Need info on my SMLE

[Dynamic]

Hey guys it's been years since I've messed with this rifle so I took it apart yesterday. I noticed I have matching serial numbers in 5 places. End cap , barrel , receiver , under front leaf sight , top handguard. Would this make it an all matching numbers gun ? The bolt does not have numbers. I would also like to know when this was made.

Also the barrel is dark but still serviceable what I would like to know is how can u confirm this rifle is good to shoot ? How to check head space ect

[Dynamic]

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[Freedom_shooter]

Need info on my SMLE

I bought some gages on Ebay. They were like 30 bucks for the 3 different sizes. They are the coin type that fit on the bolt and you close the action to see how much headspace there is.
I'm thinking all the Enfields used the 303 Brit round and all had the similar headspace when they were assembled. So the gages should work for any of them.
Hope this helps.

Link>>> http://www.ebay.com/ulk/itm/252001307184

[Milsurp Collector]

The bolt does not have numbers. I would also like to know when this was made

The bolt should be numbered on the rear surface of the bolt handle.

The year that the action body (receiver) was made is stamped on the right rear of the action body, where the buttstock attaches.

[Dynamic]

Just saw the serial number and it is not the same. For that same reason I should check the headspac right ?
Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk 2

[Dynamic]

I bought some gages on Ebay. They were like 30 bucks for the 3 different sizes. They are the coin type that fit on the bolt and you close the action to see how much headspace there is.
I'm thinking all the Enfields used the 303 Brit round and all had the similar headspace when they were assembled. So the gages should work for any of them.
Hope this helps.

Link>>> http://www.ebay.com/ulk/itm/252001307184

Thanks for the info ! Im going to order one from there.

Now what options do i have if it has to be headspaced ? Do i unscrew the "head" of the bolt

[emcon5]

Do you handload? You can check the headspace on a Enfield using a case and a spent primer.

There are instructions here, unfortunately the photos are gone.

http://forums.gunboards.com/showthread.php?95532-Wher-can-I-get-a-cheap-303-headspace-gauge&p=738953#post738953

I did this three or four times, and the results were repeatable.

If you do handload, if you want to get any kind of decent case life, you really should neck size only.

[mj1]

try this view



Good luck

[Crunch130]

+1 on the reload, necksize only. Enfields tend to have chambers that are way oversized at the shoulder, so the brass changes shape a lot upon firing. Once it's fireformed to that chamber, you want to neck size only.

Doing this effectively "converts" the rifle from headspacing off the rim to headspacing off the shoulder (what rimless rifle cartridges do), curing a hypothetical excessive headspace problem at the same time.

For just punching holes in paper at 100 yards, reduced loads are great. You can get the guidance off the Hodgdon reloading website. You can use 125 grain bullets intended for 7.62X39. Search for "Hodgdon reduced loads" and it basically tells you that you can load AS LITTLE AS 60% of the max loading for that cartridge with H4895 powder for youth and target practice loads. At these reduced pressure levels, the brass lasts for many firings when neck sized.

When I still had an Enfield, these loads shot great and gave good accuracy.

Regards,
Crunch

[Father Ted]

Now what options do i have if it has to be headspaced ? Do i unscrew the "head" of the bolt

Noooooo! Never try to tighten up headspace by loosening a bolt head. First check headspace with the correct Field guage .074. If it closes on that then you need a bucket of boltheads to try and tighten it up. During war time they were even more tolerant on headspace (if I remember correctly up to .078).
To me the bigger concern than headspace is the mismatched bolt. This is always overlooked by most novice Enfield collectors. Each bolt was carefully fitted to each body making sure that the surfaces of the locking lugs mated perfectly. This was done by an armourer with special tools and slave bolt and it was very crucial to safety, far more than headspace in my opinion.
Cheers