EAL enfield

T

tysonv686

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Hey guys, recently picked up a EAL enfield from a guy for $250. It was used in the Yukon with the Canadian forest services in the 70's with his gramps. Bore is in great condition and the stock just shows wear from use over the years. My question is I got a mk III sight from a guy at work and I'm looking for opinions on weather I should keep the original sights or change. Shot a decent group at 100m with no rest with the originals. I'll include pics to show the difference.https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B2mOpwbpIMPGbExFZWY2OExDZG8
https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B2mOpwbpIMPGaF9IcVp2QTRHeHM
https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B...ogle.com/open?id=0B2mOpwbpIMPGZGxoalU1WVkxczQ



And my group
https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B2mOpwbpIMPGVkE1TjY3WXY2ZXc
 
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If the rifle is in decent shape then I would keep it as it is. If the rifle is a shooter but in cosmetically rough shape, I wouldn't hesitate to change the sights but a smithless sight with a pic rail makes more sense than a MIII sight.
 
The pics work with your google drive links just fine except one.

That group doesn't look right to me. Is the bore badly fouled, are you not used to the sights or was it offhand at 100yds???

My civilian EAL, which your rifle is, shoots much better than that. EAL rifles usually do shoot well unless they haven't been properly cleaned or the stocks are a bit loose, which happens over time.

Nice rifle with lots of nostalgic history that is important to you.

IMHO, $500 would be a tad optimistic for that rifle, even if it is worth it.
 
bearhunter said:
The pics work with your google drive links just fine except one.

That group doesn't look right to me. Is the bore badly fouled, are you not used to the sights or was it offhand at 100yds???

My civilian EAL, which your rifle is, shoots much better than that. EAL rifles usually do shoot well unless they haven't been properly cleaned or the stocks are a bit loose, which happens over time.

Nice rifle with lots of nostalgic history that is important to you.

IMHO, $500 would be a tad optimistic for that rifle, even if it is worth it.
Click to expand...
Off hand for the group. The fore stock is a tad loose right now, I went 10 for 10 with the gongs at 200m sitting at a table.
 
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The EAL rifles were made from No.4 rifle actions. The No.4 rifle was designed with the rear sight mounted at the rear of the receiver to give a longer sighting plane than the No. 1Mk. III had with its rear sight mounted on the barrel forward of the receiver. And the No.4's rear sight is a peep sight because that is also better for most users than the open rear sight of the No.1Mk.III. Troop trials showed most men shot better with the No. 4 than with the No.1 Mk.III. Some individuals do better with the latter, but chances are replacing your EAL's rear sight with a No.1Mk. III's will not improve your accuracy and certainly it will involve permanently altering the rifle in a way that will reduce it's value if you ever change your mind about selling it.

Your group at 100 metres or yards is not good. If it doesn't improve with a solid rest, it might improve if you clean for copper fouling. I bought a used rifle that keyholed rounds through the target at 25 yards. I cleaned it with Barnes CR10 and it produced reliable one inch groups at 100. (There are other products that many people say work better for copper, go ahead and try any of them, I'm sure CR10 isn't the only good thing, just what I tried first and I didn't need to try anything else.)
 
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TheTooner said:
The EAL rifles were made from No.4 rifle actions. The No.4 rifle was designed with the rear sight mounted at the rear of the receiver to give a longer sighting plane than the No. 1Mk. III had with its rear sight mounted on the barrel forward of the receiver. And the No.4's rear sight is a peep sight because that is also better for most most users than the open rear sight of the No.1Mk.III. Troop trials showed most men shot better with the No. 4 than with the No.1 Mk.III. Some individuals do better with the latter, but chances are replacing your EAL's rear sight with a No.1Mk. III's will not improve your accuracy and certainly it will involve permanently altering the rifle in a way that will reduce it's value if you ever change your mind about selling it.

