SMLE MK3 Accuracy problem

[jeremyro]

I think accuracy problem is an understatement. I got an SMLE mk3 a while ago and finally got around to shooting it a couple months ago. It would not even get on paper with factory at 50 yrds so I got some .312 bullets from Graffs and loaded some with PPU brass. It still would not even get on paper with most shots. There was one on the paper totally keyholed, one hit the ground at about 30 yrds and another went somewhere else. After that I stopped shooting it.

The .312 is tight in the barrel if I put it in like I would to test a mosin (from the bore side) the .311 also seems tight though. The bore looks pitted and dark, but it looks like it has rifling left. Is there an option to bring this to shooting condition? What should I try? Does anyone rebarrel these? I know it is expensive vs another C&R one, but it would be nice to get a MKIII that has a shiny bore.

Thoughts?

[musketjon]

The bullets may be a good fit in the lands of the rifling, but the groove diameter is what counts. If the bullet doesn't match, or SLIGHTLY exceed the groove diameter, you're getting blow-by and possibly gas cutting of the bullet. Neither are conducive to accuracy. How is the fit of the barrel in the nose cap? Is the barrel tension spring in place? You'll have to dismount the rifle to see if the spring is even in the rifle. Receiver/stock bedding is crucial in accuracy to a SMLE. Just a few things to check.
Jon

[jeremyro]

The spring is there and the barrel is tight in the nose cap. I strip and clean the stock and action of every C&R when I get it.

It is not like "kind of" bad accuracy, It is literally more than 10 ft off at 50 yrds sometimes. So you are saying slug the barrel to see what I'm dealing with?

[musketjon]

Slug the barrel. If the bullets don't fit nothing you do will help it. You might get a copy of the book, '' The 2012 Complete Book on Lee Enfield Accurizing '' by Roger Wadham. It's about $30 on Amazon. It'll tell you EVERYTHING you need to do to your rifle to get it to shoot well. It's a good book. I have it and it's well worth the money.
Jon

[musketjon]

The barrel should not be a tight fit in the nose cap. There should be slight clearance all around, about 005-. 010''.
Jon

[jeremyro]

I will look when I get home

[rvr350]

Slug first, then report. This caliber can be tricky.

[musketjon]

Slug first, then report. This caliber can be tricky.

This^^^^^exactly.
Jon

[Enfield47]

Definitely slug the barrel and confirm the measurements first. If you saw keyholes in the target the bore may be shot out or it may have damage somewhere in the middle.

What type of bullets were you using? My Enfields prefer flat based bullets and the longer bearing surface of the round nose bullets helps accuracy too.

Be sure to look at the front and rear sights to see if they are loose. Something is majorly wrong for it to shoot that bad

[ziconceo]

Don't forget to check the crown op!

[Bainter1212]

I would also check the sights......a sight that moves around from shot to shot is gonna throw everything off.

And to answer your question....it is not practical to rebarrel these. Nobody makes a new barrel, you would have to find a takeoff barrel and hope everything works out.

You might also check headspace. I have known some of these rifles to have crazy generous headspace, and stretch the heck out of the case head.

Also, remove the bolt and carefully inspect the throat. I have also seen these with the throat damn near worn away completely. You will be able to see it pretty well with just a flashlight.

[mj1]

How do the draws look ? Are they beat or crushed ?

[jeremyro]

How do the draws look ? Are they beat or crushed ?

Sorry, what are draws?

[mj1]

The dark area that absorbs he recoil and holds the action in the for-stock.

[jeremyro]

OK, so took it apart and the tension spring and pad is there, and I took pics of what seemed pertinent.

The barrel is tight in the endcap and there is no room for movement. Everything was tight whenI took it apart and the sights seem tight and do not move or wiggle.