Lee Enfield No 5 Mk I Bullet Diameter

golfnutrlv · October 12, 2010, 07:26 PM

Hey everyone,

Does anyone have any solid numbers on which bullet size I can use in the Enfield No 5??

All my research says .311 (150 Gr Sierra). I really want to try some 174 Gr Hornady FMJ seeing that is the bullet weight the rifle was built around. Only issue is, they are .312. Anyone think there is a problem running that down my barrel which is in excellent condition.

Thanks,

zippy13 · October 13, 2010, 01:32 AM

Wouldn't it be better to actually measure your gun instead of guessing?

**Unclenick** · October 13, 2010, 01:41 AM

Golfnutrlv,

The suggestion to slug your bore to measure the actual groove diameter is a good one, though I can't recall if you have an even or odd land count? The odd ones take a little more elaborate measuring setup to arrive at the land diameter.

Meanwhile, while that diameter is critical for cast bullets, it is less so for jacketed bullets within a narrow range. For example, U.S. .30 cal has the familiar 0.308" diameter. But if you look at the barrel specifications for the Garand and Springfield, they allow the groove diameter to be +/- 0.0015". In other words, 0.3065" to 0.3095". The bullets themselves have a tolerance of +0.001"/-0.000", so 0.308" to 0.309". At any rate, you are within normal military specs to use the 0.312" bullet. Just work the load up with that bullet, watching for pressure signs.

PAdutchman · October 13, 2010, 06:56 AM

A .311 or .312 diameter bullet is fine for the Enfield #5 MK1.

chiefr · October 13, 2010, 09:48 AM

Unclenick is spot on.

Every time I see a #5 thread I can not help but mentioning the narrowed hard rubber butt plate on the #5. IMHO it magnifies the recoil on this light rifle and makes it very noticeable.

golfnutrlv · October 13, 2010, 11:15 AM

Alright, thanks everyone.

So, how would I go about measuring my bore? Do I need a special tool? Never had occassion to measure a bore before.

Finally, I am very familiar with that rubber pad!!

Personally, I don't know what the designers had in their tea the morning they decided that it would help with recoil.

Really not an issue for me however. Not realy recoil sensitive.

Thanks all,

chiefr · October 13, 2010, 02:09 PM

I read somewhere that the rubber pad was to prevent the stock from cracking thru rough abuse not to cushion recoil. The #5 is one tough rifle.

I have fired at many many of rounds of the different belted magnums to include the 450 Lott. I do not consider myself recoil sensitive however the lightness of the #5 and design of the stock buttplate is noticeable.

I would call a local gunsmith and ask them about "Slugging" your bore if you have concerns like Unclenick said. I do not claim to be an expert on this process, but it is a process in that they can do an exact measurement of your bore.
Years ago I aquired a milsurp mauser that I had not a clue what it was and had the bore slugged and a chamber cast made. It was a 7x57. Cost was very reasonable.

nanuk-O-dah-Nort · October 21, 2010, 07:29 PM

I think it was P.O. Ackley who did tests on bullet diameter....

He found that as long as the round will easily chamber, and there is ample neck room for bullet release, the oversized bullet is really no issue.

the higher pressures come from the neck not allowing bullet release.

the chamber pressure is well above what it takes to swage a bullet.

even Lee has a blurb about swaging down jacketed bullets in the Lee push through sizers.

Just make sure you are not close to max loads, and the neck has room for release and you should be fine

October 12, 2010, 07:26 PM	#1
golfnutrlv Senior Member Join Date: November 5, 2008 Location: Spokane, WA Posts: 1,347	Lee Enfield No 5 Mk I Bullet Diameter Hey everyone, Does anyone have any solid numbers on which bullet size I can use in the Enfield No 5?? All my research says .311 (150 Gr Sierra). I really want to try some 174 Gr Hornady FMJ seeing that is the bullet weight the rifle was built around. Only issue is, they are .312. Anyone think there is a problem running that down my barrel which is in excellent condition. Thanks, __________________ ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ VIGILIA PRETIUM LIBERTATIS "The price of liberty is vigilance" America is at an awkward stage. It's too late to work within the system, but too early to shoot the bastards.

