Enfield vs Modern Rifles

[hansol]

A mauser over my enfield? No thank you. I can at least buy ammo for my enfield from the local walmart.

And the rimmed case isn't all that bad, once you figure out what is going on. I prefer it, as it makes headspacing one less thing to worry about. In fact, now that I think of it, all my rifles use rimmed cartridges...

 

[Win/64]

since when does poor winter performance and wear on small parts solve problems?

Poor winter performance? Come on.

 

[ilovepotatos]

since when does poor winter performance and wear on small parts solve problems?

The Enfield was not used in great enough numbers to know how it would react to the worst Russian winter in 100 years. Not a strong enough argument against the Mauser.

And since when does the Mauser have wear on small parts? I have one that has seen close to 1000 rounds...and god knows how many more since it was made in 1939...it's working just fine to this day, thank you very much.

 

[ilovepotatos]

A mauser over my enfield? No thank you. I can at least buy ammo for my enfield from the local walmart.

And the rimmed case isn't all that bad, once you figure out what is going on. I prefer it, as it makes headspacing one less thing to worry about. In fact, now that I think of it, all my rifles use rimmed cartridges...

Since you brought up headspacing, it is a problem that is simply non-existent with Mausers. Their are maybe a few out there that might have a bit of a gap, but the Mauser is such a safe rifle to operate to begin with.

 

[smellie]

no headspacing problems with Mausers?

REally?????

Then you can just swap bolts around like with M-14s and it doesn't matter?????

A Mauser, like any other rifle, has to be fitted or else you WILL have problems. Too little headspace and you can't chamber a round. Too much headspace and the case-head is hanging in mid-air. Of course, you can't SEE it..... until you pull the trigger. THEN you'll see it.... when the case-head separates and a whole bunch of 50,000 psi gas comes backward through the action.

Mausers AS SET UP at their respective factories have few headspace problems UNLESS the rifle has had an excessive number of rounds through it OR has been at the mercies of some dolt......., and a lot of them have.

Always check. Just easier TO check with a Lee-Enfield.

 

[jcbruno]

There are so many bubbaed $50 Enfields out there, it'll make your head spin. Pick up one of them.

+1 on the Enfield. Two World Wars and then some, in action all over the world, there's no rifle test that can compare to that.

you forgot the mauser

 

[Timberlord]

This fall will be my 36th year with my Longbranch for hunting , my Grandad used it before me.
I bring a back-up rifle when I go north for deer hunting , but I've never had to use it . The good ol' LB has seen alot and it's gonna see alot more yet.
The last Whitetail buck I shot , dropped so fast , I bet he still don't know he's dead yet.

 

[fat tony]

My main hunting rifle is a 1915 smle #1 mkIII. Sporterized in the '50's. It's seen countless abuses, but yes I do my best to keep her clean and free of damage. Point is- already bubba, mil spec tough, floated and bedded, good scope, 1.5 moa at 100yrds, any weather, any time. I hand load the ammo, next is a trigger job and a barrel re-crown. Is it as nice or flat as my buddies stainless on black rem 700-300 win mag, no, but it didn't cost me a paycheck, I don't cry when it gets a little scratch, and sub -moa is only good from a bench. If you are hunting and can shoot from position 2 moa is fine 1"-1.5 moa is perfect. I have yet to drop a critter and go "ahw man, I could have shot .5" lower!" That is all crap!, With a 1 shot 1 kill mentality and practice I don't care if my big game rifle will clover leaf. Any thing inside 300 yrds, with a good shot, will drop when hit by a .303 Brit.

Keep your good Enfield, sell your SKS, and find a good "sporter" or bubba Enfield for hunting, give it a hug, and you'll never be disapointed.

Hannibal, what kind of scope base are you using? Regards FT.

 

[ilovepotatos]

Almost all mausers on the market today ARE mismatched bolts, and nearly all of them function flawlessly. I fail to see where these headspacing problems are.

If you could find someone posting on CGN about such problems, I would love to see it.

Otherwise, no dice.

no headspacing problems with Mausers?

REally?????

Then you can just swap bolts around like with M-14s and it doesn't matter?????

