Enfields

[ftlupton]

Don't know why but have a sudden urge to get an Enfield, not to sporterize, leave it stock and shoot. May want to use it for deer, antelope instead of the super duper scoped never miss 700. Anybody here an Enfield expert who can give me some pointers? thanks.
ftlupton

[MrMurphy]

Are you talking US M1917 Enfields, or the Lee-Enfields from England?

[ftlupton]

Lee-Enfield, I built up a 1917 type years ago and killed my first elk with it. Good(heavy) gun for a 14 yr old kid. Thought about the Lee-Enfield for deer mostly, don't shoot much past 150 yds now at my age.

[MrMurphy]

The two primary models are the No.1 MkIII (SMLE) the WW1/WW2 model with leaf sights, 10 shot magazine and all that. The other is the No.4 Mk1 (WW2 model) which has an aperature, same magazine, supposed to be slightly stronger. I own a No.4 and have made effective iron sight hits at 900+ yards (truck size target).


For just a deer gun, there's quite a few bubba'd Lee-Enfields out there that'll still do the job. Leave the primo ones to us collectors. :)

[wonderwolf]

If you get one make sure you get one that has more than 2 lands and grooves..my No.4 Mk.1 is like this and dosnt shoot well past 200 yards...It wont really hit a target at 300..(I've tried once during a high power match..and it wasnt me).


as far as the two rifles are concerned I thought the No.1 Mk 3 had a dif magazine?

[Rigormootis]

The 2-groove vs. 5- or 6-groove thing has played out on several forums with most deciding that it doesn't matter as far as accuracy with 2 caviats... 1) that 2-groove barrels wear out quicker, and (2) that it is MUCH more difficult to clean all the copper out from them. I have taken in several supposedly "worn-out" 2-groove No.4 rifles and made them very nice shooters by just cleaning out all the copper.

SO, if you have a 2-groove that you have already slugged to check bore diameter and then ruled out the possiblility that you are using the wrong diameter bullets in it (most Savages I have fired are right at .311) - and remember that some (like some lots of newer Remington) factory ammo for .303 is loaded with .308 bullets!), and the grooves & crown look good, check the muzzle end (shine light down from that end, at an angle, and look at the bore near the muzzle from that end to see if you can see CU deposits. If you do, you will need to get these out before she'll shoot well for you. Wipe-Out (overnight soaks, and careful attention to the last 2-3 inches of bore) and/or home-made electric CU removers work best for this.

FWIW, my 2 most accurate Lee Enfields are a miny 2-groove Savage and a 5-groove Maltby (which looked like hell externally when I first got it).

[MrMurphy]

Having exchanged a magazine from an all-original No.1 Mk III with brass butt ID disc and area fire sights dated 1917 with my No.4 Mk1 of around 1943 vintage, yes, it's the same magazine.

[ftlupton]

Learned a bunch from the responses, thanks. I went looking yesterday and will go back today and spend more time checking them out. Almost all were No4 Mk1's at $269. Thanks again.
ftlupton

[wonderwolf]

ammo is few and far between in my area....might wanna look into a .308 enfield

[MrMurphy]

Never had a problem finding it in TX, and there's always online.

[jp233]

$269 yowzers! That better be in excellent shape or one with a scope.

Century has pretty nice ones for like 149 I believe. Some grease in the bolt/receiver but the stock is nice and the bore is good.

You can put a pretty decent scope on it to mimic the old scopes of the time but also I've heard the iron sights on it are pretty sweet if you get good with them.

.303 ammo from Sportsmans Guide or one of the other zillion ammo places online !

[wonderwolf]

I got mine when I was 13 (6 years ago). Paid $175 for it with money I made....you guessed it mowing yards.(and being a hired gun for the farm rodents). I always wanted a mk 3 but have yet to find a good one yet expensive ammo usually keeps me from getting another enfield. I purchased a jungle carbine when I was 16 or so..Sold it cause it ate ammo up and wasnt stellar on paper and the bolt had a tendancy to open up prematurely during live fire.

[JellyBelly]

My "numbers correct" Jungle Carbine. It's not a postwar chop job. This will shoot "minute of dirt clod" as far as I care to shoot. I just wish I'd gotten it when .303 ammo was cheap.
http://my.core.com/~dleahy/.photos/Guns/JungleCarbine1.jpg

[FotoTomas]

I have a No4 and just purchased some clips for the .303 ammo. Plan to use this rifle in a couple of three gun matches for fun. Will use the Enfield .380 revolver as well. :)

[MrMurphy]

Make sure the ammo rims are staggered in the clip, so the bottom round is flat against the clip, the #4 is just ahead of it rimwise, then #3 is flat against the clip, i.e repeat as necessary.

Might wanna slightly grease the clip too or the rounds won't always pop out.