Need Lee Enfield #1 mk3 headspace fix

[atowne2]

I have a 1917 SMLE MK3, better none as a #1 mk3. It has a headspace problem. I purchased a bolt head on ebay but it did not line up with the receiver when I screwed it into my bolt. The #1 mk3 does not have different size bolt heads like the #4s do.
I read somewhere where someone welded onto the bolt head to add spacing and machined it down to the correct headspace. I do not have a lathe to do that. I am thinking the best option for me is to get a different bolt assembly with better headspace. Anyone have a bolt to sell or another idea?

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[DirectDrive]

What about doing a barrel setback ?

 

[atowne2]

Can that be done on the lee enfield?

 

[DirectDrive]

Can that be done on the lee enfield?

That I don't know.
Maybe that's why someone went to the trouble of welding up the bolt face ?

 

[Krabbe]

I have a 1917 SMLE MK3, better none as a #1 mk3. It has a headspace problem. I purchased a bolt head on ebay but it did not line up with the receiver when I screwed it into my bolt. The #1 mk3 does not have different size bolt heads like the #4s do.
I read somewhere where someone welded onto the bolt head to add spacing and machined it down to the correct headspace. I do not have a lathe to do that. I am thinking the best option for me is to get a different bolt assembly with better headspace. Anyone have a bolt to sell or another idea?

Check with Numrich Arms and give them the model of your enfeild. the bolt heads were numbered and designed to be changed as the headspace in the rifle changed. I think that there were three different sizes and were numbered 1 through 3.
?

 

[Dust2Dollars]

You change out bolt heads. They were numbered 1 to 4 if I remember correctly.

 

[ma96782]

headspeace for a nr1 mk 3

I had a man change out a barrel for me. I had bought what Numrich parts calls a "good condition" barrel to replace my shot out one. The gentleman called me this afternoon and said the barrel was junk; it has .20 thousands on the headspace. Is this indeed too loose for a British rifle? Where can...

castboolits.gunloads.com

Then.....
I can remember that my friend in Hawaii was a big fan of the Lee Enfields.
I can remember him saying that chamber and headspace was all over the place. Wartime mfn and/or since it's a rimmed cartridge. Humm.....

BTW.....is your gauge the button type (like the cheap MN gauges) or the cartridge-looking type.

BUT.....what do I know?


Aloha, Mark

 

[atowne2]

I do not have a headspace Guage, just separated brass after fireing

 

[Certaindeaf]

I do not have a headspace Guage, just separated brass after fireing

What kind of ammo?

 

[atowne2]

Ammo may be the issue. I just purchased 200 new, unfired cases. I will try loading them and see how they work. The old cases I have been using were of unknown origin and history.

 

[ma96782]

Milsurps Knowledge Library - Headspace 101 for .303's

Headspace 101 for .303's

www.milsurps.com

Educational Zone #97 - Handloading the .303 British

I enjoy shooting my .303 Enfields, but mostly shoot military surplus ammo I them. It is corrosive, but it shoots well enough to entertain me at 50 yards. I recently decided to try some Prvi Partizan factory loads and compare the accuracy to the milsurp. Here's the Prvi on the left, and some...

www.theboxotruth.com

Aloha, Mark

 

[Bsteinhauer28]

Take it to Brimstone and talk to Will.

 

[atowne2]

Ok

 

[Bsteinhauer28]

Ok

However taking the time to look at your location now that's a bit of a drive.

 

[ma96782]

Try the resources page?

Northwest Firearms Resource Guide

Reviews, maps, and information for gun shops, ranges, training, outdoor shooting areas, and more in Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming.

www.northwestfirearms.com

Aloha, Mark

 

[atowne2]

Aloha

 

[revjen45]

"You change out bolt heads. They were numbered 1 to 4 if I remember correctly."

Do the same bolt heads work on the Ishapore 7.62 NATO rifles?

 

[BillM]

"You change out bolt heads. They were numbered 1 to 4 if I remember correctly."

Do the same bolt heads work on the Ishapore 7.62 NATO rifles?

Appears that the .303 and 7.62 bolt heads are the same. Extractors are different.

 

[JRuby]

I would be concerned why I have a headspace problem in the first place. If headspace is increasing at best a different bolt face will only provide a temporary solution to a possibly unsafe condition.

 

[ma96782]

Appears that the .303 and 7.62 bolt heads are the same. Extractors are different.

Could I inquire?

Did you get some bolt heads and side by side, measure them? Or what other method did you use to evaluate the situation between bolt heads to come to that conclusion?

I'm only asking because I also wondered about that.

BTW.....Yes, I own an Ishaphore 2A1 but I've never bought a .303 SMLE. Mostly because of my fears over the availability of cheap surplus ammo in the future.

Aloha, Mark