A Mauser, like any other rifle, has to be fitted or else you WILL have problems. Too little headspace and you can't chamber a round. Too much headspace and the case-head is hanging in mid-air. Of course, you can't SEE it..... until you pull the trigger. THEN you'll see it.... when the case-head separates and a whole bunch of 50,000 psi gas comes backward through the action.

Mausers AS SET UP at their respective factories have few headspace problems UNLESS the rifle has had an excessive number of rounds through it OR has been at the mercies of some dolt......., and a lot of them have.

Always check. Just easier TO check with a Lee-Enfield.

 

[smellie]

Yes, and most of them have been checked with gauges.

Mauser bolts often will work okay, but anyone who has been shooting for any time will have seen problems.

Remember all those Santa Barbara Mauser/PH rifles that one of the chain stores brought in about 30 years ago. There are STILL problems with them!

Bolts in Mausers MUST be fitted. Serial numbering doesn't matter, but FIT does.

 

[300Spartans]

#4 Long Branch Lee Enfield wins Grand Aggregate Winona Sept. 2003,against M1's, 98K 's, M-14's and even $2000 Colt AR-15 with optics! Plus many others.
Mark, thanks I drink beer from that trophy,ha ha ha.
The Lee Enfield rifles are inheritly accurate, can be tuned to be more accurate. They can take a beating, ask a Ranger, or an allied combat Vet. . They are made of Steel and Hardwood, not alloy or plastic!
At the risk of blowing my horn, after my 3rd. beer, I will stand behind a good Lee Enfield in combat and in International Service competition! There are only a few of the perhaps hundreds of rifles in the last century, that I have this much confidence in.
AR's, Rem 700, Win 70, Augs and other big names, very accurate, but whimps!
Ak's FNFAL, G3 tough, but not that accurate.
The Lee Enfield, very fast bolt action plus what I already stated is about the best or near best.
Anyone dare to argue?

No, I won't argue. Instead, I congratulate you on a fine post.

 

[Riflechair]

Do you really believe a any modern CNC milled rifle would last the same 70 years and still be an accurate shooter?

If the answer is no then you know the enfield wins.

 

[Dave from Alberta]

I bought one of the AIA Improved Enfields. It's actually a really nice gun at the range and in the bush. The teak dents a little more easily than walnut, but overall I have really enjoyed owning it. And firing mil surp .308 is definately a bonus.

 

[Sticker]

A mauser over my enfield? No thank you. I can at least buy ammo for my enfield from the local walmart.

I don't know WTF you are talking about. Israeli Mausers are in .308 WIN.
Norwegian mausers are in .30-06

Better calibers and better factory ammo then .303 Brit. (And walmart has it also)

Especialy since American ammo makers download the performance of the .303 cartridge.

 

[Dave from Alberta]

Actually, there has been quite a few times when Canadian Tire has been out of .308 but have several boxes of .303 Brit on the shelves. I have to drive all the way to Edmonton to buy Mil Surp .308

 

[hansol]

Rimmed is always better

 

[Andy]

Do you really believe a any modern CNC milled rifle would last the same 70 years and still be an accurate shooter?

If the answer is no then you know the enfield wins.

I say it would, if for 65 of those years it was either in storage or used sparingly and carefully at the range, like the vast majority of the Enfields.

 

[Win/64]

Do you really believe a any modern CNC milled rifle would last the same 70 years and still be an accurate shooter?

If the answer is no then you know the enfield wins.

My 1899 7x57 still shoots 1 1/2" groups. Guess the Mauser wins.

 

[John Sukey]

Well - A typical modern rifle is capable of greater accuracy than the typical LE. I'm not knocking the LE, but the two piece stock, and sloppy chambering/feed, are limiting.
However, its not clear whether you reload or not. To get the best rewards out of an accurate rifle, reloading is essential. Also, a fibreglass stock would best retain dimensionality/accuracy under tough conditions. Couple that with a stainless barrel, and you'ver got a rifle that it quite impervious to the elements (Some would say moreso than the LE)

That two piece stock is used on a lot of sporting rifles. Claiming that it's a defect is just plain silly.

 

[fat tony]

It's interesting I find that the Lithgow SMLE # 1 MK III*'s had to have carefully fitted copper, aluminum or walnut recoil plates in it's "inferior" 2 piece stock yet today while watching my friend take down his Poly Technologies M14 I noted roughly similar steel "recoil plates" in the USGI stock.