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enfield conversion
fastcarsgofast
Member Posts: 7,179
I really want to get one of the mark 5 jungle carbines in .308. I don't have the funds right now and won't until I finish several other builds and projects so I don't know if I'll be able to find onbe when I'm done. I've noticed while lookin on the auction side that the Ishapore 2A's in .308 are plentiful and cheap and that the jungle carbines seem to be scarce and most of the time much higher in price. Would it be possible to cut down the 2A and put it in jungle carbine stock? Would it be worth it or would I be better off just spending the extra loot on a true mark 5? Also could I convert a jungle carbine from .303 to .308? Originality of the rifle is not a big concern. I just really like the look of the jungle carbine and wanted a .308 for the range, coyotes, wild pigs, dear, or whatever else I thought needed to be shot with something bigger than a .223. I wanted the .308 because I've been told the .303 is a beast to shoot out of the carbine and the ammo is not as plentiful. If I would do better with the .303 that info would be apreciated also.
Comments
1. The .308 is of higher pressure. The rifles made in .308 (well, actually 7.62X51 NATO, loaded to identical dimensions but lower pressure than the high end civilian loads) were made of more modern steel to handle this pressure. Re-working a N0.5 carbine would mean you are subjecting the rifle to more pressure than it was designed for.
2. As such, the .308 should kick more, not less than the .303.
3. All of these guns suffer from a wandering zero.
4. Reworking the gun would be hard; the .303 is rimmed, the .308 is not; this would require modifying the extractor. The magazine is designed for rimmed rounds; it would also prove difficult, if not impossible to modify.
5. The .303 is readily available from Remington, Winchester, S&B, Hotshot, and a host of other manufacturers, though surplus is drying up.
If you want a .308 enfield, Navy Arms modified some of the 2A1s into "tanker carbines" or you could get a 2A1 and simply chop the barrel and wood down to size, though I discourage this in general as I'm a bit of a purist. I think some outfit in CA also makes or made a .308 on an enfield action.
2. As such, the .308 should kick more, not less than the .303.
3. All of these guns suffer from a wandering zero.
If you want a .308 enfield, Navy Arms modified some of the 2A1s into "tanker carbines" or you could get a 2A1 and simply chop the barrel and wood down to size, though I discourage this in general as I'm a bit of a purist. I think some outfit in CA also makes or made a .308 on an enfield action.
Please forgive my ignorance on this topic. I've never been big on British military rifles. So youre saying that the larger cartridge of the .303 is not as potent as the .308. Would it be still be good for use on something nasty like wild boar? Also I've read about the wandering zero problem. Is it a non issue with the .303 jungle carbines? And the last time I saw an add for one of those Navy Arms rifles they were a bit out of my price range. I was trying to stay at around $200. That's why I was trying to get a surplus rifle. If Navy Arms has come down on their prices do you have their contact info.
I have an old Navy Arms "Tanker" type 308 and an Ishapore L2. They Tanker is fun for casual shooting, I've fiddled around a bit with the Ishaposre, tightening up the barrel to wood fit, & it shoots well enough but the Enfields were never noted for superb accuracy.
The Tanker cost me $200.00, the Ishapore a little more but it is in better shape & all original.
I don't think I'd do a conversion - as mentioned it's not economical & the older Enfield is not as strong as the Ishapore.
You can cut down the L2 and Numrich ARms sells Mk 5 stocks for that purpose. I'd search for one of their Tanker models 1st though. WHy cut up a nice old standard military rifle.
Ben
I just got the flyer from AIM this week. Their featuring Ishapore, 2A's @ $169.95. Unfortunately if you aren't a C & R, you'll have to have your dealer order it. At that price I would get a couple. Keep one original, rework the other into a Jungle Carbine.
Thats a real good price and suggestion rufe-snow. I've been "out" of the Enfields for a while now and it does appear that the prices have changed a little. I sold a 2A1 for I think over $250 when I sold the No.5. Looks like the No.1's and No.4's have gone up slightly though.
Ben