.303 Lee Enfield 'splits shells'

[crazyhair]

Can someone tell me how this can be fixed and if it needs to be?

From what I've been told it splits shells and should not be used.

how much would it cost and is it worth fixing?

otherwise its in MINT condition

[Big Dog]

First thing is, does it do that with old milsurp ammo, or with good commercial fodder? I've seen old .303 British ammo that hangs fire, and also tends to split the case mouth. The old brass gets brittle. Bad ammo.
If it does this with all ammo, beware! That chamber may be worn oversized.

This gun should be taken to a good gunsmith familiar with milsurps, and the problem explained to him. He can tell you if it's safe to shoot or not.

[crazyhair]

I have no idea what ammo it was tested with, but it was tested by someone who worked at winchester maybe 30 years ago, hasn't been fired since then.

I would of thought conventional ammo, but I guess how would I know.

[Big Dog]

I'd still have a good 'smith check it out. He could check the headspace (they made several boltfaces for this), and maybe make a chamber casting and check it against the proper dimensions. After that length of time, nothing should be taken for granted! People's memories waver - mine too!

[crazyhair]

if the headspace is out, or the chamber is worn, is the gun basically garbage then?

[Big Dog]

If it's a headspace issue, and it has a #1 or #2 bolthead, the next size bolthead might fix it. If the chamber is over-size, it may be a wall-hanger - maybe someone else has any ideas. But a gunsmith could tell you whether it's worth messing with. With the price on Enfields being what they are, might be better just to pass and look at others.
I have one I bought from SOG that looked rough at first, but it cleaned up very nice, and is an excellent shooter!

[G Hollingsworth]

Split cases as far as I am concerned is not much to worry about unless you reload. To check head space is easy,with out a headspace gauge. Pull a bullet and dump the caudite(Crap) reprime with new primer and fire the primer.depending on how far the primer sticks out will tell you. if it comes out in 2 pieces there is too much head space. I would find out myself where it splits. if its only the neck,no big thing, even head separation, if the body splits ,hang it on the wall.just ware safty glasses so as not to get powder in the eyes. In almost all mit. rifles have a gas escape hole uasualy on the side or bottom to allow escaping gas to be channeled away from the shooter. If it scares you let a friend you don't like shoot it. All kiding aside its not that big a deal,the person that told you it split cases was there to tell you.

[crazyhair]

My understanding was, if it splits cases, something isn't working the way it should (duh), but... I was under the impression that when something splits cases instead of firing the bullet, the rifle can choose to fire the bolt, backwards through your head, and hence, somewhat of a serious issue, lol.

[PAPA G]

common thing, most .303's are made with an oversized chamber, but some are tighter than others.

the reason is that as a military weapon it must function in all sorts of conditions, mud, sand, what ever. a tight chamber may prevent the next round from chambeing in the heat of battle. the soldier does not save expended cartridges to reload. all thats required is for the round to go bang, and eject.

after a "knowledgible gunsmith" checks it out, go have fun with it.

[crazyhair]

is having the bolt fire backwards through your head on a 303 enfield a common occurance?

or was that other guns? I know some other ww2 guns and stuff did that,

[PAPA G]

have no fear, some numbnutz told you b/s. the Enfield design is a good'n

[crazyhair]

really?

well then if the bolt isn't known to shoot backwards through your head, why would it matter if it splits shells?

why would I have been told not to fire it?

[G Hollingsworth]

If the bolt recoils through your head,whats to worry about. First off you can choose to hear or not. When a rifle blows up the receiver comes apart,not the bolt sheering off and going through you head. 303 emits aprox.30k lbs which is in fact fairely lo presure for a rifle. I have blown up a number of rifles intentionly just to see for my self what it would take. About the only chance a 303 would blow is if you jammed a bullet in the end of the barrel or a full charge of Bullseye, and then fired it. A jap 7,7 took a full charge of Bullseye, had to hammer the bolt open and peal out the blown and SPLIT case. As I said before no big deal. If your worred throw it away but don't replace it with a Carcarno.

[crazyhair]

hrmm interesting,

still makes me wonder about 'splits shells, don't fire it'

wondering why I shouldn't fire it.

[PAPA G]

fer chrisssakes this is a bunch of ****ing !!!!!!!!. if you have the Enfield look at the massive guide lug that also doubles as a locking lug for the bolt. that sucker will survive atomic hotloads, the ****ing bolt is not going to give anyone a !!!!ing lobotomy.

and another thing, anyone can blow up any rifle if they try hard enough, thats a no !!!!ing brainer kiddy's. any rifle, yes even cracanos properly used with proper ammunition, will die of worn bore syndrome before any other part goes south.

crazyhair if you still have doubts send it to me, you'll shoot yer !!!!ing eye out kid. i guarantee to give it loving care and respect, and wear out the bore.

God this is the last for me this subjects is a pile of dog !!!!.

[crazyhair]

Winchester said not to shoot it, big guy. :insane:

[PAPA G]

Originally Posted by crazyhair

but it was tested by someone who worked at winchester maybe 30 years ago, hasn't been fired since then.

thats not exactly a reliable test, was the someone an accountant. like i said before send it too me and i'll see that it gets love and attention

[crazyhair]

http://members.optushome.com.au/lee-enfield/ri12.htm