Will 308 Nato fully chamber in 303 British Chamber?

[SPRINGFIELDM141972]

The title pretty much says it all. I spoke with my little brother who described a recent trade that he aquired over the phone. What he descibed to me sounds like a Lee Enfield, but he was "told" it was chambered for 308. When I asked about barrel markings he stated that it had the same serial number as every other part of the rifle. Were some of these chambered for 308 or is he chambering the wrong round?!

Regards,
Everett

[The Double D]

Yep some were chambered in .308. Late model ones. Someone Lee Enfield knowledgable can tell you which.

[45nut]

http://enfieldrifles.profusehost.net/ri5.htm

That should help!

[corvette8n]

These rifles are chambered for 7.62 NATO not .308 pressure.
I would only shoot mild cast loads or the reduced recoil .308 from Remington or Federal.

see www.surplusrifle.com for an article on the Indian Enfields. they also have an article on the reduced recoil load for these rifles.

If you shoot full power .308 you are risking personal injury.

[brennemanj83]

I had an SMLE in 308.Loved that rifle it was agreat shooter.stick with 7.62 nato specs as it will not handle full pressure 308win loads.

[JohnH]

What would 7.62 Nato pressure specs be?

[twidget]

What would 7.62 Nato pressure specs be?

7.62 NATO is 50,000 c.u.p. .308 Win. is 52,000 c.u.p.

[Jim]

There was one model chambered for .308 called the Tanker. It was called that because it was shorter than the usual SMLE for use by tank troops. I have one standing up next to my Lithgow 1942 .303.

[curator]

No, a .308 win or 7.62 Nato cartridge will not chamber in a normal .303 british rifle. The .308 case is .468-.470 in diameter as compared to the .303 british at .457-462. No4 Lee Enfields re-barreled to 7.62Nato are a real prize as long as you don't hot-rod them with high-opressure loads. There are a large number of Ishapore/Indian-made rifles made on the older Mk1 design currently on the market. These are less of a find but good practical rifles too.

[Freightman]

India made 200,000 + and called it a 2A1 from '65-8?, no one is sure when they stooped production. I use one for my deer rifle as it has a scope on it, 168g JSP at 2500fps works great and very accurate.

[Hip's Ax]

I've got one I bought several years ago. All original and matching and in amazing condition for one of these. Head space was HUGE!!! Had to pay a gunsmith to shim out the bolt head so I could fire her. She's fine and dandy now but man, if I had not checked that head space.