Bush Rifle?

Tyler, I resent being labelled by you as the "boogey man". You don't know me and it is simply a cheap shot to allege that I am somehow in cahoots with rifle companies.

I never said that a Lee Enfield would blow up. I did say that modern actions are stronger and safer. I don't think you could realistically deny that. They're proofed to much higher pressures and have tigher lockups. This means that they can take a wider range of handloads and are suited for higher intensity cartridges.

As you yourself stated, it will take some work to find a suitable milsurp. In my first post, I mentioned that I paid $40 for an unbelievable P-14 (I'm talking close to 1/2 moa). The point is that these rifles are hard to come by. On the other hand, a new rifle is virtually guaranteed to work and is easy to come by, with no prior inspection required. Most people will agree that once you find a milsurp in really decent condition, the cost goes up. It gets within spitting distance of the Stevens. That's why I think the Stevens is a better, more practical choice, for right now.
 
Just a suggestion, Why not a lever 30-30? Like say a Marlin 30a or Glenfield. They came with hardwood stocks, so they aren't as pretty, but their cheaper. Ammo will be dirt easy to find as well. The only thing I might catch flack for is, why don't you scrap the scope bussiness (if you were going in that direction) & put the difference towards the rifle? If the gun is going to be in the truck for the most part (maybe getting knocked around?) iron sights would probably be better. Either way check out ellwoodepps.com. They have a lot of the rifles mentioned here & I have always had good dealings with them. They will ship anywhere in Canada for pretty reasonable rate. Good Luck.
 
p-17 said:
Tyler, I resent being labelled by you as the "boogey man". You don't know me and it is simply a cheap shot to allege that I am somehow in cahoots with rifle companies.

I never said that a Lee Enfield would blow up. I did say that modern actions are stronger and safer. I don't think you could realistically deny that. They're proofed to much higher pressures and have tigher lockups. This means that they can take a wider range of handloads and are suited for higher intensity cartridges.

As you yourself stated, it will take some work to find a suitable milsurp. In my first post, I mentioned that I paid $40 for an unbelievable P-14 (I'm talking close to 1/2 moa). The point is that these rifles are hard to come by. On the other hand, a new rifle is virtually guaranteed to work and is easy to come by, with no prior inspection required. Most people will agree that once you find a milsurp in really decent condition, the cost goes up. It gets within spitting distance of the Stevens. That's why I think the Stevens is a better, more practical choice, for right now.
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I'm not disagreeing with you at all. I think you're 100% right. However, a lot of people have no need for 'modern high intensity' cartridges that can kill a deer at 600 yards. .303 can effectively kill just about anything on 4 legs on the North American continent. I own 1 Lee Enfield and 3 P-14's, and I would never consider rechambering them for 7mm Magnum or whatever the popular hunting round of the day is. .303 is just fine, and has worked well for more than a century.

Besides, Rohann posted in the mil-surps section looking for advice. If he wanted a run of the mill, plane jane, Savage, Stevens, or Mossberg rifle, I'm sure he would have posted this in the hunting and sporting sections.

Buying a used rifle is just like buying a used car. If you spend a little bit of time shopping around and doing some research, you will come away with a good deal, and save yourself a good deal of money. I would hardly consider a trip to the gunsmith to get the head-space verified as an 'inconvience'. Bolt-heads can be swapped on the No.4 quite easily.

Don't worry about the 'boogey man' comment, I'm only joking around.
 
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As the the suitability of the .303 for all hunting in Canada, I agree. It's a classic cartridge. Actually, I'm looking forward to trying the new 150-grain Barnes Tripleshock. That could well turn out to be an ideal moose bullet.

As my nickname suggests, I'm a fan of the old military action. In answer to this particular post, however, I'd still maintain that the newer rifle would be more practical from both a short-term and long-term point of view.
 
p-17 said:
In answer to this particular post, however, I'd still maintain that the newer rifle would be more practical from both a short-term and long-term point of view.
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If he needed a cheap rifle *right now*, then I'd agree with you. Though it sounds like his trip is far enough away to give him time to look around.
 
By the way - what's the price bracket for the rifle that we're looking at here? For some people an affordable gun can be $500-$1000 after tax, while for others it has to be under $200 all told, and that's pushing it. If you're going under $200 I'd still put my money on a Lee Enfield. Parts everywhere, common, ammo common, reliable. P14's can also be found ( though less often) as the much lauded "more accurate" .303 rifle.

