The Accurate Reloading Forums
cals over .303

This topic can be found at:
https://forums.accuratereloading.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/3221043/m/330107056

02 April 2007, 09:30
BIG1LOST
cals over .303
anyone know of cal.s over .303 used in SMLE sporters,,,,,,,,,got an itch to do something different.THANXX


a good horse,a churchill sized Maduro,a true rifle,and 50 year old brandy..................
02 April 2007, 10:06
N E 450 No2
Besides necking the 303 case up to 375 I have seen some 45/70's done on the SMLE


DOUBLE RIFLE SHOOTERS SOCIETY
02 April 2007, 21:54
snowman
Big1 Ellwood Epps was sort of a Canadian PO Ackley and did quite a bit with the SMLE. Be produced an Epps improved on the 303 Br case that was great in the P-14. The SMLE will not handle as much pressure but you can still get some improvement over the std 303. The 8mm/303 Epps or the 338/303 Epps would be good choices.
Hope that helps.
03 April 2007, 05:53
BIG1LOST
N.E.,,I WAS EYEING THE .375 N.E.2-1/2 or something similar,,,Snow,,I am very familiar with the Epps stuff,,,if I had a pattern 14 it would become a .303/.338,,or a .303/7mm Mag.or a .303/.308 Norma or whatever the hell you'd call it!!!!Because of the ease of procuring bbl. dies and such I may go .35 winchester,,I want to stock and sight in the '20s style as it is a 1918,( I used to buy every box of 215 gr.Dominion we ran across on our way home from a cabin we'd spend the summers at up to Flin Flon back in the '50s)and I have seen the .35 Winchester on smle's.I would like to build something like the Speed sporters in one of the calibers popular in africa,,,other than .303,,,maybe the .405 Winchester,,I thought about the .45/70,,but I would like more in the tin than 3 rounds and one up the spout,,,I am thinking on it for these huge wild pigs they have here in Louisiana,,,the one thing I wish we had back home in Montana,but for all the damage they do agriculturally here.Thanxx guys cheers


a good horse,a churchill sized Maduro,a true rifle,and 50 year old brandy..................
03 April 2007, 10:47
Rolland
How about 45-70



Never rode a bull, but have shot some.

NRA life member
NRA LEO firearms instructor (retired)
NRA Golden Eagles member
03 April 2007, 11:38
N E 450 No2
Big1

Nothing wrong with the 375 Flanged, however I would look at just making a 375/303, if it is possible, because 303 brass is a lot easier to get and a lot cheaper. Just a thought.


DOUBLE RIFLE SHOOTERS SOCIETY
03 April 2007, 18:24
Con
The 303/35 is another option ... as is a 45/90 with the rim's diameter turned down to 303British specs to ease feeding problems.
Cheers...
Con
04 April 2007, 08:06
BIG1LOST
sofathanxx for the input guys,,all good suggestions.Rolland that is one fine lookin' stick!!!much nicer than the Gibbs I've seen around,,I may do a 40/90 sharps bottle necked.I have been all over the web annd was amazed at how many oldsters all over Africa used the SMLE as a working/hunting/defence piece in the original guise calibre wise with the old Knoch 215s on everything save Jumbo or buff in the bush beer


a good horse,a churchill sized Maduro,a true rifle,and 50 year old brandy..................
04 April 2007, 16:45
El Deguello
.444 Marlin or .45/70. Maybe even a .450 marlin. I'd do the .45/70, since I already have the equipment for it......


"Bitte, trinks du nicht das Wasser. Dahin haben die Kuhen gesheissen."
05 April 2007, 07:27
BearHunter 62
I have a nice P-14 that I should do something with. Has anyone ever rechambered or rebarreled one of these? What would the bolt face except without radical redoing? Any Ideas?

I have two of the old Brits. One is a dandy Long Branch, The other has a bad bore but good action.
05 April 2007, 21:53
BIG1LOST
HEY EL,,I was considering the .444 as that is what I've always had in my Marlin saddleguns,,but I am really thinking on the 40/90 Sharps (necked),,a little long,but trim a little of the neck length it might work.Bearhunter,,,lots of guys run a reamer in and make a .303 Norma or Winny Mag out of 'em and go!!!!lots of possibles there,,,rebarrel to most any Mag. beer


a good horse,a churchill sized Maduro,a true rifle,and 50 year old brandy..................
05 April 2007, 22:04
RH outfitter
I know it is not a rifle, but I have seen one in 410 ga single shot shotgun. The magazine was missing and it had a block of wood in its place.


"Speed is the key."
05 April 2007, 23:26
BIG1LOST
Hey RH,,yes I have seen same,,for riot control I read somewhere,,never seen one in the flesh tho beer


a good horse,a churchill sized Maduro,a true rifle,and 50 year old brandy..................
06 April 2007, 00:36
BearHunter 62
Thanks for the info.
06 April 2007, 05:03
Con
[QUOTE]Originally posted by BearHunter 62:
I have a nice P-14 that I should do something with. Has anyone ever rechambered or rebarreled one of these? What would the bolt face except without radical redoing? Any Ideas?QUOTE]

I've got a sporterised P14 in 303/25 that I've considered at some stage rechambering / rebarrelling to 400/350NE. Take a look at the case dimensions and other than length the 303British and 400/350NE are remarkable similiar.
Cheers...
Con
06 April 2007, 17:01
RH outfitter
Big1Lost,
The riot control statement was the same answer I got my gun dealer said that they used them in prison camps for croud control, they were single shot so if it were taken from a guard it couldnot be used to shoot there way out of anything also why it is a 410 shotgun.


"Speed is the key."
18 April 2007, 12:50
Jon H.
Bear Hunter, I rechambered mine to '303' Norma Mag and love the thing. I can get 50 fps more with it , same bullet weight, 3 to 5 gr. less powder, that with a 300 Winnie.


if it doesn't fit, get a bigger hammer