JES rifle reboring for .303 Enfield

[rondog]

I have a 1917 Enfield No.1 Mk.III SMLE with a ruined barrel, been considering having JES bore it, I understand they do great work. I understand it will come back as a .35-303?

My question is - what kind of bullets/boolits and dies would one use to load for this? Is there an appropriate mold? Suggestions? Experiences?

Thanks!

[frnkeore]

Two come to mind, the Lyman 358315 (200+ gr) and the RCBS 35 - 200. There is also the heavier and harder to get, Lyman 358318 (245 gr).

You could neck size it and seat the bullet with a 358 Winchester die.

Frank

[rondog]

Thanks! Yeah, 35 is big enough. I'm just thinking boring it would be cheaper than a new barrel. Then there's the wait for Criterion to develop, test and market a barrel.

It's just going to be a target shooter. It's a $100 sporter I'm restoring.

[runfiverun]

if the groove dimensions on the barrel you have now aren't too big, the 8mm or 338 would be viable too.
it might be the better choice as you may be getting a bit thin in the muzzle area going to 35.

[Ben]

I have a 1917 Enfield No.1 Mk.III SMLE with a ruined barrel, been considering having JES bore it, I understand they do great work. I understand it will come back as a .35-303?

My question is - what kind of bullets/boolits and dies would one use to load for this? Is there an appropriate mold? Suggestions? Experiences?

Thanks!

You can talk to Jess about it, but I'm not certain if he will rebore a military barrel?

[rondog]

You can talk to Jess about it, but I'm not certain if he will rebore a military barrel?
I don't know, but his "services" list shows boring Enfields to .35-303, and AFAIK all Enfields are military rifles. So are Krags, and those are listed too. Now, I could see it regarding Garands or other autoloaders.

[Ben]

He may very well rebore military barrels, I don't know ?
I think I'd phone him and be certain before I shipped one.

Ben

[Jupiter7]

He does. A shooting buddy has an 03' bored to .375 Whelen from JES.

[303Guy]

I'M not sure the SMLE barrel can be bored to 375. There are sight mounting holes drilled into it. 357 would be fine. Not much barrel stiffness would be lost either since material is removed from the inside and then not much. I would do it.

[murf205]

I don't know, but his "services" list shows boring Enfields to .35-303, and AFAIK all Enfields are military rifles. So are Krags, and those are listed too. Now, I could see it regarding Garands or other autoloaders.
He rebored a 30/06 BAR(Belgium) for me to a 338/06 and it shoots lights out. I talked to some other reborers and they offered many excuses why they didn't want to rebore a Browning BAR, but JES did it and it NEVER shot this good when it was an 06. Just my thoughts, but you can't beat his work or turn around time.
Murf

[Tatume]

... and AFAIK all Enfields are military rifles.

Not all Enfields are military rifles. Many have been produced for civilian use, made to a higher standard of fit and finish. The Lee-Speed comes immediately to mind.

[nvbirdman]

You could also have a barrel liner installed and keep it a .303.

[rondog]

You could also have a barrel liner installed and keep it a .303.

Aaaand, who does that?

[bruce drake]

I just had a conversation with Jess on Friday about possibly reboring a 30-06 Garand barrel to 35 caliber for chambering as a 35 Whelen. He says he's done it before so I think I found a use for the shot-out garand barrel that has been in my parts locker for a couple of years.

I was hoping for a conversion to 8mm-06 but he doesn't rebore that small. Oh well, just another die set to purchase as well...

Bruce

[MT Chambers]

Saeco's 245 gr FP gc is a hammer in any .35 cal. that I've tried.