Your group at 100 metres or yards is not good. If it doesn't improve with a solid rest, it might improve if you clean for copper fouling. I bought a used rifle that keyholed rounds through the target at 25 yards. I cleaned it with Barnes CR10 and it produced reliable one inch groups at 100. (There are other products that many people say work better for copper, go ahead and try any of them, I'm sure CR10 isn't the only good thing, just what I tried first and I didn't need to try anything else.)
Click to expand...
Thanks for the information, I just gave the bore a quick clean when I picked it up, but will put some elbow grease in and try off a rest when I get a chance. I'll update the post with a shot of that group. Going to stay with the original sights.
 
tysonv686 said:
Thanks for the information, I just gave the bore a quick clean when I picked it up, but will put some elbow grease in and try off a rest when I get a chance. I'll update the post with a shot of that group. Going to stay with the original sights.
Click to expand...

Save the effort and use a good chemical cleaner that removes copper. I use Sweets, WipeOut and Hoppes Benchrest.

I see that your rifle has a peep sight. This is one of the real features and benefits of a #4 action. Accuracy will be better than any kind of open sight.

If you have not used a peep before, it may take a bit of getting used to, but it is an excellent sight.

Make sure the big screw just forward of the mag is tight, and shoot a group off a rest.
 
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Ganderite said:
Save the effort and use a good chemical cleaner that removes copper. I use Sweets, WipeOut and Hoppes Benchrest.

I see that your rifle has a peep sight. This is one of the real features and benefits of a #4 action. Accuracy will be better than any kind of open sight.

If you have not used a peep before, it may take a bit of getting used to, but it is an excellent sight.

Make sure the big screw just forward of the mag is tight, and shoot a group off a rest.
Click to expand...

Thanks, I haven't had much experience with a peep sight before, just means I've got a good excuse to go to the range more
 
tysonv686 said:
Off hand for the group. The fore stock is a tad loose right now, I went 10 for 10 with the gongs at 200m sitting at a table.
Click to expand...

I have no idea how big those gongs are but if it works for you, it works for me. Acceptable performance at any range is completely the opinion of the individual. Loose fore ends on sporting No4 rifles go with the territory. The EALs are nice little rifles. Thanks for sharing.
 
tysonv686 said:
Thanks for the information, I just gave the bore a quick clean when I picked it up, but will put some elbow grease in and try off a rest when I get a chance. I'll update the post with a shot of that group. Going to stay with the original sights.
Click to expand...

CR10 is good but Wipe Out is much quicker and easier. Cost is about the same. Wipe Out comes in two forms. One is in a plastic bottle and will clean close to a hundred firearms acceptably, the other is in a spray can which comes with a plastic tube to fit into the chamber and spray the foam down the bore. Let it sit for a few hours, come back and wipe it out. Make sure the muzzle stays pointed down and there is something to catch the drips which will be very dark blue and will stain a carpet and even some linos. That's from the copper dissolving. Won't damage the bore or any stock in my experience but there's always a first time.
 
Ganderite said:
Save the effort and use a good chemical cleaner that removes copper. I use Sweets, WipeOut and Hoppes Benchrest.

I see that your rifle has a peep sight. This is one of the real features and benefits of a #4 action. Accuracy will be better than any kind of open sight.

If you have not used a peep before, it may take a bit of getting used to, but it is an excellent sight.

Make sure the big screw just forward of the mag is tight, and shoot a group off a rest.
Click to expand...


Before making sure that screw (King Screw) is tight, take off the fore end, carefully, don't pry it from the tip but work it down by rocking it back and forth until it falls. At the Vernon Gun Show this weekend I inspected a half dozen sported No4 rifles that looked to be excellent. The fore end tips were touching the barrel. This usually indicates the spacer between the trigger guard and receiver, which goes through the stock at this point is missing and the ways (bedding) are being crushed. Until this situation is brought under control the rifles often will not be acceptably accurate.

Those ways can be repaired with a bit of work with new wood glued into place and shaped to fit, which is what I would do with an EAL but with a cut down, surplus No4 I would just glass bed the receiver area.

When using a "peep" sight, don't move your eye, once you are centered to get the front sight on target. Move the rifle instead until everything lines up accordingly. Common mistake that turns people off until they get informed on what the problem is. Then they love those sights after a bit of practice.
 
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