1915 .22 Lee Enfield Ammo question.

[BillT]

I have a 1915 Lee Enfield training rifle in .22. I have had a problem finding ammo for it though (don't laugh yet). The firing pin strikes home just fine, but the strike mark is just inside the rim instead of on it. The bolt is matched to the rifle so I know its not misaligned, so the only thing I can think that the problem is would be that modern ammo is made slightly differently as its been well used judging from the shiny barrel. Anyone have any knowledge on this?

[bunkysdad]

Have you disassembled the bolt and inspected all the parts? I am not aware of any changes to ammo, and it's likely that it was closer to WWII when the rifle was converted to .22 cal. I may be wrong.

[BillT]

Thats interesting to know. I don't really know much about it tbh. It has 1915 on the stamp mark (very faint though). I took the bolt apart and all seems fine with it. Like I say, it strikes the base of the rounds just fine.

[bunkysdad]

I have a really nice Enfield book at home and after work I'll see if I can validate what I said and make sure I didn't give you false information.

[BillT]

Thank you I'd appreciate that

[millman]

Got any pics of the strike mark? Also check the breech face. It is possible that the chamber has been peened from dry firing over the years. If there is a divot under the rim where the firing pin hits, it is possible that the primer is not getting a good solid hit.

[Junk Yard Dog]

.22 long rifle has always been rimfire, rimfire preceded centerfire in cartridge evolution. So far as I know all .22 rimfire is made the same. I don't know why the rifle would be striking anyplace but the rim unless something has happened to the bolt, or the bolt head. That bolt hasn't been replaced with a centerfire bolt has it? Most trainers are converted from regular infantry rifles, that being so the original .303 bolt should fit right in that receiver. My own trainer will fire whatever .22 I put in it, we will need some good pics of that bolt head, and firing pin. The British knew how to make a proper .22 LR shooter, if it's not working then there is a good reason.

[BillT]

Here are some pics of the bolt head and breech. All looks to be fine. There are no dints in the breech face from the pin striking. I've shot the firing pin from the side so you can see how far it comes out. The firing pin has no marks on it.

[WeldonHunter]

Here are some pics of the bolt head and breech. All looks to be fine. There are no dints in the breech face from the pin striking. I've shot the firing pin from the side so you can see how far it comes out. The firing pin has no marks on it.

Do you have a picture of a cartridge you attempted to shoot so we can see how/where the firing pin struck it? It's possible that either the firing pin is misaligned with the rim because of wear/play on the bolt or the bolt channel allowing side to side movement in the bolt. Could also be that the bolt is moving back for whatever reason not allowing the firing pin to fully strike the rim. Then there's firing pin depth. That may not be correct.

[BillT]

I'll try and get out tomorrow and take a shot with it. Thanks

[BillT]

The strike marks seem soft. Someone on another board suggested the firing pin may be worn too. What do you think from the pic?

[Junk Yard Dog]

I think he may be right about the worn firing pin, the rifle may have some headspace issues as well. Weak firing pin spring also.

[millman]

I think he may be right about the worn firing pin, the rifle may have some headspace issues as well. Weak firing pin spring also.

+1

[klibben]

It probably is weak, but also looks to centered to me. If it hit hard enough this wouldn't necessarily be an issue... but all of my rimfires strike on the very edge.

[GIPEGE]

Hello.
I knew the same problem on a .22 converted rifle N°IV MkI (called rifle N° 9 by the British)
I have changed the bolt head, and the gun shoots well again.
Maybe, can you try .22 ammo with a more thicker rim?

[Junk Yard Dog]

The Enfields were designed so headspace issues could be fixed with a simple bolt head swap, bolt heads in different sizes were made for the purpose. The same may hold true for the .22's however I can't imagine how many rounds of .22 would have to be fired to put off the rifles headspace. The problem now is that bolt heads for the .22 conversions are not easy to come by, but should you find one it would be worth a try.

[WeldonHunter]

The Enfields were designed so headspace issues could be fixed with a simple bolt head swap, bolt heads in different sizes were made for the purpose. The same may hold true for the .22's however I can't imagine how many rounds of .22 would have to be fired to put off the rifles headspace. The problem now is that bolt heads for the .22 conversions are not easy to come by, but should you find one it would be worth a try.

I have no idea if this is the right part and as much as I hate recomending them I found this complete bolt at Numrich. http://www.gunpartscorp.com/catalog/Pro ... catid=5821 There's actually two listed. Again I'm not even sure that it's same rifle but I can only imagine how hard these are to find parts for. If you look around they probably have others listed. Here's another place that may have it too but you have to call them. I've never bought from them but have called them and have heard nothing but good things about them. They were real nice on the phone with me. http://www.jackfirstgun.com/order.php

[finloq]

The .22LR was invented in the late 19th century. It has not changed significantly in well over 100 years. Your rifle is chambered in .22LR.

[Junk Yard Dog]

Mid 1850's wasn't it?

[finloq]

Mid 1850's wasn't it?

I think the 22LR was late 1880's. It was, of course, based of the 22L, which was late 1850's.
Or there abouts.