The Accurate Reloading Forums
Re: SMLE's in 308?

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15 January 2004, 02:45
Major Caliber
Re: SMLE's in 308?
The SMLE's that are .308 are late model guns with alloy steel, early guns are too soft. Stick with .303, it feeds much better than .308 anyway.
15 January 2004, 02:02
rugeruser
Hi, I saw an advert for SMLE's in 308win today - can't remember if it as a MkIII or MkIV rifle, but I thought SMLE's, because they are rear locking, weren't suitable for 'modern' cartridges? If it could handle a 308, what else could it take?
15 January 2004, 04:44
Clark
I have an Ishapore 2-A Enfield in .308.
IIRC is was imported by Navy Arms.
It came covered in cosmolene.
The Ishapore is made in India.
I have a Catco steel scope mount on it and it is accurate with Bulgarian steel cased 308 ammo.

I went through a stress analysis on the Enfield bolt body, and consistant with the "stretchy action" mythology, the bolt with lug in the rear compresses and makes a stretching stress on the brass.