Lee Einfield problems

Ok heres the deal i bought 800 rnds of .303 british off of sportsmansguide military stuff thats from 1940's - 1950's

I use it in my einfield and about 1/2 the time it doesnt fire, i'm begging to think that it might be my rifle? It hits the primer but it may be a bit weak. Than i try it on expensive brand new Wolf gold stuff and every one of them fired. Now i'm wondering if it's the rifle or the ammo.... if its that the rifle is not hitting the primer hard enough what can i do to fix that? The spring used to be full of gunk and i got rid of the gunk inside it, it still does the same thing, is their any way i can extend the firing pin so it comes out a bit further?

What is the make of the .303?

DO NOT mess with the fireing pin, until You can check that out and make sure it within tolerances.

Most likely, Your surplus ammo has weak or corroded primers.

1. that ammo is corrosive. Take appropriate action asap. (clean your rifle with ammonia based cleaner)

2. make sure your bolt head is completely screwed onto the bolt.

3. post more details

4. close up photos would help.

I have had lots of hang fires with surplus .303...but never rounds that simply did not go off.

Kind of like shooting a flintlock....you pull the trigger and count to 3 and boom :-)

There is some real bad milsurp stuff out there...do the primers look nice and dimpled?

the primers on the old stuff looks real good, the make is british. The ammo is bright for bieng that old and looks really good. I have had some hangfires, and i know its corrosive, i shoot corrosive 8mm out of my FN and mauser as well cheap stuff, i just use windex :p

But anyways

to 2.... if i screw it on all the way it doesnt go on right, i think that i have to screw it on and stop right before it reaches the end right?

Details hrmm well i got the rifle at Big 5 shoots new manufacture ammo like a charm... it seems to be having trouble with the old stuff though i'm wondering if it's the ammo or the rifle hitting the round a bit to weakly.... I have about 20 rounds that i kept that are hit with the dent on the primer and no boom, lead still in the round


I'll take some pictures and post them as soon as i can.

Basically 1/2 of the rounds simply dont fire, the other half either fire or hangfire....