Thread: 303 bullets tumbling

It's probably a no 4 marked us property and yes the magazines don't interchange

Originally Posted by Coop

I'm pretty lazy and shoot CAC ammo through my Enfields and don't always use boiling water afterwards. Have had one of them for years and no noticeable difference in barrel or how it shoots. Sweets sorts them out pretty well if I forget for a few weeks.

Spoke to a contact this week about all of this and turns out he has a few Enfields, tells me all he does after shooting CAC is pour a good amount of hot water down the barrel and oil afterwards. I suspect that the oil protects the barrel from corrosion somewhat anyway.
Either way, he has got mint guns with pristine barrels and has had no issues with corrosion.

He also put me in touch with a chap who has a whole collection of the things and nearly has one from every year they were produced! Looks like I will be able to source a barrel for this gun too, which will keep this shooting for a bit.

Originally Posted by Marty Henry

It's probably a no 4 marked us property and yes the magazines don't interchange

Yes I think thats what it was.
I think I will keep a look out for an Enfield no1 mk3 if i get a fully wooded rifle.

Originally Posted by Old_School

Spoke to a contact this week about all of this and turns out he has a few Enfields, tells me all he does after shooting CAC is pour a good amount of hot water down the barrel and oil afterwards. I suspect that the oil protects the barrel from corrosion somewhat anyway.
Either way, he has got mint guns with pristine barrels and has had no issues with corrosion.

He also put me in touch with a chap who has a whole collection of the things and nearly has one from every year they were produced! Looks like I will be able to source a barrel for this gun too, which will keep this shooting for a bit.




Yes I think thats what it was.
I think I will keep a look out for an Enfield no1 mk3 if i get a fully wooded rifle.

Greetings again,
From what I have read the hot or boiling water is essential as the corrosion will continue in spite of being oiled. The boiling water is needed the same day as the rifle is fired. After the move from black powder to smokeless the problems with corrosion started. Originally this was blamed on the smokeless powder but investigation showed it was the chlorate primers. The black powder fouling did protect the barrels and was cleaned out much more frequently. The cordite propellant is also quite erosive and this is part of the reason for the long and loose throats on most Lee Enfields.
Regards Grandpamac.