303 loads in a Jungle Carbine

[dromia]

Whats the Indian "copy" John?

[John25]

I'm not at home at the moment so can't furnish any details.

I'll get some numbers/markings etc when I get back next week.

The barrel is dark grey and pitted all the way down. A wet patch down the barrel sounds like two pieces of sandpaper rubbing together but when I push the load and, I assume, expand the heavy bullet into what's left of the grooves, it's fun to shoot and fairly accurate. It seems to shoot better with the bayonet on; and I can only blame poor shots on your truly and can't say that it has a wandering zero which some number fives are reported to suffer from.

Bought it from Fulton's about five years ago.

If I come to selling my guns it will be the last one to go, or my 45/70 or perhaps the 7mm or maybe the SX3 or the underlever? :?

It's the gun which got me into 'F' class!

[Jenks]

Whats the Indian "copy" John?

Dromia..
I was in Fultons last weekend, on the back wall was a carbine fashioned from an SMLE. i asked the chap where it was made, it came as no surprise when he replied 'Ishpahore' I didn't notice what magazine it had attached so no Idea what the calibre was,,, 303 or 7.62mm.


Jenks

[Jenks]

I've just bought a No5 and am aware that they kick like a mule due to shorter barrel and are also prone to inaccuracy due to barrel harmonics. Wisdom seems to dictate reducing the bullet weight to even as low as 125gr and reducing the powder charge! It has a scope on it so I don't need to calibrate the original sight and am only going to use it to a max of 300 yds.

Can anybody suggest a good place to start re load and bullet choice?

Mike 357..


I use the same load for all three of my Enfields. 174 FMJ bullets (Peter Lawman) and Alliant reloader 15 powder’

I am only using Rel 15 because I have plenty of it. But according to the link below it’s not a bad choice.

http://www.303british.com/id15.html


From the link.


Imagine my shock when I found that Reloader 15 was not only more accurate, but delivered near text book velocities as well!



Jenks

[Sandgroper]

Whats the Indian "copy" John?

Dromia..
I was in Fultons last weekend, on the back wall was a carbine fashioned from an SMLE. i asked the chap where it was made, it came as no surprise when he replied 'Ishpahore' I didn't notice what magazine it had attached so no Idea what the calibre was,,, 303 or 7.62mm.


Jenks

India and Australia made some experimental shortened LE from the SMLE both designated as No6. They also experimented with shortened SMLE's with SMLE woodwork with 18 and 20 inch barrels. India and Australia did not produce any carbine versions of the SMLE for their armed forces. This makes those rifles very, very rare. (info from I Skennerton - The British Service Lee)

I have a Ishapore 2A1 which was shortened by either Gibbs Rifle Co or Navy Arms both from the USA. More than likely this is the type of rifle that John has (either as a 2A/2A1 or SMLE), the normal markings won't mean anything other than to indicate the history of the rifle that was butchered. India and Australia did not produce any carbine versions of the SMLE for their armed forces

If and it's very big if, he has one of the original experimental rifles, then he has gold mine in his cabinet and more importantly a rifle of unique historical significance!

[John25]

I have never thought to check it's pedigree but I doubt very much that it's anything special.

I just made it known that I wanted a number five, Colin walked in to the Range Office one day and showed it to me, I said "How much, really? is that all? will it shoot? Colin said "Of course it will shoot - how well is the question"

I took it to short siberia with some odd batch ammo Fred found for me, half an hour later the cash went over the counter.

Its my fun gun, or is it the 45/70 or perhaps the........?

:)

[Sandgroper]

John,
I know what you mean, cheap as chips and lots of fun.

Got bored and turned mine into a scout rifle and even more fun. :lol:

[John25]

Zackly!

[The trakker]

Copy or not, 303 or 7.62 they are a great hunting rifle , short, light & with character :)