After following the forum for a few years, I'd like to try my hand at building a Lee Speed facsimile.

I've a couple of SMLEs which have been "bubba'd", so I think they'd work as a baseline. I'd welcome some suggestions or thoughts from the great denizens of the board however :-).

1. I'd like to keep the caliber as issued, 303. Any suggestions on how to tell the condition of the bore? One is was used as a grenade launcher, but the rifling still looks good. The other is a standard 1916 rifle.

2. Can the charger guides be cut/filed off without harming the strength of the receiver?

3. I think the front and rear sights are fit on and then pinned. Can the pins be driven out and the sights pushed forward off the barrel? I'd like to replace the issued sights with express sights.

4. Is anyone making stock wood that might work as a starting point?

5. How were the rifles finished? High gloss blue or something less?

Thoughts? Has anyone done something similar?

Thanks,

Kerry Brunner
Saukville, WI
nailcreek@hotmail.com