Well its been 19 months since this thread started and we have finally got the MLE up and running. And run into yet another problem.
Anyway on Wednesday Eoin and myself descended upon 2 valves abode. Eoin had some loaded 7.7 x 54 and a wealth of knowledge and 2valve had the rifle and the space to test it. Me ? I just had the itch to fire the beast
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After setting up the "range" we got down to business. The first shot was good - nothing fell off or exploded, extraction was slightly sticky but possible without assistance. However when Eoin checked the fired case he found (drum roll please) the shoulder had been blown forward. A quick check against a .303 round and the BLOODY THING IS STILL A .303
Fortunately Eoin came prepared with some milsurp and we managed to get off 4 shots before the cattle invaded the range - a local hazard you don't find on many ranges.
Now I know it was only 50 yds and off the bench but considering the sights are canted 10 degrees left and the front sight blade is missing I don't reckon the old girl did too shabbily. All four were on target, 2 in the black and the other 2 just outside. We also had a few misfires but this may have been the ammo.
After Eoin left 2valve and I checked out the area behind the target. This is a star picket that was directly behind the target. Just goes to show what the old milsurp ammo is capable of. Wouldn't like to be on the receiving end
Now if I've done things right the link below will be a video we put together to mark the occasion
And what was the issue ? Well it looks like the reason it wouldn't chamber a .303 round but would chamber a 7.7 x 54 was the distal end of the chamber is in poor condition. Below is one of the extracted shells.
