Project Question

[Blackthorne45]

Howdy ya'll, I have been lurking here for awhile and have found a wealth of information.
I have been shooting and reloading for a number of years now, and have just started to get into casting my own.
I have a question for you I would like to make up a blackpowder bolt gun and I was thinking of something in the line of a *4 MK1 rebarreled to 38/55. Would this be possible and would there be any problems?

[bruce drake]

Considering Gibbs has rebarreled this same action for 45-70, I don't think there would be an issue safety wise rebarreling the rifle to 38/55.

Bruce

[omgb]

Savage and a few others make or have made, bolt guns for the 30-30. Converting one of these to 38-55 would be the easiest and most likely, the most satisfying. The Enfield project is going to give you fits with the bolt face, feed rails and you will still have to rebarrel. Why not skip the falderal and work with a platform designed around the 30-30 case to begin with. Shoot, why not go for the 375 Win. It is a hot-rodded (to a degree) 38-55. then you would have the best of both worlds; a BP/Smokeless rifle that shoots either very well. Just a suggestion. You may actually enjoy attacking the problems of the Enfield conversion in which case, I'll shut up and sit down. :)

[45 2.1]

Why don't you think of a BP cartridge that uses the basic 303 British/30-40 Krag base case like the 40-60 Maynard. Shorten the case slightly and use the common 0.410" groove barrel. Dies are standard now.

[wills]

http://www.militaryrifles.com/Germany/71-84Mau.htm

[Blackthorne45]

Thanks guys I haven't thought of Savage or others making basicly making what I had in mind.
Since I don't own a machine shop or have access to one I will have to have this hired out for any machining to be done.
This is going to require more cognating on my part.

[Four Fingers of Death]

http://www.militaryrifles.com/Germany/71-84Mau.htm

Nice looking rifle, that is about .433 of an inch isn't it?

How do you go for brass?

As to the conversion of a No4, I'd leave it alone unless you are a tinkerer or have a cheap/free barrel.

You can pick up a used 375 Big bore or 45/70 Marlin or new Handi Gun for what you would probably pay for the rebarreling.

The 303/35 is ok.

For a rechamber, the 303 Epps adds a bit of power and improves brass life. Another good conversion is to rechamber to 7.62x54. This is usually more accurate and ammo is cheapnd more importantly available. Requires a bit of fiddling apparently.

http://www3.sympatico.ca/shooters/303Page.htm

Good luck with it.