Enfields...so do you guys actually shoot them?

[.22LRGUY]

Hey guys~I have ZERO experience shooing an Enfield, and am drawn to the No1 MK III. Just love the look of them, and the idea that Canadians carried them in WW1. (if I have my facts straight) I do poke around the Milsurp EE frequently and over the years, it's these guns that get the juices flowing for me....and even (maybe, especially) the less common 22LR trainers, Ishapore 410s (that could shoot modern 410) etc. I don't have a big budget and when I do scrape together enough $ to get something I'm pining for...I have to shoot it to justify owning it. Not enough $ for wallhangers unfortunately. It will be a process I'm sure, but I'm reasonably sure I'd like a gun that is "Canadian"..or issued to Canadians if it's a 303. The others are what they are, but I wouldn't likely try to get all the ones I'm interested in.

So I guess my question is this~if you own a nearly 100 year old rifle...do you shoot the thing? Are you overly concerned with resale value? When buying, what condition does the bore have to be before you'll either shoot it allot, or know you don't want to wear it out any further? Not suggesting anyone takes one out and blasts 500 rounds a day at the range..just curious how many people here shoot them, or better yet..consider them a "shootable" part of their collection.

Guess that was more than one question. lol

I've learned one thing about myself~I may totally love a given rifle/shotgun...but the longer it collects dust, the more likely it is to be sold for something I will shoot. Enfields~just wondering if they're a good fit for me.

 

[Fargone4sure]

The #1 mk iii is one of my favorite rifles, and gets shot as much as anything. One question is if you reload or not? 303 can be a little pricey for factory ammo. But reloaded with cast bullets its pretty inexpensive. Cast also has the advantage of minimizing bore wear to almost none. Either way, the Enfields are very shootable. Heres a pic of my #1 sniper reproduction I just finished a few weeks back.

 

[Gnome75]

I shoot mine as much as I can afford. Reloading helps a lot with this. Mine has the C broad arrow so it was used by Canadians for sure. Obviously mine is not matching numbers or anything because I restored it from a sporter. Its not perfect but its mine and I love it. I don't see an Enfield with resale value. I might put in my will to bury me with my No4 honestly. As far as wearing it out, I am not concerned. Get one that has decent rifling and it will last your life time. If you do manage to wear it out and you get keyholes, oh well. I would still shoot it, probably less though.

Don't forget the bayonet. The Canadian ones also have the C broad arrow

 

[Phat Eagle]

We hold regular Classic Battle Rifle matches at Chilliwack, so mine gets out from time to time. My other ol' war horses get jealous, so I spread the attention around.

 

[RifleDude]

I've got a No 1, No 4, No 5 and a No4 sporter and shoot them all. I shoot all my milsurps as a matter of pride. Collecting is fine but shooting the old milsurps gives me a real kick. I just recently shot my No5 in the classic CQB matches (and did terrible but had a lot of fun). Handloading is a good way to reduce cost as mentioned.

 

[Suther]

We hold regular Classic Battle Rifle matches at Chilliwack, so mine gets out from time to time. My other ol' war horses get jealous, so I spread the attention around.

Are sporterized rifles allowed?

OP, it wouldn't cost much to get a sporter to see if you like the platform, and if you do you can get a full wood military configuration down the road. If you decide you don't like it, you can sell it on the EE and likely only be out shipping. Mine cost $110+ship on the EE. If you like peep sights get a no4mk1, if you like v-notch rear sights a no1mk3 would be the right choice.

I don't shoot mine as much as I'd like, but I can say that about all my guns, just not enough free time to hit the range more frequently. I'm going to chop the barrel on my no1 and install a peep sight into the charger bridge to turn it into a handy peep sighted truck gun.

 

[Phat Eagle]

Thread hijack warning!!!!!

Are sporterized rifles allowed?

Yes. Rules are must be iron sights, 6.5mm or greater, previously issued to some military, and in use prior to 1955. We see everything from Trapdoor Springfields to SKS. They run a few different classes to try and level things out a bit.

 

[.22LRGUY]

Thanks for the input (and photos) guys. Much appreciated. I do hand load, but I hadn't realized that using cast bullets basically means the bore may remain mostly as you found it. Guess I still have a ton to learn about hand loading. (knew that already, lol)

I'll keep my eyes open for a Canadian one..but will be sure to bug you guys again when the $ is ready to roll. As before...a 22LR trainer, or one of the Ishapore 410s may get in the way. lol

 

[7ECA]

Check out Corwin Arms, Martin's often got a few SMLEs kicking around - and they may be Canadian marked as well... He's also got very reasonable prices.

Cheaper commercial ammo is available, it's the Wolf/WPA/LVE Russian made stuff. It does have undersized bullets (.308s instead of proper .312s), so you need a really tight barrel to get it to shoot accurately.

