Lee Enfield Conversion Suggestions

[WheelGunGuy]

I've got a No.4 Mk.1 lee enfield that has been given to me. It was sporterized back in the 70s, but despite that has a good looking set of wood furniture. 303 british is getting really hard to find, and the last box i bought was tumbling so i fear the barrel is on its way out. My question is, are there any good conversions or quality gunsmiths near San Diego who could covert this rifle to a new caliber? What are some of the better caliber options? I've seen the 45 acp kits, but my general impression is that they are pricey and dont work super well. Anyone have experience converting one of these? I've searched the internet, but still wanna see if i can find more info.

 

[AR15barrels]

Conversions of magazine fed guns are mostly limited to what cartridges a magazine can reliably feed as well as what the boltface diameter is.
There is really not much that's matching the 303 boltface that will feed in a 303's magazine and be more available than 303.
You are better-off spending money getting yourself reloading equipment to reload 303 than trying to rebarrel to a more available cartridge.

 

[bonesurf]

How were the Ishapore guns made for 7.62 nato? The magazine I suspect is the same. The barrel is obviously different but is the bit that different?

 

[Enfielder]

The #4 Lee-Enfield was reworked to 7.62 x51 by the Brits and Canadians with no issues. I've owned three, still have two of them. For best magazine feeding the receiver needs to be opened up slightly in the magazine well but isn't manditory. You need a 7.62 barrel, extractor, proofed bolt head, and magazine. Cheaper route would be to sell yours for parts and buy another one with a better barrel.

 

[AR15barrels]

How were the Ishapore guns made for 7.62 nato? The magazine I suspect is the same. The barrel is obviously different but is the bit that different?

Different barrel, bolt head and extractor.
I don't know what they did to the magazines or receiver but enfields partially feed from the receiver so there's probably some mods there too.
Even if you chased down those parts, I would still only shoot 50,000psi 7.62x51 nato ammo through it and would probably leave the 62,000psi 308winchester ammo for more modern guns.

 

[WheelGunGuy]

The #4 Lee-Enfield was reworked to 7.62 x51 by the Brits and Canadians with no issues. I've owned three, still have two of them. For best magazine feeding the receiver needs to be opened up slightly in the magazine well but isn't manditory. You need a 7.62 barrel, extractor, proofed bolt head, and magazine. Cheaper route would be to sell yours for parts and buy another one with a better barrel.

I figured, just a bummer because I really enjoy the rifle in it's current configuration. Thanks!

 

[Enfielder]

I figured, just a bummer because I really enjoy the rifle in it's current configuration. Thanks!

There's always sporterized #4s on gunbroker. Sell yours to Numrich and buy one with a better barrel. Did you check the crown on yours? Sometimes refreshing the muzzle crown solves accuracy issues.

 

[boltstop]

How were the Ishapore guns made for 7.62 nato? The magazine I suspect is the same. The barrel is obviously different but is the bit that different?

The magazine on an Ishapore 2A1 is different - it's a 12 round square box rather than the typical rounded Lee Enfield 303.

 

[Enfielder]

The magazine on an Ishapore 2A1 is different - it's a 12 round square box rather than the typical rounded Lee Enfield 303.

It also works surprisingly well in one of my converted 7.62 #4 rifles. Fits right in the magazine well. I had to reduce the height of the magazine body at the front to insure best feeding. That was the only modification needed.

 

[Enfielder]

#4 with Long Branch 7.62 barrel, Enfield 7.62 magazine, AJP 8/53 rear sight windage adapter

#4 7.62 with GPC 2A1 magazine, AJ Parker barrel, Badace scope mount

 

[pit fighter]

I bought a butt-ugly sporterized No.4 - I bought an Ebay Indian stock set for less than $200, came with metal parts.

.303 is a great old cartridge, and fun to shoot.
Give it a go (if you haven't) before you spend a lot of money to change it.
Not to mention that the No 4 will digest almost any garbage you feed it and still shoot great.
I think a few WWII era ammo was shot this day and still performed.

 

[Fatcat]

There was a company in AZ that was selling a conversion receiver adapter to take AK47 mags. You would also need to install a chamber sleeve for the barrel. Like how people used to conver 30/06 Garrands to shoot .308
Same bore (.301) and back in the day the Rusky imported ammo was cheap.

 

[echo1]

Is it a 2-groove barrel? Those usually don't like boa tail projectiles. I picked up a #4 MK1 sporter that key holed boat tail but ran spitzer fine. I had a couple Ishapores, a 2A & a 2A1. Moved the 2A down the road then decided not to resto the 2A1 with #1 furniture that I have. A salvage of yours will be $pendy, PAX