Enfield 2A in .308 ... reaaally long leade

[Koobuh]

We just got done checking the OAL for my dad's Enfield 2A, and I'm still a bit blown away. We used the 'measure from bolt face, then from tip of bullet pressed against throat' method to figure it out, and the numbers we got were pretty strange. Like, 3/32nds of an inch longer than the max OAL for .308.
Do these rifles simply have a really long leade (possibly to ensure operation in inclement conditions?), or is there something wrong with the rifle? Maybe our checking method was wrong, but we used it with good results on his M91/30 just a few minutes later- data on that rifle was within max OAL numbers for 7.62x54R.
As it is, the first bullet we tried, 150 Gr. Winchester FMJs, would have to be just barely seated in the case to be close to the lands.

 

[Zeke Menuar]

Don't bother trying to seat out to the lands in a 2A. Your OAL is limited by the magazine length. Unless you want to load single rounds.

Don't worry about it. Seat the bullet out to the length of the magazine, check for feeding and go shooting.

I know that my Ishy No1 MkIII has a long chamber and leade. The 2A might also. I don't know I never measured mine. My 2A is the most accurate milsurp I own. No sense in messing with it as long as it outshoots every open sighted gun I own.

ZM

 

[longrifleman]

I've checked the leade on several Enfields, No 1s, No 4s and my own 2A and they have all been like yours. From what I've been able to research they were designed that way. Any more, I just load to published OAL and don't worry about it. I've tried going to the max length the mag would allow but the bullet is still far enough off the lands I can't see much improvement in accuracy. I've decided reliable feeding is more important. Every rifle is different, so you may well see some improvement going to the end of the mag, even if I didn't.

 

[nicholst55]

Remember, it's a battle rifle, not a target rifle! As long as it shoots MOBG (minute of bad guy) size groups, that's about all that was really required of it! While it can be a lot of fun to try and make these old soldiers shoot, it can also be quite frustrating. Load to magazine length and be happy.

 

[Koobuh]

Thanks for your help, guys.