Bolt for .303

[Bob A]

Anyone know if it's possible to get a bolt for a .303. The markings on the rifle are E 7123
BSA Co 1917
SLE III
18.5 tons
I realize it's not worth much, more about nostalgia. I got it when I was 12 or 13, for about 20$ out of a catalog. Thanks
Bob

[bat119]

Try Marstar

[mgvande]

Numrich

[Grizzly Adams]

Numrich

That's stripped. Figure in the cost of the rest of the parts and you can buy a "sporterised" rifle.

Grizz

[fps plus]

P-17 is 30-06
P-14 is 303.
They are not the same bolt face or extractor

[fps plus]

Make sure it's a sml Short magazine lee enfield

[CMichaud]

Throw an add up on the EE or hit cgn.

They are easy to come by.

You should probably check your headspace once you get your new bolt

[bat119]

try here if its a SMLE lee enfield

https://www.corwin-arms.com/product/lee-enfield-smle-mk-iii%C2%A0%C2%A0complete-bolt

[260 Rem]

Several years ago I was looking and found that Milarm had some... maybe they still do? If you find one, make sure you check headspace before firing.

[honda450]

P-17 is 30-06
P-14 is 303.
They are not the same bolt face or extractor

There is no such thing as a P-17. Its a Model of 1917. Proper term.

[fps plus]

Pattern model 1917
Most commonly referred to P-17

[Grizzly Adams]

Read the original post. It's a BSA Mk lll. MANUFACTURED in 1917. :D

Grizz

[honda450]

pattern model 1917
most commonly referred to p-17

nope.

[fps plus]

Read the original post. It's a BSA Mk lll. MANUFACTURED in 1917. :D

Grizz

Yup your right.
Need to put on reading glasses when using phone

[fps plus]

Clarification
There are the various series of SMLE. Short Magazine lee enfield These are the ones with the detachable magazines

There are also the designed Pattern model1914 commonly called P-14 in 303 Brit There is also the Pattern model 1917commomly referred to as P-17 in 30-06 . If I remember correctly the P-17 and P-14 were American design . They do not have detachable magazine

[fps plus]

Pattern 14 enfield British
Pattern 17 enfield. American

[fps plus]

When buying a bolt for a SMLE you can buy different size bolt heads ,these are various sizes so as to be able to correct headspace . Brits were pretty smart

[catnthehat]

Pattern14 and M1917
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M1917_Enfield
Cat

[hogie]

P14 is a British rifle based off of the P13. P13 chambered in .276 round that was supposed to replace the .303. Wanted to replace the SMLE with P13. WW1 broke out made the P14 in .303. Could not get production in place for P14 so it was contracted to USA manufacturers.

British kept using the SMLE and never really adopted the P14 on a large scale. USA entered the war and had a shortage of rifles. They converted P14 to M1917 in 3006.

Bolt heads on no4 mk1 variants have different marked bolt heads for headspace. SMLE heads not marked same way.

Bolt are different between SMLE and later no4 mk1 series so if you find one make sure it's for a SMLE no1 mk3.

Maybe try Bashaw sports out. Never know whats in some stores. I found a Ross bolt complete a while ago in a local store.

[DaveDave]

I will talk to my buddy and let you know
Cheers

[Bob A]

Thanks for the replys. I will have to do some research I suppose. I know how to pull the trigger but I believe I'm in over my head as far as the mechanics of bolt design. More to it than just getting a bolt from the same gun. If I can find one I should take it to a gunsmith to make sure it's safe. For me and anyone around me. Thanks
Bob

[mgvande]

That's stripped. Figure in the cost of the rest of the parts and you can buy a "sporterised" rifle.

Grizz

I know. Expensive eh. But he wants parts. I showed him the way. As to everyone else regarding p14 or p17 research, or at least know what is going on before the thread gets filled with nonsense.

To the op. I think I have a firing pin if you are gonna go through with it. But for the cost I would just order everything at once. It is simple but you could have a headspace problem when done. I tape my case heads on the first shot and my brass lasts and it negates the headspace issue for each individual gun.

[CMichaud]

CGN EE Milsurp parts has one listed. Don't know if this is a good or bad deal and no relation to the seller (VZ-fan)

No.3 Bolt, complete. Selling for $85 Shipped.

BTW Bob - where are you located?

[Bob A]

Airdrie Ab.
Thanks I will have a look. I also wonder if it would be returnable if not the proper bolt. Maybe not to a private seller but a retail/wholesale store.Have to find out.
Thanks again
Bob

[Dean2]

Airdrie Ab.
Thanks I will have a look. I also wonder if it would be returnable if not the proper bolt. Maybe not to a private seller but a retail/wholesale store.Have to find out.
Thanks again
Bob

You don't need to send it back. To see if it has the right bolt head you need an unfired new 303 round for a go gauge and a no-go 303 gauge, or put enough tape on a unfired 303 to build up the case head to .069. Measure the thickness of the Rim, add tape till you to a rim thickness of .069. So say the rim is .055, add .014 of tape so total COAL .014 longer than the shell alone) Bolt should not close or if it does it should remove and markup the tape if it has the right headspace. The absolute max, or field gauge limit is .020, so if bolt closes with no marking on .014, build up case head to .019. Over .020 head space you need a new bolt head. Min rim spec on a 303 is .054 and being a rimmed cartridge this is what the gun head spaces off of. Maximum Field Gauge is .074 (Field Gauge is the absolute outside limit of headspace in a gun firing new brass with proper factory loads).
If it has too much headspace but is between .014 and .019 you have a couple of choices. Easiest is to buy the correct bolt head, re-sell the one it came with. (The bolt heads are marked 0, 1, 2. Each bolt head is progressively .oo3 longer, thereby reducing the headspace. Lots of demand for them. Other is to shoot new factory ammo only. New brass will take the extra headspace no problem. If you reload, third choice is to neck size your brass for loading. This way the cartridges will headspace on the shoulder and the rim measurement will become irrelevant.

Gauge
CDN Military

GO
.064

NO GO
.070

FIELD
.074


Hope this helps.