 

[55recce]

Remember the trick is to pull the rifle firmly into the shoulder and not shoot prone. In this way the whole upper body is pushed back by the rifle which does not then kick against the shoulder. If you don't know what you are doing and try to get away with a loosey goosey poodle shooter hold you will get hurt and develop a flinch

 

[woodchopper]

oh yes I try to shoot them when I have time

I have a fair number of full wood/original configuration Enfields including No1s, No4s, No5, EALs, No4 DCRA converted to 7.62, Ishy 2A also in 7.62, 1912 Navy trainer .22, I really need to get a few more.

then there is a pile of sporters that I have thinned out over the years but includes a sweet little 1912 Navy trainer that was sporterized and converted to 22 Hornet which is a pleasure to shoot.

In the project pile there are all sorts of weird and wonderful things that need some attention, and eventually they will all get to the range.

If I had more time.

 

[Gnome75]

Remember the trick is to pull the rifle firmly into the shoulder and not shoot prone. In this way the whole upper body is pushed back by the rifle which does not then kick against the shoulder. If you don't know what you are doing and try to get away with a loosey goosey poodle shooter hold you will get hurt and develop a flinch

Enfield's don't kick that hard. The British actually picked the 303 British because it does not kick as hard as others. You are correct about the flinch though

 

[.22LRGUY]

Enfield's don't kick that hard. The British actually picked the 303 British because it does not kick as hard as others. You are correct about the flinch though

I'm listening/absorbing as I go...but hadn't heard anyone suggest I should be concerned about recoil on a 303 British. Still, good form is good form...so I appreciate all input. If shooting slugs/00 Buck from 12ga pumps...and anything from my 1895 in 45/70 Govt. has taught me~holding it away from your shoulder has the opposite of a desired effect. lol (been shooting shotguns for 34 years) I'm 6'1", and down to about 265 lbs...so as a rule, not overly recoil shy.

 

[Gnome75]

I'm listening/absorbing as I go...but hadn't heard anyone suggest I should be concerned about recoil on a 303 British. Still, good form is good form...so I appreciate all input. If shooting slugs/00 Buck from 12ga pumps...and anything from my 1895 in 45/70 Govt. has taught me~holding it away from your shoulder has the opposite of a desired effect. lol (been shooting shotguns for 34 years) I'm 6'1", and down to about 265 lbs...so as a rule, not overly recoil shy.

You will be fine. After your 12ga and 45-70 shooting, a 303 will be a delight.

On a side note, the mosin kicks a little more than an Enfield but its not as bad as people say. Any one who tells you an Enfield or mosin kicks hard has never shot anything bigger than a 223.

 

[Ganderite]

Yes, we shoot them.

The ORA has "Sporting Rifle Shoots" at Camp Borden. This used to be the "Vintage Rifle" shoot, but too many guys were bring black rifles.

100, 200 and 300 yards.

100 is shot standing.

Deliberate, Snap and Mover at each distance.

Lots of fun, and prizes too.

Bring 125 rounds.

Next Shoot is in 10 days - June 9.

If you want to join in the fun, pm me your name and email address.

 

[cyclone]

You will be fine. After your 12ga and 45-70 shooting, a 303 will be a delight.

On a side note, the mosin kicks a little more than an Enfield but its not as bad as people say. Any one who tells you an Enfield or mosin kicks hard has never shot anything bigger than a 223.

The Mosin's stock is ridiculous, concentrating recoil-kick into a small metal plate...



There's always a slip-on Pachmyr (sp?) "decelerator" pad; those non-permanent additions tame recoil on just about anything, without changing LOP too much...

 

[.22LRGUY]

Thanks for the post, I'd love to join you June.9...but can't. My brother and I are hosting a 75th birthday party for my mom, and it's a super big deal for her. Would love to be there, but mom comes first! I do appreciate the invite...and you guys have me thinking about Enfields more than ever now.

Thanks!

 

[LE303]

Sold my two Enfields recently and have shot them both . BUT I am never giving up my 2A 308 bad boy

 

[Evanguy]

Yes i sure shoot them, i have lee metfords, long lees, LEC's , CLLE, no 1,4 and 5's. Most in 303 some in 22rf and only 1 now in 410

Lost of sporters rebarreled to different calibers from 25-20 to 43 mauser.

Some of the older ones are 125 years old, i shoot the lee metfords using cast and any age LE with mostly cast but zero issues running factory ammo or jacketed relaods.

 

[kjohn]

Not sure how many I actually own. I shoot some of them, mostly cast reloads. Back in the day, we used to shoot surplus, but it has all dried up, and has become hoarding material.

OP, there is a mountain of information available on the internet. There are more variations of the Lee Enfield than you can shake a stick at, all with their own interesting facts. Maybe find a sporter in each a No.1 MkIII and a No.4, shoot them a bit, study up on the ones you have. You might be surprised! Enjoy the journey!