lee speed copy

hey everyone. I'm slowly accumulating bits for a lee-speed type 303. Setting up for 215 grainers close bush stuff
Know of a very affordable rifle vintage 1906ish I think. before the charger bridge.
Needs a trigger guard/mag assembly (don't ask but really bubba'd), but I have one of those. Was out at Gunworks and found a cheap barrelled action that had of all things a bsa cape type express sight. Fixed front sight for 100, two folding leaves for 2-300 and a flip up ladder/elevator for way out. $25 bucks wheeeee.
real happy with that. have to get an honest opinion on what barrel is best but I think the whole rifle's barrel is a little better.
Thinking about a dust guard-any of these around?
also have a spare bolt with the safety on the striker. Been reading they are a bitch to make fit properly? there is no side safety on any of my bits or the rifle so would be nice to have something.
Plus need a mag. Would like to do a shortened fishbelly type but need one to start with.
Some of these bits would probably be better getting in one go from a complete scrap rifle maybe?
Thoughts everyone?
pics to come

The Lee Enfield actions pre- the charger bridge with the old thumb lever safety looks pretty, a bit steampunk, nice lines. Good luck with the project. I recall @Carlsen Highway posted some pics of an old lee speed from his safe in an old exchange.

If you want to shoot 215 grainers get some cast boolits from @shooternz, they may go fine even in a worn barrel.

@Tertle

here is a pic of the sights for the project.
Just for shitz and giggles did the old school trick of trying a round in the muzzle to check for wear. not good.
at best may need some chopped off and it definitely needs a new front sight but suspect its pood.
Still to try the rifle in question but the rifling did look ok from memory. Pics to come form that later
Tried my P14 model E barrel and it comparatively has way more. It still shot like crap the other day.
Got some other projectiles to try for that but still have to get some powder, but that's another thing.

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@csmiffy don't trust the bullet down the bore trick, how it shoots in practice trumps that test, definitely with flat based spitzers, but don't give up on it till you tried lead boolits.

Counterboring a couple inches is better than chopping, gives you a well protected crown and you retain your sight radius.

Here is the link to @Carlsen Highway's Lee Speed:

https://www.nzhuntingandshooting.co....95/index4.html

And the images in that posting:

https://i.imgur.com/Z4aWqgk.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/hOnixcx.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/XyUy5jF.jpg?1

@Cordite yup that's a nice one and a proper one too. Mine will always be a clone and I doubt I will ever get stocks for it as nice as that.
Never had the holes in the side for the safety nor volley sights so never military. It has the same bolt head as the project rifle.
The one with the sights I like are on the donor action so that barrel is only a get out of jail one. I have another I need to clean up that may be alright also if I have to go that way.
I am considering having a crack at a tang safety. I have a destroyed U/O action I could maybe burgle the tang off but it is bent from the destroying so have to think about that one.
Don't have access to the metal working stuff anymore

csmiffy,

Lee Speeds were made on both the Lee Metford and Enfield actions. They were produced in many variants of metal work and stock work. Some quite plain and others ornate, engraved and with fully ribbed barrels. Originally they all seem to have had light forends with long barrels for balance and for a decent sight radius I suspect. I had a H version Lithgow target barrel on mine. Balanced well. These would be about a 3 contour in modern profiles. I reckon you need a bit of steel here particularly if you want less than the std 26”? .303 length.

Something to think about anyway.

@Dicko yeah been reading up a bit on them lately. Much of the same stuff popped up when I was looking at smaller mags and express sights.
Id have to measure the barrel on the rifle itself but doubt its over 26".
I need to get myself a tig welder for some of the fiddly fabricating and welding. Cant see that happening anytime soon.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by csmiffy

@Dicko yeah been reading up a bit on them lately. Much of the same stuff popped up when I was looking at smaller mags and express sights.
Id have to measure the barrel on the rifle itself but doubt its over 26".
I need to get myself a tig welder for some of the fiddly fabricating and welding. Cant see that happening anytime soon.

