Blast from the past, Bring the LeeEnfield back?

HeadDamage

HeadDamage

CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Rating - 100%
138   0   0
Location
Calgary
Would it help get more people into service shooting if more people used surplus rifles like the good old Number #4mk1?

This should result in lower costs (other than ammo) for the new shooter, no space gun and optic arms race etc...

Would it be possible to source good quality 303 ammo to encourage this sort of thing? If not perhaps a standard handload to replicate the Mk7 load?

Any thoughts, ideas, comments etc... ?
 
Last edited:
That is one idea I was thinking of but the main idea was to try and get some of the good shooters (top 10% sort of guys) to start taking Enfields to the big shoots once in awhile to give other shooters a chance at the top and to show that it can be done with Enfields.

For example: The Top five shooters at a provincal championship shoot from one year all show up with Enfields the next year. This would give other black rifle shooters a chance to place higher and it should show what can be done iwth an old cheaper rifle, assuming that the Enfields don't finish last but from my experence they will likely place middle of the pack or higher when shot by good shooters.
 
I do not agree with that. You don't play golf with a hockey stick because you don't want to spend money on a golf club. At the very least, you should have a golf club....maybe a cheap golf club but not a hockey stick.

THe old rifles have their vintage matches. The standard for service rifle is a 5.56 semi auto these days. If you are good, a 7.62 MBR.

It is very clear that C7 with Elcan is still the winning rifle - newbies who got suck into the "army race" needs to realize it is the operator, not the rifle. In stead of worrying about scope, the note book....etc. Go do some PT and spend time dry firing.
 
We lengthened our 200m rapid (10 in 30 seconds) to 15 in 60 seconds so that bolt guns could compete a little easier.

The biggest difference (besides Mausers getting all their shots off) was that "gass-gunners" would get into a rhythm, then have a stoppage and not have enough time to clear and finish.

Quite funny actually.
 
The rangers should get a modern combat weapon system and save the enfield for fending off non-two legged opponents, if their main function is to shoot armed folks making trespass into our terrritory. My understanding is that the rangers' main responsbility is not playing infantry. If they can keep up, more power to them, but we are not slowing down for them. I don't see people gonna slow down for them if they are armed and trespassing the artic, juar becasue the rangers are only armed with bolt action Enfield.

I oppose watering down the program to make it easier. If people with bolt guns cannot shoot 10rounds in 30 seconds, they should work faster or get a semi. Lowering the standard is not the answer.......or we will be getting the boring NRA version of service rifle. If you cannot run.....either start running more or shooting some other programs.
 
Last edited:
greentips said:
I oppose watering down the program to make it easier. If people with bolt guns cannot shoot 10rounds in 30 seconds, they should work faster or get a semi. Lowering the standard is not the answer.......or we will be getting the boring NRA version of service rifle. If you cannot run.....either start running more or shooting some other programs.
Click to expand...

WTF.... Where did I sugest the standards be lowered? I'm saying that if some of the top shooters do the same shoot but with Enfields it might help encorage new shooters to get into the sport. btw getting 10rds off in 30secs with one is not a problem. I started shooting service with a #4 and didn't change to an AR till after I could beat half of the guys with ARs with a #4. It does not deminish the sport/disipline to use a LeeEnfield, think that that it could be used to help it.
 
Last edited:
I think I'll be shooting an Enfield next year with you Andrew.I've conquered the Ar thing I think, so onto something a little more challenging.I'll be very interested to see how you and I can do with the Enfield.A far as I can see, it isn't about watering anything down.Not asking for the matches to be easier.As a matter of fact I oppose ANY changes that make it easier.I just want something to chanllenge me a little more.Make me improve my shooting.
I have a feeling the Rangers are going to kick my ass and I'm quite fine with that.As a matter of fact it's good for me to get it kicked every now and again.
 
Last edited:
you mean like we did at the sniper match?ooooooooooooooohhhhhhhh burn! hmm wait have you done my bolt yet? uhoh!

in all seriousness if you want to try something to challenge you, shoot left handed, seriously. There is a far better chance you'd need that skill, long before you'd have to resort to an old Enfield. But then again, I can understand the desire to go back to the old school system.
I do agree with GT though, the Rangers should get a more modern weapon and kit.
 
As far as skill goes I can't see that using the Enfield from time to time will hurt anyones shooting. Infact, I think that it would help it because iron sights and 303 should be a good reminder of the fudumentals of shooting. Anyway I'm going to give the #4 a go with Ryan at the BCRA shoot next year and we'll see what happens. First think is to secure ammo or figure out a good handload.
 
I think we (at the APRA) should start taking advantage of our match weekends, and do an organized shoot on the Saturdays. Perhaps an 'Irons only' or milsurp match. I'd be willing to pitch in and help organize if there are enough shooters interested.

I'm betting the Lee Enfield would hold it's own against an iron sited AR no problem...
 
HeadDamage said:
As far as skill goes I can't see that using the Enfield from time to time will hurt anyones shooting. Infact, I think that it would help it because iron sights and 303 should be a good reminder of the fudumentals of shooting. Anyway I'm going to give the #4 a go with Ryan at the BCRA shoot next year and we'll see what happens. First think is to secure ammo or figure out a good handload.
Click to expand...
Do you have any 174's left, or did you use them all in your 308:p
 
beltfed said:
I think we (at the APRA) should start taking advantage of our match weekends, and do an organized shoot on the Saturdays. Perhaps an 'Irons only' or milsurp match. I'd be willing to pitch in and help organize if there are enough shooters interested.

I'm betting the Lee Enfield would hold it's own against an iron sited AR no problem...
Click to expand...


I'd be into that. I'll need some practice with the old #4, or maybe #5 ;) , if this is going to work.
 
Every fall the NSRA still does a historic arms match, formerly called the Ishapore Open, for all those FN 1A1 (or IAI) owners to come and play.

Now most folks use Enfields of one sort or another, rule is that it has to be in "as issued" condition, milsurp, safe to fire.

Good fun, but even with some of the best service rifle shooters in the country, looking at the results from past years, it seems as though using historic rifles puts the shooter at a 20 point (or more) disadvantage right off the bat.

We shoot standard matches 1-4, as typified in Ottawa a few years back, when they did a 20-20-20 rapid. Two 20 second exposures, with 20 seconds between. Bolt action shooters get to start in position, gas gunners start in the standing alert.

My recommendation for someone just starting out is to come out and shoot what they have to get started. But, if they truly want to be competitive, they should expect to get an AR-15 type rifle with optics. (Note NSRA has not relaxed the rules to any rifle/any sight, we're still limited to a rifle that externally matches and "as issued" C-7, or C-7A1, with any 4X or less fixed optic. A2 type rear sights are allowed, as are HBAR's, but no free-floats, etc.) When we still have folks turning in scores of 182/185 for matches 1-4, with those equipment requirements, it's the shooter, not the gear that wins.

NavyShooter
 
Last edited:
I've been considering "service rifle" matches for awhile, but I understand it involves moving around, and since I'm not biped, I've stayed away from those ... What's involved in them anyway ?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom