Building a 1000+m target rifle out of an old N04 mk1.

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Enfield303

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This is something that can be done. I'm wondering if this is something that should be done. I have wanted to do this since I saw an old 1903 target that blew my mind. Any opinions?
 
Anything can be done if you have enough money. From my perspective, it would be like turning a sow's ear into a silk purse.

If you're into the N04 mk1's, then give'r!
 
I for one love the look of the Enfield Enforcers and understand the appeal of making such a beastie.

I'd likely start with a AIA Match B2 if one can be found and giver :)
 
I don't know why but I love the look of my old Enfield. I think it would look sooo mean with a super long xtra heavy barrel and a monster scope with a sunshade. Besides I really want to beat this pompous ass I know in Provincial competition. He shoots a 260 rem.
 
Someone else might be willing to spend cash on a Musgrave or a Sportco M44 (or a trued Remington 700) and they would be a better investment IMO.

If you're going to put something like a Krieger barrel on it for serious shooting, why put it on a marginal action when there's better available?

Something to think about........
 
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i have a old ORA enfield target rifle made on a moded no 7 back tang cut of and aflat tail so it has 2 beding points and is in anshutz type prone stock with a a canjar trigger and 30 inch barrel. still shoots 1/2 at 300 yards
tornado
 
A marginal action it may be, but I already own it. Don't have to look for another, used to the feel of it and as it is right now I can do .560 at 100 m. Using reloads of coarse. $500ish for a new barrel installed. Maybe upgrade the trigger & scope. Way cheaper than finding an action then barreling it then upgrading the trigger new bases, rings, scope and stock.
 
What their hinting at is the action is too sloppy on a #4. The bolt to brass mating surfaces are rarely the same, twice. Tuning a #4 action, well it might be do-able.
Its only money and ya can't take it with ya. So have at er.
 
tigrr said:
What their hinting at is the action is too sloppy on a #4. The bolt to brass mating surfaces are rarely the same, twice. Tuning a #4 action, well it might be do-able.
Its only money and ya can't take it with ya. So have at er.
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Thank you for the info. I know I'm new here but I've noticed a straight answer is hard to come by. Lots of hints but to a noob you guys may as well be speaking Greek.
 
The #4 was the long range rifle of choice long after much "better" actions were available, such as the heavy Paramount action with its 4 lug front locking bolt.

The reason was that it would "compensate" at long range for the velocity variables if military ball ammo. A top notch target rifle will shoot the lower velocity ammo lower on the target than a #4 will.

With match ammo a match rifle is tops. With military ball ammo, the #4 is better.

The zenith of #4 target rifles was probably the models made to go into one piece target stocks. I have one I could sell if anyone wants one. Parker Hale sight, Shultz Larsen barrel.

My moment of glory was in '84.
 
Ditto what Ganderite posted. In the old days of the DCRA, the army issue 7.62 ball ammunition was all the shooters could use. It was free afterall, so tune the rifle to the ammo. The list of available rifles was short - No.4, P14/M17, M98, Carl Gustav and maybe Rem 700 or Win M70. Hardly any other actions were thought to be good enough. Besides every shooter had two or three No.4s. In the '70's when Musgraves and Sportcos came along and started winning, guys didn't feel as constrained with their No.4s.

I have one in the locker with a light single stage trigger, solid feed platform, wide laminated foreend, floating barrel, high comb butt, sandpaper buttpad, grooved trigger, inletted handstop rail, etc. Just about every part has been examined and tuned. Can it shoot 1000yds? Dunno, I have other rifles good for that.
 
I had one of those DCRA converted 308's. That rifle shot very well. Pity I had to sell it to fund other needs. What a piece of history.

Keep the pressures to the standards of the day and these actions WILL work just fine. I have owned and shot several Lee's both No1 and 4's. They can shoot sub MOA with handloads with orig barrels so there is nothing lacking here.

The Brits used this as their sniper platform for many a year PAST WWII.

As has been said, they shot out to 1200yds no problem at Bisley

Is it the best option to use as a platform given the many dirt cheap modern donor actions? No but so what.

Classic has its appeal too.

Making me rather nostalgic....

Jerry
 
Enfield303 said:
This is something that can be done. I'm wondering if this is something that should be done. I have wanted to do this since I saw an old 1903 target that blew my mind. Any opinions?
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If you are serious, give me a pm or email and we can discuss your build.

There are still some very nice bits that be put on to make the ergonomics and trigger very useable.

Dont think full wood stocks are readily available anymore but various sporters should be.

Jerry
 
Being an Enfield owner of a jungle carbine,it is a battle proven rifle,I like the
action over other rifles,but that is a user preference.If you are not going for
massive long range with a better barrel and ammo,say hunting,I'd say go for
it. It is a rifle with looser tolerances than the modern action sniper or high
grade hunting rifle,this makes in my opinion,a great back country rifle.
 
Run what you've got and have fun

I just dug out my old L.R.T.R. It was some dusty after 20 or so years. It was still under development when I stopped shooting. I do remember suprising a few folks the day after the Mini Palma match at Batosh range when it held the water line at 800 &900 meters shooting DA ball ammo against the Yanks and their 190s. This rifle was a long branch #4 with the rear socket cut off and a 1/2" thick tang fastened to the rear with fitted recessed cap screws then ground square with the world. It is bedded in an old Robertson stock and is barreled with a .3065 1turn in 11" hammer forged enfield target barrel supplied to John Gibson by Arnold Parks. Oh ya a canjar trigger and speed lock spring are fitted. Likely the uglyist rifle I ever shot but it's not about pretty. I think I'll finish it and try to get out to a few matches this year it should shoot the 155s, time will tell about brass life. Have fun.
 
R1200GS said:
I just dug out my old L.R.T.R. It was some dusty after 20 or so years. It was still under development when I stopped shooting. I do remember suprising a few folks the day after the Mini Palma match at Batoche range when it held the water line at 800 & 900 meters shooting DA ball ammo against the Yanks and their 190s. This rifle was a long branch #4 with the rear socket cut off and a 1/2" thick tang fastened to the rear with fitted recessed cap screws then ground square with the world. It is bedded in an old Robertson stock and is barreled with a .3065 1turn in 11" hammer forged enfield target barrel supplied to John Gibson by Arnold Parks. Oh ya a canjar trigger and speed lock spring are fitted. Likely the uglyist rifle I ever shot but it's not about pretty. I think I'll finish it and try to get out to a few matches this year it should shoot the 155s, time will tell about brass life. Have fun.
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Tuning the rifle to match the ammunition! You may be disappointed with the 155s, the throat isn't necessarily the same as the 147s.
 
My long Branch made several forays to Bisely and a bunch around Canada with a different owner, and will still do 1.5MOA or better on a good day.
I have shot some pretty good scores using Military ammo at 1K with it, but benched with the issue sight, not slung up with a PH 5C on it.:)
Cat
 
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