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Lee Enfields are as modular as an AR15, just get an assorted pile of SMLE Lego bricks and start putting it together... As @Dicko rightly says, hardly anyone can see if it's original or not as the Speeds were so variable. (-: Only thing I'll stand by is they are prettier without the charger bridge though I'd never chop a bridge off, you just don't do that...

@Cordite I hear you although things like the tang safety and fish belly mag i'll have to make myself. The rest are just swapsies with maybe some drilling and tapping here and there.
Strangely enough I've seen on a forum where a guy cut a charger bridge off. Its only riveted on there so if its what you had to work with you only have to fill in a couple of holes. Done well you'd never see it.
Mine eventually will just be a useable honest distant cousin to a proper one.

I had a metford long Tom action original with the thumb safety. It had a early Enfield 10 shot mag. Originally probably was a flush 5 shorter though. In my opinion the 5 shot mags do not look right.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Dicko

I had a metford long Tom action original with the thumb safety. It had a early Enfield 10 shot mag. Originally probably was a flush 5 shorter though. In my opinion the 5 shot mags do not look right.

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Agree. Yet I hate to say the 10rd magazine is a pest when you shoot standing unsupported, lean back but then find you'd prefer to slide your supporting hand further back than the protruding mag allows.

not really a fan of the flush type magazine although it does smooth it out. that's why I think I like the fish belly shape.

@csmiffy do you have the woodwork?
I have a butt from a No 1 here, if you want it ?

@Frogfeatures Yup. The rifle itself is only missing the magazine.
Although I will admit the butt has been ahem...customized with some engraving/carving on the side. It certainly wont worry me if I ever get around to a tang safety and I have to inlet it.
How much do you want for it?

I can say I will be on the lookout for a nice more sportier type foresight if anybody has one from a shortened rifle maybe? Mind you it may depend on where the rear sights go and how much blade it needs etc

Quote:

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Originally Posted by csmiffy

@Frogfeatures Yup. The rifle itself is only missing the magazine.
Although I will admit the butt has been ahem...customized with some engraving/carving on the side. It certainly wont worry me if I ever get around to a tang safety and I have to inlet it.
How much do you want for it?

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Postage and it’s yours:thumbsup:

@Frogfeatures you're on.
Pmd you.

here are some happy snaps of the project-mainly barrel/action markings for id.
Some are really obvious, it was sold out of service, its an old 1896 LE no1, heavy barrel George Rex on a Victoria Regina action. But some of them don't come up. like the 7/HG.33.
Plus the guy I bought it off got it solely for the rear sight which is why it was missing. Thought the old other barrel I have, had that style so at least I could try the old girl out before I get the express sights fitted-no show.
Although I may just have a cunning plan for that to at least try it. May still need one but didn't really want to spend it on a sight when that could go to the fitting of the express one just in case the barrel is crap.
Bit of a bugger as I was going to have a crack with it maybe tomorrow. Barrel isn't mint but still looks pretty serviceable for an oldy.
I replaced the trigger guard/mag housing with one I had, the other one had the shit beaten out of it.
first bunch of shots had some blurry ones in there-though id deleted them and had another go but they are still there.
PITA sorry for the double ups

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SMIFFY -no mistakin those digits -toes like a dredge pond bullfrog. once ya gets beasty up and runnin 2x pkts CAC.303 150gn sittin here for ya!

@Tertle is meant to be the resident expert on these things yeah? @kotuku have to try the mag that came with the one you lent me. It's for a different model so it might fit this thing to at least have a play

anyone have a shufti on the markings?

It is an 1896 Enfield MLE Mk I that has been rebarrelled with a Lithgow barrel for the Mk VII cartridge, sometime prior to WW2 (1933?). The HV behind the rear sight bed shows that the sight ramp is for the Mk VII (high velocity) cartridge as opposed to the earlier 215 grain Mk VI load that the MLE was made for. The SC below it is for 'small cone' which is the leed at the front of the chamber cut specially for the pointed Mk VII. The marks with the stars around them are Lithgow inspectors marks during the production process. The Home Guard stamp is obvious. The arrows facing each other with SS means 'sold out of service' which was the official mark to show the rifle was not stolen.

