OT: 303 Enfield to 10 round 7.62x39 AK mag conversions

Rusty

Rusty

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Interesting concept: convert a 303 Enfield No. 4 to fire 7.62x39 ( ala SKS and AK rifles ) by setting barrels back and rechambering to the shorter round. Then sleeve the mag well to accept single stack 10 round AK mags. Use ultra-cheap and readily available ammo. They want $275 for one done without touching the military stock, if you want the stock refinished and shortened the price goes up from there.

Too bad I just saw NIB Norinco SKS's for $235 and single stack Saiga AK's for under $175.

Still, it does have an appeal when 303 ammo costs $10.oo for 20 rounds and AK ammo costs around $100.oo for about a thousand rounds. And if you live back east where owning an evil assault rifle, even legally, gets you unwanted attention from the cops, a bolt action has it's merits.

Here's the link: you gotta scroll halfway down the page to get to the interesting part.

Enfield "K" conversions

( Hey, it's been a little slow on the forum lately! )
 
I'll be getting a Yugoslavian SKS this weekend, ammo's even cheaper than my Mosin Nagant.
 
Pretty neat but I think I would just as soon spend the money on the CZ.

$150 for the enfield, $300 to convert= $450, pretty close to the CZ and you'll have a new rifle.

My 2 cents.
 
I'm still kinda annoyed with people butchering/"Bubba-izing" Enfields like this. If you're going to convert one, at least do it up to .45/70.

For a cheaper version of this I have seen chamber inserts that slip in and out to convert .303 to 7.62x39.
 
The $275 does include their gun. You just get a discount of $75 off the $275 if you send in yours to be converted. That brings the cost down to $200.

To repeat myself, the only advantage would seem to me to be in areas where the cheaper semi-autos such as the Saiga and SKS are, if not banned, likely to draw unwarranted attention from the cops.

Still, that little Tanker carbine's cute, and would make a good truck rifle.
 
Due to the rear lockup of the bolt, the Enfield's are very tough on brass and it is difficult to get more than three reloads out of a case. But, if you are going to be shooting army-surplus ammo, probably steel cased and berdan primed, that is a non-issue. However, I don't think I want to tear up my 45/70 brass in one of those Gibbs guns though.
 
When reloading for enfields, neck sizing only. I've also heard of a number of folks starting with 30-40 brass, which is a bit thicker at the head. Ed Harris did a number of articles on the topic, suggesting that long chambers causing the neck to blow forward, then resizing the brass back to SAAMI dimensions as a likely culprit in the short case life. There's lots of info 303 reloading at 303british.com

Pat
 
I've been thinking of that myself. I think it would be a fine rifle to plink with. Light recoil and cheap ammo. Like .22 LR with a kick. That rifle is definately getting serious consideration nowadays. Since I have my one HI khuk, of course. ( No HIKV here) If I ever decide to fork over the dough, I'll let you know.

Brian
 
I was planning on building my Type 53 into a scout configuration, but ended up changing my mind(and of course lost money in the deal when I turned around and resold mount and scope).

Might look into it again sometime.
 
I have one based on a captured GEW 98. It was "adapted" before I got it, and I just saved it from more abuse.

I based mine on Finn Aagards article on scout rifles, and so far I really like it.

My scout page
 
45-70?

I made one from a '93 Mauser action Civil Guardia carbine, rechambered to .308. Hacked off the wood, shaped it to contour, heated and de-pinned the front sight, removed the range rear site, had drilled, tapped and put on a 1.2 Bushnell long eye-relief scope.

Uh, wrote it up and published in Fur, Fish, and Game some years ago.

But I live in a shotgun only area, and rarely take it out. Finding the scope was the hardest part. Oh, put on a recoil pad, as well; it's a short-stocked little gun.


:)
 
Adapted? Do you mean Bubba got to it? And you saved it from a humiliating existance, right? So, what all did you do? More importantly, how does she shoot? Is it still the 8mm S round? Or did you wildcat it.

I prefer mine in full military wood and iron sights. Unless it is a sniper rifle, of course. But I'll talk to ya about yours all day. :)

Brian
 
Far as bubba-izing, they use the No. 4 actions that have nearly all been rearsensaled ( the Brits call it FTR for Thorough Factory Repair ). Both of mine have gone through the process.

I plan on leaving mine in the original caliber, but haven't seen any ammo since buying them that didn't cost $15 for a box of twenty or Corrosive Berdan primed. Will go check cheaper than dirt now.
 
My P-scout Page

It had been drilled and tapped (for two different screws) someplace along the way. that is what I mean was "adapted". and from the wear marks on the rifle I'd say it was pretty well worn. My page gives the rest of the story. I'd love to wax about my rifle, but I don't want to all but steal the thread.




I have 4 or 5 other mausers just the way they were issued +/- 50 years existances. This one and a Columbian in 30-06 are the only ones that are modified.

I think the Columbian is going to end up as another P-scout before too much longer.
 
Looks good.

My current project, once I actually get one ;) (hopefuly tomorrow at the gun show), is to get a Saiga and convert it into a "standard" AK. or close anwyays. Converting to pistol grip, and full usage of any standard AK mag. Making my own laminated stock set for 3 of the required 5 US parts, and then buying an FSE trigger group for the other three. Probably be a bare minimum of 3 weeks to get it all done, as I don't have the money for the trigger group right now.

Hrmm, unless someone wants to buy this 12" AK. maybe I'll post pics and put it over in for sale forum. :) this might be fun.

But yeah, anbwyays, the Saiga's tend to be higher fit/finish level than the SARs, and noticably cheaper. Even with the parts I will have to add, by making my own furniture, think I figured that I could have my Saiga converted for around 275, if not less. And as I will be doing new furniture, this will be freshly sanded, stained and oiled(or at lesat two of three, might not stain), and I wil be refinishing the metal with a fresh coat of black header paint or Brownell's bake on teflon(have to see if teflon will stick to JB weld), in addition to being better quality than an SAR, and cheaper, it will also look better. :)

Oh yeah, will do a trigger job too while I'm working on it.
 
Rusty,
You may be able to find some non corrosive berdan stuff around. I got some south african stuff a while back, and it's pretty nice. It was fairly cheap as I recall. Maybe $6 per 50? Went fairly fast though. You can always shoot corrosive, it's not that hard to clean up afterwards. Dennis Kroh at Empire Arms has a quick how-to article for easy cleanup.

Century has some PMP (south African) brass case boxer that I think is fairly inexpensive. The S&B stuff is also well under $10/box/20.

'Course, the real solution is to reload :)

Pat
 
45-70- Impressive. Recoil looks like fun, too. :D

ETP777- .308 or 7.62x39 Saiga? If you're going for x39 you might want to think about a MAK90. Chinese post ban with the smoothest stock trigger around. And you won't have to move the whole trigger foward to fit the PG.
But if you really want a Saiga, find a dealer to ship to and order here. CDNN Investments, Inc. - 1-800-588-9500. 229.00 a pop for .308 and x39's 179.00 ea.

Brian
 
Pretty neat, Rusty.

Might consider it, if I weren't planning on getting a CZ at some point.
 
x39, and going with the saiga because I like way they look better, and can do it all noticably cheaper than any MAK.

But they were overpriced at this show. Yeah, planning on ordering one from CDNN, 16" 7.62. WIll look pretty in laminate.
 
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