Enfield .303 project. Worth the effort?

[fatelk]

I have the remains of an old #1 Enfield .303 British. It's in rather rough shape, missing many parts. I'm trying to decide whether it's remotely worth trying to round up the necessary parts to make it shootable.

The receiver is marked with a crown and G.R or G.B under it, then Enfield 1917 Sht L E III*, looks like it's been beadblasted and cold blued. The bore is not good, the headspace is just as bad. I have a bunch of #4 parts someone chromed (I know, not interchangeable) I could sell on ebay or something, then buy the missing parts from Numrich. I have a couple nice #4 buttstocks, think one could be made to fit. There's also a handful of other parts in with them that I don't even know what they are.

I'm inclined to think that by the time I bought a decent barrel, got it installed and headspaced, found the small parts and forearm, it will be one of those projects that simply isn't worth the time. I have a friend who is a gunsmith who would help with putting the barrel on, but he's a couple hours away and real busy.

I know there has to be some Enfield gurus out there. Is this old thing worth the effort? Anyone want to trade some #4 parts for some #1 parts, or know where I could find a good barrel? If nothing else, does anyone have any idea what this thing is worth for parts?

 

[lee n. field]

Real mix of parts there. Looks like the nosecap off an Ishapore.

 

[Ian Sean]

I started with a disaster of a #4 myself, looks and shoots pretty good too.

Headspace is adjusted on a #4 by changing out bolt heads, not sure on yours though.My bore was pretty frosted, but with a nice treating with Blue Wonder it cleaned up pretty good.

I parkerized mine when I finished the rebuild.

All parts you need are available from Numrich, and other places and shouldn't set you back to bad.

If your bolt serial # matches the reciever # that is a plus...they were made as a set. If you want to it should be a fun project.

From this...


To This...

 

[jpcampbell]

I have worked with less and came out with a good rifle. I did wildcat it though I made it a 25-03 after one my Aussie buddy had, still shoots after 30 years.

 

[Ian Sean]

fatelk, Is it really worth it? I don't know, when I got mine, it was $90, a rusty mess. Worked on it when I could, spent about $40 on the parts..( I already parkerize...so no real cost there) and put a few hours into it when I could.

After a month or two it was done, I am VERY happy with the result, and it means a lot to ME...I fixed it, I cleaned it, I refinished it and now I shoot it. To me it is invaluable now.

Depends on you and if you like to do things like that.

 

[fatelk]

Depends on you and if you like to do things like that.

I love a good project, just have too many already.

Sooner or later I'll start accumulating parts for it, the big ones are a barrel and a forearm. For now though I think it will go back in the closet.

 

[Sunray]

"...changing out bolt heads..." Same way except the bolt heads are not numbered so you need a handful(at $11.30 each from Gunparts) to check by trial and error with proper guages until the bolt doesn't close on a No-Go. Not closing on a Field will do, but it means the headspace is on the high side.
fatelk, Gunparts is listing barrels in "good' condition at $22.50 with no sights. $44.95 with front and rear. The pricey part will be the handful of bolt heads. To install another barrel, you'll need a whole set of headspace guages and a barrel vise and action wrench. Brownell's. Gunparts lists everything else with the exception of nose cap screws and used forestocks.
Or you could send it to a smithy who has a bunch of bolt heads and the guages. Don't ask me who though.

 

[DeltaGunner]

Projects with a challenge

I've spent hours on projects along wth dollars that will never pay off if sold. I did these projects strictly for my self with out the intent on a profitable resale, just self satisfaction.
Gotta have the head space guages.
If you have any machine shop access or know a willing machinist, you might consider having an aluminum bolt end machined that is incementally extendable from the shortest length with spacers and after obtaining the correct length measure and buy what you need. Or take the longest and start out cutting it back until the fit is correct, and measure and obtain the part you need.
It will be a time eater, but I've got a ton of time eaters in my gun room I enjoy looking at and shooting and take some self satisfaction in knowing I turned spare parts and worthless guns into something that works, and some times people attempt to buy, at which time I have to price them out of their interest in getting my pets.