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Odd chambering failure with SMLE.
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britrifles View Drop Down
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Points: 8404 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote britrifles Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April 09 2025 at 10:43am
"Metallurgy alone would suggest a coated cleaning rod is going to have a hard time causing any bore wear, no matter how enthusiastically used, unless embedded with abrasive materials,"

Yes, that is exactly the mechanism that wears the lands.  The hard carbon in the barrel when loosened with powder solvent gets deposited on the surface of the cleaning rod.  This is explained in several books I have on competitive target shooting; James Sweet, Robin Fulton, EGB Reynolds and others.  I can't say I've seen it myself as I always wipe the cleaning rod after every time it is put down the bore.  Using a non-coated rod is of course worse.  
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Sapper740 View Drop Down
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Originally posted by britrifles britrifles wrote:

I can't say I've seen it myself as I always wipe the cleaning rod after every time it is put down the bore.

^^This^^
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Points: 20510 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Shamu Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April 12 2025 at 5:25pm
We all got together with Doco Overboard today at the range.
As "Enspecteur Clouseau of ze Surete Nacional" would say "End ze problem is so-ved"!
I'll let him tell the tale, as he discovered the actual problem & we got it sorted.
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Don't shoot till you see the whites of their thighs. (Unofficial motto of the Royal Air Force)
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Points: 1 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Walkerja4 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April 12 2025 at 8:51pm
I am owner of the SMLE which is the subject of this post and I want to publicly thank Shamu and Doco Overboard for the time and tutelage spent with me in person, via e-mail and over the phone.  These two are a treasure trove of SMLE information, experience and hands on skills. I now have a great fondness and appreciation for this venerable British military rifle thanks to my two “downstate SMLE buddies”.  Shamu taught me how the gun works, how to disassemble and assemble, clean and lubricate the rifle and clean and nourish the walnut pieces.  Doco explained chamber reaming and ammunition types and demonstrated some great sleuthing and resourcefulness in identifying and solving the problem.  What a fun day.  And kudos to their wives who patiently accompanied them on this worthy mission of historical importance.  I now have a fine and functional example of a SMLE No. 1, Mark III.  Hug
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Points: 279 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Doco Overboard Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April 13 2025 at 6:14am
Great time at the club house checking this old rifle out. Very nice example none the less.
Anyway.
Somehow,  and who knows where.....a keen strike on the extractor claw ramp at the breech face, created a semi circular shaped divot to where it would ever so slightly interface on the head of the case upon inserting a cartridge case.
It was like a Kung-foo grip once created!
We found it after closely inspecting with a chamber/bore viewing tool and were able to touch it up with very little effort and were on the line in short order.
I suspect the cause was something getting in front of the bolt and having it closed smartly or possibly by  attempted removal of a broken she!! head or something decades ago.
I think this is a case where a former owner encountered a problem, stopped and just never revisited the issue or returned the rifle to service. Which in turn is what probably preserved it after I thought about it afterwards.
It was good to see the rifle shooting again was even better to witness the owner have a chance to operate his rifle -smiles all around and what's its all about in the grand scheme of things as they say.
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Bear43 View Drop Down
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Points: 3500 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Bear43 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April 13 2025 at 6:42am
That is great to hear! What an obscure issue, though. Definitely not something one would expect to see.
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Zed View Drop Down
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Sometimes it's the smallest details that make the difference! 
Pleased to hear that you fixed it.
It's nice to be important, but it's more important to be nice!
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Points: 20510 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Shamu Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April 13 2025 at 11:25am
Welcome back on the forum!
I'm guessing an over enthusiastic strike or several on that edge of the extractor cut with the old, steel cleaning rods & no bore guide maybe?
We'll never know for sure but its nice to see the partnership of shooter & "shootin' iron"
come to life.Tongue
Don't shoot till you see the whites of their thighs. (Unofficial motto of the Royal Air Force)
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Shamu View Drop Down
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Points: 20510 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Shamu Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April 13 2025 at 3:06pm
I just got the ".303 amigos" pic today & am posting it here. Walker, the owner's on the left as viewed with a big grin despite having his shoulder tenderized a little. Doc is in the middle & I'm the hairy gnome off to the left. (go for it Hoadie)Big smile

The object of our attentions is front & center
Don't shoot till you see the whites of their thighs. (Unofficial motto of the Royal Air Force)
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britrifles View Drop Down
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Points: 8404 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote britrifles Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April 13 2025 at 3:10pm
So, no residual cerrosafe in the chamber as initially thought? The back edge of the chamber at the breech was dinged casing a restriction to fully chamber the round?
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Shamu View Drop Down
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Points: 20510 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Shamu Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April 13 2025 at 3:17pm
Yes, exactly. It was kind of hidden by the curve at the transition to the extractor cut in that area too. Stern Smile
Don't shoot till you see the whites of their thighs. (Unofficial motto of the Royal Air Force)
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Shamu View Drop Down
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Just a follow up.
You can use the Action Proving Dummies I made to check progress in final polishing of the area.
Wink
Being resized they are real close to the fired dimensions in that web area.
just drop one in & it should sit flush, just like an unfired case.
Close the bolt fully on it, engaging the extractor claw, then whip the bolt open smartly, that should be enough to extract & eject the case fairly effortlessly.
Don't shoot till you see the whites of their thighs. (Unofficial motto of the Royal Air Force)
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Sapper740 View Drop Down
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Points: 1737 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Sapper740 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April 14 2025 at 1:18pm
Well done gents!  What a wonderful community we share.
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Shamu View Drop Down
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Points: 20510 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Shamu Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April 14 2025 at 6:10pm
Awww, gee shucks.Approve
Don't shoot till you see the whites of their thighs. (Unofficial motto of the Royal Air Force)
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