I have this 'sporterized' SMLE with a fairly tight bore that is actually quite good for the first 3/4 of it's length. Well, I found that paper patched boolits were engaging the rifling unevenly. I suspected an offset chamber and further testing has convinced me this is the case. The last boolit I tested shows a distorted base where the uneven entry into the bore is most evident.
Is there any hope for this rifle? Can such a rifle ever shoot straight? What would be the best bullets to try?
A normal patch, fired in another rifle
A patch from this rifle.
A boolit showing the two sides
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In the first image the rifling impression goes up to the nose while in the second image the impression is only on the base shank. Notice also the base rebate is ironed out in the first image but still present in the second.