No.4 Enfield problem - over pressure?

[bnz41]

Dromia


"Firearms can be lethal but only with human intervention"


That is so so true.....

[duff eyed doyle]

Had the same problem with pierced primers using S&B factory ammunition in my No.4 T checked the rifle head space and firing pin protrusion all fine. In my case I blame it on poor quality ammunition as I have subsequently shot homeloads,privi and RG/HXP milsurp with no issues.

[ovenpaa]

I have put maybe 160 S&B factory rounds through my 4(T) and so far so good, in fact they have returned good results, they are certainly better at longer distances than short range stuff.

[huntervixen]

Hi all,

I shoot a 1917 Enfield made SMLE and a 1943 Maltby made No4 mk 1, both rifles run fine on PPU ammo, no problems at all, on the subject of stretched cases I believe the SMLE has a larger chamber diameter, designed to cope with trench mud ingress!

The only potentially serious problem ( disappear in a cloud of shrapnel and wood splinters serious) I have had, is when my friend had a go on the No4, now he knows his way around an Enfield, so I thought it was odd he was having trouble chambering the first round, I stepped forward took the rifle and made it safe.

I was surprised to see the firing pin 4mm proud of the bolt head :shock: ....the cocking piece arm had snapped clean off!!!!

I now have to shoot with a Long Branch replacement cocking piece until I can find another "smooth" un-fluted War time replacement.

Cheers, John.

[Gaz]

It's the ammo alright. Fired all of ten rounds - two pierced primers, visible flattening of most primers and (as I found afterwards) a damaged striker from bits of metal primer being blown down the striker hole in the bolt face and taking off the surface of the striker as it worked its way down the bolt. I'm fairly sure it must have been the same thing causing light strikes as the metal obstructed the striker.

Someone else with a No.4 tried the same S&B .303 with similar results, although he didn't damage his striker. I borrowed five rounds of PPU and they shot perfectly. Still getting the five radial bulges on the shoulders, though... perhaps I have a damaged chamber?

I stripped the bolt afterwards and had a look at the striker and spring. Damage aside, they were in really good condition. Bit cruddy from old oil deposits but that wiped off OK.


I did take the rifle to Fultons, who reckoned (by eye) that the striker protrusion was a bit excessive. As I'm not happy with the condition of the striker after today's shoot, my next step is to take the rifle to Fred the NRA armourer for a new one. I had a chat to him about it and he says he can do me a decent price on a replacement, and hopefully I can ask him about .303 prices while I'm at it.

Anyone want ~50ish rounds of S&B? It don't work for me! :lol:

[ovenpaa]

I very much doubt you have damaged the chamber and caused the five radial bulges on the shoulders, this sounds to be something that was evident before you chambered the first round. Any chance of a close up picture of the shoulder of a fired case?

[Gaz]

That's about the best picture I've got of it. I mentioned it to Fred, he looked hard but didn't really pass comment on it.

[ovenpaa]

Are they equispaced Gaz?

[Gaz]

Yes, they are. Rifling related, maybe?

[ovenpaa]

Rifling related. Hmm.... Where did the barrel come from and did it have the chamber cut at the same time as it was fitted? Time to stuff an endoscope down it and have a closer look.