Winchester 1895 .303 British

[Pioneer2]

I am debating either re-barreling a worn barrel in original caliber or getting a re-bore to 338-303.Also perhaps a 30-303 for better bullet availability. RCBS wants almost $300 for the 338-303 die set.C+H will make them for $100.The wood is rough so this is not butchering a collector piece by any means.

[Red River Rick]

Why not stick to something more nostalga..................like .35 Winchester.

You can rebore the existing barrel and leave the factory barrel, with markings, intact. If the existing .303 chamber isn't pitted or oversized, the finishing reamer would be all you need.


RRR

[Pioneer2]

I don't want a wall hanger I can't get brass for that's why...............

[The Black Spot]

I would go for the 30 or 35-303.

[Red River Rick]

I don't want a wall hanger I can't get brass for that's why...............

Pioneer2:

I have 100's of rounds of .35 Win brass, I'm sure I could spare a hundred...................all you have to do is ask! I'd be glad to help out if you choose to go the .35 route.

RRR

[Ecramer]

Down here, I'd go with .30-40 Krag (I think you could make that work) but up there, I'd rebarrel to .303 as you plan.

[Pioneer2]

Red River Rick...........Thanx for the kind offer I'll have to do a little more pondering.I talked to a guy that has had a couple done ,re-bored to .405 Although I've reloaded for 30 years ammo/components availability is never a sure thing with all the greasy politicians these days and the .405 will probably fade into oblivion again.I likely will end up .303 British as you can buy them at any sporting goods store in a pinch.Not the long 28" pipe that's on it but something you can swing in less than a 40 acre swath.While I'm at it here's a query, will button rifled barrels shoot cast? Wildcats are a niche market after I'm pushing daisies.

[Dan Cash]

If the metal is not too bad, why ot have the barrel sleeved? Not a thing wrong with your choice of .303. I have a 95 that started life as a .30-40. I had John Taylor sleeve the bore back to .30-40 and am tickled pink; the gun really shoots and is my constant companion. Had it been a .303 that would be the caliber if John had a liner in that caliber.

[Pioneer2]

With the politics the way they are these days I can't buy a shotgun bead or be in possession of one on US soil much less send a gun there for custom work.I know of no one up here that does that kind of work.I can get a new .303 [proper .311 not .314 Ruger did on their #1's] for around $600 installed ,sights refitted and blued.British ammo and chamber specs were never known for their accuracy like our Ross rifle.Again politics sunk that rifle because of sloppy British ammo tolerances.The .303 British is a near clone/equivalent of your 30-40 Krag.Everything shootable has been shot in Canada with the .303

[Multigunner]

A .303 chambering of a .308 bore barrel will result in an increase in pressure. How significant the increase might be is dependent on the strength of the action.
If you intend to use only cast boolit loads, with occasional use of jacketed bullet loads that are well within the original factory specs then the smaller bore size should not be a problem.
I would avoid use of milspec ball in a model 95, unless you knew the exact pressure specs for the round. Some .303 ammo may be too hot for the model 95, just as some US .30-06 proved too hot for the 95 in that chambering.

You might enquire about barrels made for the reproduction model 95 rifles. I do not know if the threading of the shank is exactly the same.
This were made in .30-40 and in .30-06, I haven't heard of a repro in .303.

Find the shank thread specs of .303 military rifles ( Lee Enfield, P-14) and compare these to the model 95 threads. Perhaps one of the mil spec replacement barrels can be rethreaded to fit your rifle.
If not the Australian method of boring out the shank and fitting a turned down shank of a barrel to fit may be an option.
One can go all the way back and replace chamber, or just go back far enough to replace the bore and throat portion.
Done properly these work well enough so long as you stay within original pressure specs.

[Pioneer2]

What some did was use a .303 chamber with a a 30-06 throat so factory .303 British would not chamber.Brass for the .303 is common here but not for the 30-40 Krag.Winchester never was big on selling parts or barrels to the public and up here not happening with all the restrictions.With a lever I'd be hesitant to have too tight a chamber for extraction reasons.The P-14 are again oversized .414 or mostly larger so anything other than cast is kinda iffy.Wildcats based on the .303 case are many but only good if the gun has a reloader in the family.A .303 will handle moose and even grizzly if need be........

[Multigunner]

What some did was use a .303 chamber with a a 30-06 throat so factory .303 British would not chamber.Brass for the .303 is common here but not for the 30-40 Krag.Winchester never was big on selling parts or barrels to the public and up here not happening with all the restrictions.With a lever I'd be hesitant to have too tight a chamber for extraction reasons.The P-14 are again oversized (.314 correcting perceived typo) or mostly larger so anything other than cast is kinda iffy.Wildcats based on the .303 case are many but only good if the gun has a reloader in the family.A .303 will handle moose and even grizzly if need be........

Some M1917 rifles have bores close to .310-.311.
From what I've read, contary to earlier speculations that these were made from .303 P-14 barrel blanks, the over size for .30 bore was that way because they were going by the .30-40 Krag bore tolerances and gauging of the time rather than trying for a standard .308 bore as the Springfield and most other .30-06 rifles used.
When and if they chose to use a .308 bore diameter I have no idea.

A lightly pitted take off barrel with .308 bore might be lead lapped to .310 or so and all pitting removed, plus if done right the bore would be nice and shiny and more consistent in diameter than otherwise.

A too tight throat will cause increased pressure faster than an over sized bullet.

To avoid canting of the bullet of a chambered round I neck size only 2/3 the length of the case neck, so a generous chamber neck is no big problem when using handloads.

If pressure is kept below the elastic limit of the brass neck sized reloads should chamber easily enough.

[stocker]

Pioneer 2: As regards button rifled shooting cast the answer is yes; very well as a matter of fact. Bevan King up in Pouce Coupe near Dawson Creek makes a fine button rifled barrel(s). I have two of his 1/14, 5 groove 35 caliber barrels chambered for Whelens. He is worth contacting as he may also be able to fit your rifle with a 35 Win or 35/303 chambering. Not sure if he also makes barrels in .303 bore.

[stocker]

Pioneer 2; The last contact # I have for Bevan is; 1-250-786-5200. Not sure if it's still a valid number or not as it's been a about 3 years since I talked to him.

[Pioneer2]

Right on! Thanx a bunch! He's well known for his barrels just couldn't locate him.****Managed to get a hold of him and he is quite knowledgeable on the 95's.He is willing to maybe take it on at a later date but is having health issues at present .Seemed like a nice guy.

[Pioneer2]

The rifle arrived in the mail today and the bore looks better than described so After I give it a bore soak in Kroil will see what I can get out.The previous owner was shooting 2" groups with cast at 50 yards.Guess we'll see.It's a long barrel 28" with ebony insert on a snabel forend.Rear crescent stock split and farm repair with two pins riveted .The price was right at $350 as the blue book lists $775 at 10% finish.Made in 1915 according to the books.

[rintinglen]

You stole that one if it shoots at all . Congratulations on your "new" rifle.