Have been restoring a "Martin Adjusted" BSA commercial SMLE target rifle that bubba just had to turn into a deer rifle. Managed to find a brand new front end stock set, and decent fittings. Adjusted the nosecap so that it applies some pressure to the barrel at 2 and 10 o'clock. Forend fit is tight, but unaltered. Obviously it is no longer Martin adjusted, but it is a handsome rifle, with a decent bore. Finally got it out to the range, only 100 yds available. With Yugo Mk. VII equivalent, and IVI 180 gr soft point, it groups 1 to 2 moa. Only took 3 rounds to get the PH5A backsight centered after lining it up with the issue sights. Seems that the rifle has potential, although it will require testing at longer ranges to be sure.
SMLE range report
- Thread starter tiriaq
- Start date
Oh, tiriaq, you are such a lucky man! Sometimes getting one of these to really shoot is a miserable job.
One to 2 MOA is good for any ironsight rifle; lots of people will not believe it of a Lee, but you have the proof.
One to 2 MOA is good for any ironsight rifle; lots of people will not believe it of a Lee, but you have the proof.
Short Magazine Lee Enfield.
Sometimes you get lucky.
Took another restoration out at the same time - a '42 Lithgow, also with a PH5A for testing. First group after zeroing was close to 1", second was 5 1/2", third was 4". Its stock fit is excellent, as is the bore, but it is going to need work. After the first group I was really excited, 2 real shooters, then reality struck.
As I understand it, a SMLE that will consistantly hold less than 3 moa is pretty good, one that will hold 2 is pretty special. This is why I want to get the Martin out for testing at longer range, to make sure that it holds up at the ranges for which it was intended; a few groups at 100 don't really prove anything, but suggest that there may be potential. I do have difficulty with a post front sight as opposed to an aperture. Was using a 100yd target folded in half to create the traditional aiming mark, with the rounds striking high on a second sheet, to allow the line of sight to clear the issue sights. Haven't removed the open sights yet. The issue pattern rear on the Martin has very positive clean clicks, incidentally. I was shooting with a pedestal front rest, sandbag rear, to try to reduce shooter induced error.
Sometimes you get lucky.
Took another restoration out at the same time - a '42 Lithgow, also with a PH5A for testing. First group after zeroing was close to 1", second was 5 1/2", third was 4". Its stock fit is excellent, as is the bore, but it is going to need work. After the first group I was really excited, 2 real shooters, then reality struck.
As I understand it, a SMLE that will consistantly hold less than 3 moa is pretty good, one that will hold 2 is pretty special. This is why I want to get the Martin out for testing at longer range, to make sure that it holds up at the ranges for which it was intended; a few groups at 100 don't really prove anything, but suggest that there may be potential. I do have difficulty with a post front sight as opposed to an aperture. Was using a 100yd target folded in half to create the traditional aiming mark, with the rounds striking high on a second sheet, to allow the line of sight to clear the issue sights. Haven't removed the open sights yet. The issue pattern rear on the Martin has very positive clean clicks, incidentally. I was shooting with a pedestal front rest, sandbag rear, to try to reduce shooter induced error.
- Location
- WMU248 near Edmonton
good finds,
I've got a BSA Co Comercial production rifle, undated reciever but with a 1927 target crowned barrel, with the BSA piled rifles on the top of the barrel. I'm trying to remember if it is marked martin adjusted, I'm fairly sure that it is.
Problem is that the wood is sporterized PH5A is missing
and the front site blade is also missing so I really have not gotten around to testing it out yet. It's my next in line for restoration.
I got it at an auction about 2 years back for $25, missing the mag. I was at the same auction house last week and enfields in the same condition were going for $75-$125. I used to buy all the $25-$40 enfields that did not have chopped up metal. I have a few good finds in the back of the gun valt.
I've got a BSA Co Comercial production rifle, undated reciever but with a 1927 target crowned barrel, with the BSA piled rifles on the top of the barrel. I'm trying to remember if it is marked martin adjusted, I'm fairly sure that it is.
Problem is that the wood is sporterized PH5A is missing
and the front site blade is also missing so I really have not gotten around to testing it out yet. It's my next in line for restoration. I got it at an auction about 2 years back for $25, missing the mag. I was at the same auction house last week and enfields in the same condition were going for $75-$125. I used to buy all the $25-$40 enfields that did not have chopped up metal. I have a few good finds in the back of the gun valt.
- Location
- WMU248 near Edmonton
double tap
That Lithgow is interesting. Make sure the kingscrew is tight. Also you might want ot take off the forestock and make sure the coachwood isn't starting to split as can often happen if the recoil pates are not properly fitted to the recoil shoulders.
- Location
- Tucson, Arizona
You Canadians sure sell nice stuff! Old purchase from Milarm: Commercial BSA Long Lee, reciever sight an early version of the No9, Barrel sight a windage and elevation adjustable Sutherland, Front sight a standard ramp, but also a Alex Martin optical sight.
Bolt cover engraved Alex Martin Glasgow & Aberdeen
So if you are wondering where some of those nice Enfields went, they are south of the border :wink: In fact I bought 6 of my Long Lees from Milarm.
:mrgreen:
Bolt cover engraved Alex Martin Glasgow & Aberdeen
So if you are wondering where some of those nice Enfields went, they are south of the border :wink: In fact I bought 6 of my Long Lees from Milarm.
:mrgreen:
