"Ask the Rabbi" by R. Mermelstein



QUESTION: Dear Rabbi Mermelstein:

What about the 45-70 in a Lee Enfield Mark2?

Say in a sixteen inch barrel with the same magazine, front and rear sights and full wood. What pressures and velocities might one expect. The bolt face is large enough and the case lengths are compatible. Should the new barrel be chanbered to handle to longer projectiles in the 45-70 range or just the lighter ones?

Edwin T. Lee
Fort Worth, Texas
07 Aug 1999


ANSWER: Dear Mr. Lee,

I'm not a gunsmith, but it doesn't seem possible to simply rebarrel to 45-70. There would be problems with the dimensions of the Lee-Enfield magazine and follower, as well as the extractor. The Lee-Enfield action could certainly handle the pressures of factory 45-70 ammunition, which is held to 25,000 cup. Velocities would be comparable to any 45-70 production rifle. Any velocity gain from the longer barrel of the Enfield would be insignificant. If this conversion is possible at all, the heaviest bullet usable would be the 405 gr. SP. The 500 gr. FMJ or SP would likely cause the overall cartridge length to exceed the length of the Enfield action. Contact of very knowledgeable gunsmith for more accurate information.

Sincerely,

R. Mermelstein

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