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I have a Lithgow 1944 SMLE - It has a heavy barrel (from original), but I bought it 2nd/3rd hand, and have since put 2000+ rounds down it - Up until recently it shot PPU bullets well and SMKs very well, but now seems to be losing its accuracy - The barrel isn't 'shiny' any more, though the rifling doesn't look too bad, but the last time I cleaned it (I clean it after every shoot) I couldn't get a clean patch out of it...

...my fear is the barrel is on it's way out (that's my first question)?

If that is the case, then could I get more accuracy (and barrel life (don't really wan't to re-barrel it)) from cast boolits that fit the barrel better? (to 300 yards) - And can you use cast Boolits in the same way as jackets, i.e. can you feed them with a strip clip, and fire them rapidly?

Paging Dromia...

...I couldn't just say ' Oi Dromia!' razz

...and there may be others who can advise me on the barrel situation...

If that is the case, then could I get more accuracy (and barrel life (don't really wan't to re-barrel it)) from cast boolits that fit the barrel better? (to 300 yards)


And can you use cast Boolits in the same way as jackets, i.e. can you feed them with a strip clip, and fire them rapidly?

Yes you can to both questions. if you are not shooting past 300 yards it makes perfect sense to use cast boolits. You need to slug your bore before you do any thing else.

Dromia will be along in a minute to advise.

Oops don't take any notice of me I know nothing about re loading.

Cheers Alpha, I think I'll try a few then...I'll have a read up on the 'bore-slugging' thing...

Edit: Confirming that you can feed them from a mag is enough for me to try it...I'll bug Adam for details later... razz

The first thing you need to do is scrub your bore and get it squeaky clean then slug your bore Adam will give you details its a fairly easy process. Once you have slugged your bore and have the measurements Adam will be able to advise I am sure.

Out of interest, what is your cleaning routine Dougan?

I suspect that you "problem" may be more the throat that just the bore, so it would be better to make a chamber impact cast as well as slugging so that you know what you are dealing with.

Cast is easy to get shooting out to 600 so don't limit your self to just 300yrds.

Charlie Muggins wrote:Out of interest, what is your cleaning routine Dougan?

After every shoot - 10 passes (5 forward 5 back) with a bronze brush soaked in 009 (all the way through (no scrubbing) and using the lighter pro shot brushes) - leave for 20/30 mins - Then 3 or 4 dry patches of 4 b'2 (forward only) to push the crud out - Then a couple of scrubs with a tad of oil (so they don't stick) on a few more patches - Then dry patches until they come out clean - I also clean the chambers with 2 patches on a shotgun brush to make sure that there's no solvent left in there - Then one more patch with oil before putting it away...and dry patch again before using it.

I do have some CR2, but think the barrel could be pitted, so don't want to over clean it...if I switch to cast I'd change my cleaning routine...I'll take advise on it, but some lead in the pitting may even help...?

dromia wrote:I suspect that you "problem" may be more the throat that just the bore, so it would be better to make a chamber impact cast as well as slugging so that you know what you are dealing with.

Cast is easy to get shooting out to 600 so don't limit your self to just 300yrds.

I need to put some time aside to read back on the details and look at it seriously - I seem to remember that the chamber impact cast sounded a bit complicated...but I'd like to try and slug the bore as soon a possible...

...quick question - what type of lead ball do I need to use...would something I could get from a BP shooter at my club be OK, or does it need to be pure lead?