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Lee-Enfield Sporting Rifle in 7.7 x 54mm+ another+pics
Posted: Wed Jul 13, 2005 8:36 pm
by Aughnanure
Lee-Enfield Sporting rifle in 7.7 x 54mm, made by the late Jack Pollard who was one of Australias premier gunsmiths. This was one of his plainer grade and is simply an SMLE .303 with the chamber shortened by some 2mm to comply with the law of the day which forbad military calibres. Hence the emergence of many wildcats on the .303 (most of them more powerful than the original
My rifle is in near perfect condition and cost the princely sum of $A75.
I have another waiting for the paper work to come through, at the same price, but the barrel has been neglected however the action is in new condition.
It took some tries to get the pictures posted, now all I have to do is remember to get them in a logical order.
Eoin.
Posted: Thu Jul 14, 2005 1:03 pm
by dromia
Very nice Eoin, thats my type or rifle simply and elegantly executed. No pretension an honest piece of gumsmithing.
Thanks for the article it came yesterday and is most informative, I've put the gunruners on the case for at least one in each calibre.
Posted: Thu Jul 14, 2005 1:04 pm
by dromia
BTW congratulations on your picture persistance, no excuses now.
Posted: Fri Jul 15, 2005 4:00 am
by Aughnanure
Adam, Glad the snail mail did the job. Good luck with your collection!!!
Here's a photo of some 7.7 x 54mm ammo etc.
Posted: Tue Jul 19, 2005 6:52 am
by Aughnanure
Did a bit of target practice with the 7.7mm
170gr HPBT 35.3grs ADI 2208 goes off with a good bang. No chrono.
3" groups at 50yds with my eyes and the open sights. Put on the PH5 aperture sight and reduced the groups to under 2".
Sunny day and no wind. Quite good enough for hunting.
I haven't touched the bedding yet or even pulled the rifle down, all that I've done is to make sure the screws are tight.
Eoin.
Posted: Wed Jul 20, 2005 12:22 am
by heatseeker
Great bit of Aussie shooting history. What action is it based on? (manufacturer/date).
Posted: Wed Jul 20, 2005 6:52 am
by Aughnanure
The action and barrel are Lithgow. The body is early but unfortunately the date has been polished off. No prefix to the serial number which is in the 30,000 range. The barrel is later, though not by much, the date is polished off but the s/n is 'c' prefix in the 6,000s
Heres a shot of a couple of targets (50 yds). Quite good enough for hunting.
Eoin.
Posted: Sat Jul 23, 2005 10:09 pm
by sunray
That's very similar to the .303 Epps. Same idea. Change the shoulder angle. Perks up the .303 considerably. Mind you, Elwood just reamed the chamber and fire formed the cases.
Go here, then click on '.303 Epps Reloading Recipes' then on 'Notes on Improved Cartridges'.
http://www.303british.com/
Posted: Sat Jul 23, 2005 11:24 pm
by Aughnanure
Sunray,
Not quite the same idea, Epps' round is an improved .303 whereas the 7.7x54 is merely the .303 shortened by 2mm for legal reasons that existed at the time ( 60 years ago) and was confined to some Australian states. The shoulder and case taper remain the same. It was possible with generous chambers to simply machine 2mm off the back of the barrel and refit without having to use a reamer.
I move the shoulder back on new brass with the chamber of a No4 barrel and a hammer.
Eoin.
Posted: Fri Jul 29, 2005 1:26 am
by Ned
Eoin
Now I can see the subject we where talking about on the phone the other day. That is a very nice piece of workmanship. Very clean lines!!! You will just have to find me one now!!!
i would like something in the 22 wildcat range. I reckon you could get one of those fairly crankin !!!
Cheers
NED