"New" SMLE

[JeffinNZ]

Hi

Just took receipt of my 'new' SMLE.

1917 No1 MkIII, FTRed in 1953. Has a mint bore and very tidy woodwork. Marked 'DP' for drill purpose but it's tight and tidy so I am guessing that occured after the FTR as in the mid 50's our armed forces changed to the FN FAL/SLR.

Looking to use it for an 'as issued' cast bullet workhorse for target and wallaby hunting.

Photos as follows:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v505/JeffinNZ/Shooting%20stuff/100-0053_IMG.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v505/JeffinNZ/Shooting%20stuff/100-0052_IMG.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v505/JeffinNZ/Shooting%20stuff/100-0051_IMG.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v505/JeffinNZ/Shooting%20stuff/100-0050_IMG.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v505/JeffinNZ/Shooting%20stuff/100-0049_IMG.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v505/JeffinNZ/Shooting%20stuff/100-0048_IMG.jpg

[bruce drake]

Aghh!

Can you say JEALOUS!!!

Beautiful condition for her age. I hope she shoots as good as she looks. Have you headspaced her yet?

Bruce

[JeffinNZ]

Not yet Bruce. Will do though.

J

[robertbank]

Jeez, had a NIB SMLE a few years back, sold it for $100. Cdn. Dumbest thing I have done in a long time.

Take Care

Bob

[Four Fingers of Death]

Funny that it has the cut off plate after going through the Wksp in the 50s. Though it might have been fitted by an owner after that. If you don't know the history of it I'd be looking at it reallllllllllllll careful. It was probably made a Drill rifle because of the pitted finish. What we can see of the Bbl looks good. Take the wood off and make sure it has not been drilled through or something like that. Apart from being careful, have a lot of fun with what looks like a nice old rifle. Mick.

[Buckshot]

...............My first thought also was FTR'd and still has the cutoff? Nifty looking old piece. With a 1917 date I'd say it has a very good chance of being a real veteran. Wonder how many different sets of hands have carried her in harms way?

..............Buckshot

[9.3X62AL]

Nice old critter. I have a 1918 BSA, exterior about like your example and bore not nearly so good. I think that once it gets boolits fat enough for full traction in its .315" grooves/.3155" throat, it might do better work. It threatens to be accurate, but boolits caroming around and rattling down that widebody gas tube messes up good groups. In a 10-shot group, 6 or 7 will be inside 1.5" at 50 yards--but 3 or 4 will get poetic and spoil the fun.

[NVcurmudgeon]

Al, at yesterday's visit to BRGS, I saw an Old Lyman GC RN mould in .319" dia. Maybe it was made for .303s of the more commodious persuasion. It will probably be there still in November. He makes every show and is a little bit on the pricey side.

[Four Fingers of Death]

The cutoff plate must have been added later looking at it again, the blueing on the plate is darker than any other part of the old girl. MIck.

[floodgate]

Al, at yesterday's visit to BRGS, I saw an Old Lyman GC RN mould in .319" dia. Maybe it was made for .303s of the more commodious persuasion. It will probably be there still in November. He makes every show and is a little bit on the pricey side.

NV:

The Ideal / Lyman Handbooks and catalogs have listed some sixteen different bullets with the #319... caliber prefix over the years; all appear to have been intended for the .32-40. But if they work in an oversized .303, that's a bonus. If you get the mould, PM me or post its number stamp and I will look it up for you.

floodgate

[JeffinNZ]

I concure with 4Fingermick. I believe the magazine cutoff has been added later too as I is in much better condition than the balance of the receiver.

MICK: Have stripped down and the barrel is a definition refit and is in superb condition. Have yet to headspace but it all appears tight as a duck's a..... well, you know what I mean.

Just ordered a 220gr bullet mould from Jim at CBE for it. Want to duplicate a Mk VI load. Can't wait to make noise.

[Bigjohn]

Jeff

It is possible that the cut off plate was replaced after the rifle was struck off or as a Service training addition. I have a LITHGOW ShMLE Mk1 no 3* 1917 vintage which has a heavy barrel (Range mod.) 'H' marked on knox form.

The cutoff plate has been re-installed for big/full bore target shooting. Sight bases attached for Central or BSA long range peep. Also has the original rear sight stiil insitu.

The pic of the bore on yours looks perfect; is it a heavy or standard weight replacement? It couldn't be the original could it, too good a condition.

Mate, I suggest ya slug the bore, start casting, loading and then have fun shooting.

The bore on mine is as good as one could want on a new rifle. Excellent for cast boolits. I have one of Jim's mold (which I have not used yet) but at present I use LYMANS 314299. It shoots quite well.

Hope yours will too, keep us posted.

John.:drinks:

[PAT303]

Jeff load that slug over 20 to 23 grains off 2207, my smle luv's e'm Pat

[Four Fingers of Death]

Thats what I was looking at, the barrel is the thicker target type I think and the hole in the nose piece has been relieved a bit, old range rifle, should shot ok. MIck.

[JeffinNZ]

Guys, I have ordered Jim's 313 220 GC.

My No. 4 Mk 2 loves the fat Lyman 311466 I have. I had the mould 1) opened to drop WW at .315 and one cavity cut to a truncated flat nose weighing 175gr. 17gr of 2205 under the 175gr out of the No. 4 goes like a house on fire. 2 MOA.

Concure again Mick. The barrel is like new. It is not a Lithgow H though. Must have been re tubed at the FTR then saw no work after that.