308 A2 enfield

Spacedone · Member Joined: Nov 04, 2005 Posts: 266 Location: missouri

aimsurplus.com has 308 ishapore indian made 1960s enfields for sale for $169 dollars.

they say they have alot of them and that they are in NRA very good condition.

if you have never had/shot a enfield they are addictive and as a rule very good shooters/hunting rifles.

PaulS · Posted: Thu Aug 10, 2006 8:18 pm Post subject: Re: 308 A2 enfield

Aren't these rifles rechambered from 303 - with the original barrels at .311? I know the Argentinian Mausers were done that way.

Dimitri · Super Member Joined: Nov 25, 2005 Posts: 5946

PaulS,

The Enfields sold as 308's were ether properly converted or new manufature Smile

The Ishapor 2A's are new manufature design and built for the 7.62NATO. Smile

And I know the DCRA 308's are proper conversions done by good gunsmiths and so are most other conversions because you need to do alot of work on a Enfield action not only to rechamber it but to adapt it from a rimmed round to a rimless round Smile

Dimitri

Gil Martin · Posted: Fri Aug 11, 2006 3:39 pm Post subject: Re: 308 A2 Enfield

I have one of these rifles and gave another one to my brother. They were made in the 1960s when India was having border clashes with Chine and needed rifles in 7.62 NATO. They were used until FN production was adequate to arm Indian troops.

A word of caution, these rifles will handle 7.62 NATO ammo just fine. These Enfields should not be used with hot .308 Winchester loads due to the pressures involved. The Enfield is fine within its limitations. Here is a link that may be helpful. All the best...
Gil

www.thegunzone.com/30cal.html

Spacedone · Member Joined: Nov 04, 2005 Posts: 266 Location: missouri

i dont have one yet in 308 but owning several enfields in 303 and reading up on these they are a good way to aquire a cheap 308

PaulS · Posted: Fri Aug 11, 2006 9:15 pm Post subject: Re: 308 A2 enfield

So, am I correct in thinking it would not be wise to buy one of these to use factory ammo in to hunt with?
That being the case, Where does one get load data for NATO 7,62 reloads?

Dimitri · Super Member Joined: Nov 25, 2005 Posts: 5946

PaulS,

From what I've read the Remington Managed Recoil Rounds produce almost as fast velocites with its light bullet like 7.62mm NATO surplus with less pressure. Smile

www.surplusrifle.com/s.../index.asp

Also with GOOD US Lake City Surplus being as cheap as it is in the US you could just by surplus from like www.ammoman.com/index.htm .... they list 500 rounds for 200$ which shipping Smile

Dimitri

PaulS · Posted: Fri Aug 11, 2006 9:39 pm Post subject: Re: 308 A2 enfield

OK, but we can't hunt with NATO FMJ ammo - we need expanding bullets.
Is there a load for a 150 grain bullet that will meet the low pressure standard of NATO?

Dimitri · Super Member Joined: Nov 25, 2005 Posts: 5946

Not too sure PaulS,

Other then using Millitary Brass (as its ment for the rifles chambers because its thicker) and working up a "reduced compared to commercial load" I dont think there is much on reloading 7.62mm NATO sorry. Sad

There are the Sporterization of the Enfield action being sold by Australian International Arms though that are ment for commercial 308WIN which might slove these problems Smile

Well thats assuming they sold them in the US, both distributers so far that was going to import them into the US canncelled in the end I wonder why. wtf

Their Canadian homepage is this: www.aiarms.ca

Dimitri

Spacedone · Member Joined: Nov 04, 2005 Posts: 266 Location: missouri

went to my gunshop yesturday and spoke to its owner about 308 winchester ammo since im newish to reloading and havent load for 308 yet.

according to his bullet manufaturers loading data.

308 win commercial ammo puts out pressures between 45,000 and 55,000 cup pressures.

well withing the toleraqnces of a good condition A2.

the old number 1 mk III 303 enfield has a 50,000 cup rating and the A@ has as good or better cup rating.

so commercial ammo should be safe to shoot in the A2. for reloading if you start at a min load and work up like you do any new load you should be fine as long as you watch for high pressure signs.

guys

with a hand pick out of 5 and shipping and the rifle going for a whole 195.00 dollars and what im told is NRA very good this seems like a deal hard to pass up.

not that i reccommend sporting any milsurp personally this seems like a great gun to make a real accurate shooter in any configuration.