I have a mk4 lee enfield(made in canada) that will not chamber a round. I've had the gun for 10 years , fired hundreds of surplus and my own reloads without a problem. Last week went to mitchell, loaded 5 rnds and the ctrg will only go in the chamber about a third of the way and them gets stuck. I thought I had a buulet lodged in the barrel, but that was false. went out and bought factory ammo, same thing. I don't see anything wrong when I look at the barrel(bulges, etc) any ideas or local smiths to have a look.
I have a mk4 lee enfield(made in canada) that will not chamber a round. I've had the gun for 10 years , fired hundreds of surplus and my own reloads without a problem. Last week went to mitchell, loaded 5 rnds and the ctrg will only go in the chamber about a third of the way and them gets stuck. I thought I had a buulet lodged in the barrel, but that was false. went out and bought factory ammo, same thing. I don't see anything wrong when I look at the barrel(bulges, etc) any ideas or local smiths to have a look.
thanks
I would suggest that you have a competent gunsmith look at it. There are several, to whom I can apply a personal recommendation: Benson's Gun Shop, Coram, Camp-site Sport Shop, Huntington and Country Gunsmith, Bohemia. All are in the phone book and feel free to use my name, with any of them, as a source. Gary
Sounds like you may have had a case head separation and the front part of a case is still in the chamber.
Quite common for people to eject the back half and not notice it wasn't a full shell. Pull the bolt and use a bright flashlight to try and see if this is the case.
Part time recluse. Active misanthrope. Future hermit.
While you have the bolt removed for the above, make sure that the bolt head is screwed all the way down on the bolt body. They thread on. If you took it out to clean it and the bolt made a couple of turns, then it may still go into the receiver but not chamber a cartridge.
cas, good call. Sure enough there is a bright brass ring around the barrel throat. I cleaned the barrel with a brush. It looks like its stuck in there pretty good. Do I need a special tool or do I have to see a smith.
cas, good call. Sure enough there is a bright brass ring around the barrel throat. I cleaned the barrel with a brush. It looks like its stuck in there pretty good. Do I need a special tool or do I have to see a smith.
Thanks Again
MMMm... sometimes? They do make special tools for it, but usually you don't need them.
Sometimes if you run a cleaning rod down the bore with a really tight patch you can push them out. It may take a number of tries.
Another method is to put a bare rod down the barrel towards the chamber. Then add an oversized brush. Pull that forward into the chamber as far forward as it will go, then push it back again. Also try wrapping the brush with patches if it doesn't work.
Some people suggest putting the action in the freezer for a while.
I've heard of people using taps and easy-outs to free them... which kind of scares me.
Also heard of people making expanding plugs from various items, stoppers, dry wall piugs....
Worst case scenario you need some cerrosafe to make a chamber cast and knock it out that way. I've cleared a number of them with just the cleaning rod method, though some times it takes a while and some effort. I've only had to do the chamber cast method once.
Part time recluse. Active misanthrope. Future hermit.
I'm poured some oil dowm the barrel hopefully it will lossen up the broken shell, before that I went in there with a .45 brush, no go. Its stuck pretty good. I 'm make a few more attempts with an oversize brush. If I can't get it out on Monday I'll order a broken shell extractor from midway. They are cheap, come in 303 and I need a few other things anyway. I'll keep you guys posted.
Thanks for all the help. great local site 'im glad I found.
A .30-06 extractor probably wouldn't work, the Enfield's .303 is a rimmed round so I don't think the bolt would like it too much. I have a 7.62x54R broken shell extractor if you'd like to try it, the 7.62x54R and 7.7x56R are very close in size.
Thanks for the offer, but I'm going to get a couple of shell extractors for some of my other rifles as well. plus they carry one for the 303 specifically.
A .30-06 extractor probably wouldn't work, the Enfield's .303 is a rimmed round so I don't think the bolt would like it too much. I have a 7.62x54R broken shell extractor if you'd like to try it, the 7.62x54R and 7.7x56R are very close in size.
The 30-06 will work but you cannot use the bolt. The extractor on the bolt may get enough bite but the 30-06 broken shell extractor is too long. Instead, you use a screwdriver in the rim and tap it slightly. if lined up right, you can also pry the screwdriver against the edge of the receiver for a little leverage.
Anyway, doesn't matter as the OP is ordering the correct one from Midway. While looking for a 303 neck sizer die, I saw a few broken shell extractors on GunBroker.
The 30-06 will work but you cannot use the bolt. The extractor on the bolt may get enough bite but the 30-06 broken shell extractor is too long. Instead, you use a screwdriver in the rim and tap it slightly. if lined up right, you can also pry the screwdriver against the edge of the receiver for a little leverage.
Anyway, doesn't matter as the OP is ordering the correct one from Midway. While looking for a 303 neck sizer die, I saw a few broken shell extractors on GunBroker.
Ok, I gotcha. Although personally I've never been a fan of sticking or prying with things that could scratch or gouge the inside of the receiver if you screw up
Ok, I gotcha. Although personally I've never been a fan of sticking or prying with things that could scratch or gouge the inside of the receiver if you screw up
Oh absolutely. I have 5 Rifles in 303. Why I do not own a proper broken shell extractor is a good question. Its not like they are expensive or anything.
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They do make special tools for it, but usually you don't need them. 
