Snowman, here in Oz, lots of SMLE's were converted to cartridges that were based on the 303Brit case - everything from 22 up. Don't know if it's been done, or what the ballistics would be, but what about simply necking up the 303 to 35 cal?

There were also a number of No 4's converted to 308, so maybe a 358WIn isn't out of the question?

I've been toying with this idea for a while now, but been distracted by other issues.

SMLE's are really slick rifles to operate, would make a great brush gun...

jeffeosso 17" and a 250 gr @ 1800fps wasn't quite what I had in mind. Factory 35 Win ballistics were 2195fps & 2670 ft/lbs ,which was pretty respectable in the early 1900's. The 10th ed of "Cartridges of the World" lists a load with 50 grs of 4895 and a 250 gr bullet giving 2290 fps and 2920 ft/lbs. That is clearly in the 358 Win class and hot on the heels of the 35 Whelan. The #4 mk 1 will handle more pressure than the 95 Winchesters. Some of the last #4 enfields were chambered for the 308. I am not sure what the barrel length will be . I was thinking in the 20 to 22 inch range. Anyone out there have a 35 cal barrel they want to get rid of??

I acutally like the sound of this better than most of the high grade stuff I read about here. Sound slike a cool project. I say do it. I am doing up a SMLE in .303, but it will b etraditional. Plus it is #5 on my project list, so that puts it out, oh, say approximatey 37 years

Sounds pretty neat..

sounds like a project with a 17" barrel, fast twist, throwing 250gr at 1800fps!!

jeffe

Think I read an article in Rifle? a while back on making a 45-90 on an SMLE. A .35WCF ought to work fine and a No. 4 is stiffer than an SMLE. If you can find the later Mark 2 No. 4 with the trigger hung from the receiver that would be best, but the earlier No. 4 is fine. I have a Krag that was rebored to .35WCF, magazine is .06" too short so I have to snip off the tips of round nose factory loads. Also have a Krag in .405 that works fine, both have been altered to have safety lug bear on the receiver. Also have a Ross in .35WCF but was made that way by the factory. Stocked by
Ed Weber of all people. Finally have a HiWall .35WCF made by Dubiel in 1935. Super rifle, super cartridge.

I think it would be very serviceable and, as you point out, downright handy. For camp use, I think it is a great action and the .35 Win is a hell of a fine low pressure, sure-game-killing cartridge.

I used to have a similar in concept (but not base action) gun built on a Ross Model 05/07, which I used as a "canoe gun". I bought it as a .303 Brit at an auction in Red Deer, Alberta for $13. It was short, handy, and I had little enough in it I could chuck it in the canoe with nary a twinge of conscience. If I ever lost it in in a capsize, or got a speckle of rust on it somewhere, or a dent in the stock, "Oh well...". Turns out none of those ever happened, but I sure didn't have to fret about the possibility.

I think the Smelly would be even better for the same purpose. My friend Gideon McLeod carried a chopped down SMLE for many years in both his work as a guide and as his only source of meat for his family in far Northern Saskatchewan. Gideon spoke no English, only Cree, but he too knew a handy, truly useful gun when he saw one.

Great project!

Alberta Canuck

They are showing up barreled to 45-70 in shops. If you like the action go ahead.



I would sell a SMLE and upgrade. But that's just me.

I have a winter works project in mind. I would like to build a 35 Win on a SMLE # 4 action. I intend to use 3040 krag cases. They will be a little short but serviceable.According to "Cartridges of the World" handloads can duplicate 358 win ballistics. If I built it on a P-14 action I could safely increase pressure but then I may as well build a 35 whelan or a 358 norma etc.I already have those. A SMLE should make a handi little camping rifle. Has anyone out there done this or something similar?