SMLE Mark III stripper problems

[wlm1843@gmail.com]

Repro stripper clips hold ammo much too tight. Any quick fixes?

[NuJudge]

Polishing the inside is something that I have heard the British did. I have no reproduction chargers, but I find my originals work rather better after they have been used a few times. One more thing I do is put a small amount of a lube that will not kill primers inside the charger, and work cartridges through a few times (I'm sure a British NCO would be apoplectic if a soldier did this).

The British arranged cartridges in their chargers, usually in one particular fashion referred to as "three down and two up". The only exception to this I have found is several small cases of Greenwood and Batley .303 ammo made just before WWII, where each of the cartridges were arranged in sequence.

[p246]

Yep what NuJudge said. I polish the inside of mine lightly with 0000 wool and use a q tip to place just a little wax where the rim rides. You can google the stacking method and get some good pictures. This was to prevent rim lock since the 303 was a rimmed case. The 303 chargers are one of the more temperamental versions of all my mil surps. Probably because there is more contact area hence more friction to overcome.

[Sunray]

Try spreading the lips/wings a tick. Probably less fuss to just buy some proper issue chargers though. Not cheap at $2.45 each from Gunparts. 10 plus gets you a lower price though.
Lube isn't going to kill the primer but it can cause excessive pressure in the chamber that'd possibly cause a trauma.
'Apoplectic' is pretty much the standard condition of NCO's everywhere. I could make moustache twirls spin just by showing up and marching. snicker.