October 13, 2010, 01:41 AM	#3
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,063	Golfnutrlv, The suggestion to slug your bore to measure the actual groove diameter is a good one, though I can't recall if you have an even or odd land count? The odd ones take a little more elaborate measuring setup to arrive at the land diameter. Meanwhile, while that diameter is critical for cast bullets, it is less so for jacketed bullets within a narrow range. For example, U.S. .30 cal has the familiar 0.308" diameter. But if you look at the barrel specifications for the Garand and Springfield, they allow the groove diameter to be +/- 0.0015". In other words, 0.3065" to 0.3095". The bullets themselves have a tolerance of +0.001"/-0.000", so 0.308" to 0.309". At any rate, you are within normal military specs to use the 0.312" bullet. Just work the load up with that bullet, watching for pressure signs. __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle

October 13, 2010, 11:15 AM	#6
golfnutrlv Senior Member Join Date: November 5, 2008 Location: Spokane, WA Posts: 1,347	Alright, thanks everyone. So, how would I go about measuring my bore? Do I need a special tool? Never had occassion to measure a bore before. Finally, I am very familiar with that rubber pad!! Personally, I don't know what the designers had in their tea the morning they decided that it would help with recoil. Really not an issue for me however. Not realy recoil sensitive. Thanks all, __________________ ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ VIGILIA PRETIUM LIBERTATIS "The price of liberty is vigilance" America is at an awkward stage. It's too late to work within the system, but too early to shoot the bastards.

October 13, 2010, 02:09 PM	#7
chiefr Senior Member Join Date: January 27, 2010 Location: AR Posts: 1,401	I read somewhere that the rubber pad was to prevent the stock from cracking thru rough abuse not to cushion recoil. The #5 is one tough rifle. I have fired at many many of rounds of the different belted magnums to include the 450 Lott. I do not consider myself recoil sensitive however the lightness of the #5 and design of the stock buttplate is noticeable. I would call a local gunsmith and ask them about "Slugging" your bore if you have concerns like Unclenick said. I do not claim to be an expert on this process, but it is a process in that they can do an exact measurement of your bore. Years ago I aquired a milsurp mauser that I had not a clue what it was and had the bore slugged and a chamber cast made. It was a 7x57. Cost was very reasonable. Last edited by chiefr; October 13, 2010 at 08:48 PM.

October 21, 2010, 07:29 PM	#8
nanuk-O-dah-Nort Member Join Date: October 21, 2010 Posts: 20	within reason I think it was P.O. Ackley who did tests on bullet diameter.... He found that as long as the round will easily chamber, and there is ample neck room for bullet release, the oversized bullet is really no issue. the higher pressures come from the neck not allowing bullet release. the chamber pressure is well above what it takes to swage a bullet. even Lee has a blurb about swaging down jacketed bullets in the Lee push through sizers. Just make sure you are not close to max loads, and the neck has room for release and you should be fine

October 13, 2010, 01:32 AM	#2
zippy13 Senior Member Join Date: August 23, 2008 Location: SoCal Posts: 6,442	Wouldn't it be better to actually measure your gun instead of guessing?

October 13, 2010, 06:56 AM	#4
PAdutchman Member Join Date: July 26, 2008 Posts: 44	A .311 or .312 diameter bullet is fine for the Enfield #5 MK1.

October 13, 2010, 09:48 AM	#5
chiefr Senior Member Join Date: January 27, 2010 Location: AR Posts: 1,401	Unclenick is spot on. Every time I see a #5 thread I can not help but mentioning the narrowed hard rubber butt plate on the #5. IMHO it magnifies the recoil on this light rifle and makes it very noticeable.