Personally, I've shot a lot of the milsurps, they're all more accurate than I am, so as long as it has good internals it comes down to what I can make myself do, not what the rifle is capable of.
 
If expense is an issue, I'd steer away from the jungle carbines and go head first into one of the bubba's available in the EE...you're indicating it's going to be abused, going to be a workhorse, not a showcase winner...

All told, I'd go for a cheap chopped No4Mk1 for the time being. No sense in destroying a perfectly good full wood model when they're twice as expensive and more often than not deemed as collectors items...

Awesome guns...
 
I alway's liked a short .303 but couldn't bring myself to use/abuse a Jungle carbine.

I found me a sporterized No.4 Mk.1 with good solid 2 groove rifling and cut the barrel down to 19 inch's. I then took the original front site and slide it as far back as it would go and filed a groove in the barrel for the front sight pin and voila! My $40.00 bush gun.

I then degreased it with some gasoline I had and spray painted it with flat black Tremclad.

I relocated the sling swivel's on the left hand side opposite the bolt so when I sling up it stay's put without the bolt digging into my back.

I did that when I was 18. I'm 41 now and still use it.
 
A 303 caliber Lee-Enfield sporter, is hard to beat for price. Ammo always available at reasonable cost, and it will kill any critters anywhere in North America.

Another important consideration when traveling with a Lee-Enfield rifle, is that is easy to take apart and shorten it by unbolting the stock, and it will thus fit into any ordinary suitcase :)
 
Rohann said:
G W H: Problem is, I don't have $500+ to spend on a rifle.

-Rohann
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You will never find a No5 carbine for under $500 these days, unless you want a sportered one, and even then I doubt it. PM sent.

Personally I'd stick with the Mosin carbine, head to island outfitters and stock up on Seller & Bellot soft point ammo.
 
Thanks for the advice all!
p-17: From a functional point of view, I agree with you, I'm sure a new Stevens or Mossberg would be a better bet. However, I have always wanted an Enfield (whether or not it's original), and figured now is a good time to get one. Realistically, being in college right now, $200 or less would be a more accurate pricerange for me. I know it'll function well for the purpose I have in mind for it, and I know of quite a few people who hunt well with them. As long as it's under 2MOA-ish, I'll be happy.

Tyler: Thanks for the advice! I'll see if I can find myself a good one.

Danceswithempties: All I can say is "Blech! Lever actions!" As inherently cool as they might be, I've simply never really been a fan of them.

fat_tony: In relation to my current available pricerange, they are expensive as hell. If I had the money then I'm sure I'd be up for it, as a new Enfield would be pretty cool, but that unfortunately won't happen any time soon.

Calum: Not really looking for a no.5, just a no.4 that shoots under 2MOA.

-Rohann
 
Calum said:
You will never find a No5 carbine for under $500 these days, unless you want a sportered one, and even then I doubt it. PM sent.

Personally I'd stick with the Mosin carbine, head to island outfitters and stock up on Seller & Bellot soft point ammo.
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Check your facts jack....

"http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php?t=200573

FS: Lee Enfield #5 Mk1 Jungle Carbine
Hey,

Selling my Enfield No5 Mk1 ROF (F) carbine. Dated 2/45. Bolt and receiver are matching, bolt head #1 (if I recall, it may be #0, can't be sure without looking). Wood appears to be matching and original finish, no cracks or significant dings. Headspace was tested with a field guage, all good. Magazine is matching, but needs some tweaking of the feed lips to feed properly. In any case, an extra, non matching magazine is included, which works perfectly.
Finish is Suncorite, mostly intact, some wear in high areas and on the flash hider. Sling is included, don't know enough about them to say if it's original to the rifle. Also included is 10 stripper clips (not pictured).

$450 shipped.

Sorry for the crappy pics ."
 
Go ask at Pullen's, they'll have a Mauser/Enfield/Nagant Bubba'ed or not, and some ammo for it, and within your price range (which is reasonable for what you're looking for). John will check it out for you and you'll know you're good to go - too easy.
 
Lots of guys have recommended enfields...

I have a Parker Hale sporterized #4 Mk 1. Reinstalled the original "battle sight" which works well in rainforest brush in shadows plus flips up to a respectable peep sight. Put a cheap ramline stock on it and it is my ultimate cabin gun.

One benefit to a bolt action; if you can remove the bolt you have rendered the rifle inoperable...storage requirements in motel rooms/camps with no gun safe?

The down side to this is you may be able to have the bolt and rifle in different places when you want to make some noise.
 
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