaster or something else? What did you need to do to the mag? Did you need to open up the action?

18" with a red dot is where I'd like to be :-)
 
450 Hornady is not the Bushmaster - it's a belted straight case with a magnum case size. Originally made from a 7mm magnum case shortened to 2 inches, but later made a SAAMI spec and factory round by Hornady, Basically a short 458 magnum. The belt was moved to prevent chambering in a 7mm etc. Magazine was sorted by fiddling with a pair of pliers until it worked. I think we only loaded one or two in the magazine ,We may have played with the floorplate. No action work. It'll push a 350g at around 1900fps on IMR4198.

The Bushmaster will give you blot face/extraction issues, whereas the 450 fits the 303 boltface.
 
jackieschmidt said:
Is this a SMLE or a Number 4?
Click to expand...
A #4 Is an SMLE

A #1 MKIII Is also an SMLE

A P14 or a P17 is also known as an Enfield.

Two very different rifle systems. The SMLE having rear locking lugs and a screw on bolt head. While the P14 and P17 or Pattern 14 etc. are based on the Mauser design.

I am working on a .410 built on a #4 action and also a 45-70 and when those are done, I am going to do a 444 Marlin on a #4 action also.
 
NZ_Fclass said:
450 Hornady is not the Bushmaster - it's a belted straight case with a magnum case size. Originally made from a 7mm magnum case shortened to 2 inches, but later made a SAAMI spec and factory round by Hornady, Basically a short 458 magnum. The belt was moved to prevent chambering in a 7mm etc. Magazine was sorted by fiddling with a pair of pliers until it worked. I think we only loaded one or two in the magazine ,We may have played with the floorplate. No action work. It'll push a 350g at around 1900fps on IMR4198.

The Bushmaster will give you blot face/extraction issues, whereas the 450 fits the 303 boltface.
Click to expand...

Your describing the .450 Marlin...
 
Sniperhandle said:
A #4 Is an SMLE

A #1 MKIII Is also an SMLE

A P14 or a P17 is also known as an Enfield.

Two very different rifle systems. The SMLE having rear locking lugs and a screw on bolt head. While the P14 and P17 or Pattern 14 etc. are based on the Mauser design.

I am working on a .410 built on a #4 action and also a 45-70 and when those are done, I am going to do a 444 Marlin on a #4 action also.
Click to expand...
What mag and action mods are you doing to make these work?
 
The 45-70, with a single stack magazine, in a Lee Enfield would be a pretty good conversion. You could load to '86 Winchester levels for sure. A P14 can be made into an excellent 458 Win Mag or larger, but the magazine alterations are formidable. I built a 416 Rigby on one a few years back and the magazine work was, by far, the hardest part of the job. A-square used Enfield action for their big bore rifles. By the way, I once put a few shots through a 500 A-Square and learned that it was too much gun for me! WH
 
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