Jump to content
Military Firearm Restoration Corner

Enfield in 45-70


MauserILike

Recommended Posts

Was wondering if anyone has done this converstion and how it turned out if you have? This would make one heck of a combination. I beleave the round could be loaded to full strength and would make one hard hitting combo. I has seen some commerical rifles in this caliber from Gibbs. Not sure the if they are building brand new lee-enfield actions or they are using military actions.. but this seems like a possible converstion that would make for a good rifle. MIL

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Well, I was hoping someone with more info and/or experience would respond but since they haven't so far I'll throw in my limited knowledge on this subject.

 

First off, YES Navy Arms or Gibbs Rifle Co. - as this division is called - is making these from mil-surps. While the action is strong and well made it is certainly capable of 45-70 performance exceeding "Trapdoor ballistics" by a considerable margin. I read an article on them about a year ago that gave a good report. SMLE's are still available at reasonable prices but take a lot more work to make a sleek-looking sporter than say a Mauser. I've toyed with the idea myself but really hope to get a usable P-14 or 1917 donor to build a true big-bore sporting rifle someday. Now there's a platform for a reliable dangerous game cartridge!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Shot one of the Gibbs's 45-70's. Kicked like a mother, but that could have been my buddie's handloads. I will admit it was pretty dang accurate. He also had an Enfield converted to 12-ga bolt shotgun, but we had left his shells behind so I didn't get a chance to shoot that one.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 3 weeks later...
Well, I was hoping someone with more info and/or experience would respond but since they haven't so far I'll throw in my limited knowledge on this subject.

 

First off, YES Navy Arms or Gibbs Rifle Co. - as this division is called - is making these from mil-surps.  While the action is strong and well made it is certainly capable of 45-70 performance exceeding "Trapdoor ballistics" by a considerable margin.  I read an article on them about a year ago that gave a good report.  SMLE's are still available at reasonable prices but take a lot more work to make a sleek-looking sporter than say a Mauser.  I've toyed with the idea myself but really hope to get a usable P-14 or 1917 donor to build a true big-bore sporting rifle someday.  Now there's a platform for a reliable dangerous game cartridge!

8447[/snapback]

 

I once fell heir to a Pat14 that had been converted to .458 win! It was supprisingly accurate ! The thing was Pressure wise I never really wanted to test the friendship unsure.gif I was Shooting Water Buffalo for the pet meat industryat the time & had no problems moving it on to another PH I'm still kicking myself after nearly 25 yrs

 

Dave

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...
×
×
  • Create New...