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Old March 2, 2009, 08:35 AM   #9
SwampYankee
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Join Date: November 1, 2008
Location: I can be found on a number of other forums.
Posts: 1,333
Quote:
a bore like a Subic Bay hooker
LMOA. Really.

I always check my Enfields with a Forster Field Gauge. The problem is that the gauge is 0.070". The British used 0.074" for their maximum headspace. So even if the SAMMI gauge calls it no-good, it may still be OK. I have had case head separation with my reloads so to prevent it, cartridges are only used in the same rifle in which they were first fired and only neck sized. But even if you have a blow out, you won't know it until you open the bolt, the Enfield will generally keep you pretty safe.

Depending upon how bad the pitting is, it may affect accuracy, especially around the throat. I've got a No. 1 Mark III that spent it's days in the Indian jungles and the throat is a mess of corrosive-primer pitting. The accuracy is OK, combat acceptable, but it will never be a precision weapon.

Below is a great reference of Enfield headspacing (he's gotten 20 reloads out of his cartridges):

http://parallaxscurioandrelicfirearm...for-303-s.html
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