Great project, I have been putting together Lee Speed (BSA Sporters) parts for over 15yrs & if I had found that sight I would of snapped it up, it is off the later lighter barreled, plain stocked BSA Sporters & you can see it is extra high to match the standard front sight .

I have Carlsen Highway's Speeder & in that pic you will note its express rear sight has gone with the barrel some time back .

@gundoc awesome. I picked up the home guard thing but the others had me scratching. With the short cone is it still possible to load the bigger bullets like 215grs if desired or will the be pushed back into the case?
Also with those express sights, if set up properly, what would they be regulated for? 174gr or a case of suck it and see? didn't want to do too much adjusting/filing if I can help it. To be honest as long as it is close at 100 and 200 I'll be happy. Heavier barrel has 20ish thou more taper (fatter) then the donor barrel where the sight would go but I don't necessarily see that as a drama.
Just a bit of judicious hand fitting required. If its too high it will get a taller front sight to compensate.
@Scout you are right. it is marked ER bsa co 1903 LE 1 with a star, it would probably be quite a nice little action being a bit less military than the other one for a LS copy. plus it needs just about everything else (mag, bolt, wood) as I reckon the barrel is pretty naff. The front sight is a mangled mess. It also has the barrel band for the extra fore end screw but no screw or spring. If I did do it I'd get a bolt with a dust cover just for shitz and giggles.
I will say the front sight on the project rifle is pretty high but I would like a ramped front sight off a sporter fitted just to make it a little less military. Have to keep my eye out. the 270 project has one but someone has tried cutting the end of the old 7x57 back a little in an attempt to recrown in and taken a bit off the front of it so that's a bust.
On the express sight, what is the little screw on the top right of the flip up ladder for?
went to take it off and found that the hold down screw is a bit buggered and it is soldered on.

The little screw is stop the the lobbing/tangent slider sight from coming off the ladder, there is normally 3 screws, the little one, the screw in the tension spring & one into the barrel but that type is soldiered on also !

What level are you thinking of finishing this rifle to ?

If you aren't trying to do a full Lee Speed type, I have a matching fore sight & express rear of more modern manufacture ?

its never going to be a show stopper. Just a useable handy old 303 sporter done a little differently then most but in the style one was done back in the day as a sporter not just a military cut down.
it was just luck I found the old BSA express sight so it saved me buying a repro and would make it look like it hadn't been farted around with recently.
Yup that makes sense about the screw and it has all of them even if the main one is a bit poked
Interested to see what you have though-you never know
PM me some pics please?

Ok will do, you really need the heavier barrel to, either the MLE/Long Tom or Lithgow H profile !

Here is a nice one by a Aussie gunsmith .

http://i.imgur.com/9GaUHrkh.jpg

If that barrel shoots like crap I might have to look at another one. I do have one that might be better but just have to see how it all goes.
Its not a heavy barrel though. I will say the barrel on it now is bigger than the one the express sight is fitted to

I have a Nice old Barrel you can have if you do some reloading for my 416 Rem mag when I am home.

I think the express sighted barreled action would of been in its youth one of these ?

http://i.imgur.com/wpkOrtVh.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/nyOi2a7h.jpg

@norsk luv too. just need a press lol.
I got the dies years ago and used my mates press but im sure we can work something out. One of my missus' workmates hubbies is going to do some reloading for me so might be able to wack them in his press.
when are you back?
@Scout the sporter style stock on the bottom one looks nice

Heading home for Xmas hopefully.

The barrel has "Jessops fluid pressed Steel" stamped on it,it's fairly heavy so if you don't like the profile just turn it down.

Yes, if the left hand side of your BSA action has machining for safety or little flat it most likely was one of those .

yes the BSA action has provision for the action mounted safety. @norsk well that will make me get my shit sorted and at least get my dies, powder etc back.
how local will you be?