First deer rifle - Stevens 200 or Lee Enfield Sporter?
- Thread starter lord-humungous
- Start date
I also went through the same thought process a while back, and settled on a beautiful Parker-Hale/BSA Enfield bought from the EE. It is twice the gun of a generic sporter, with a Parker Hale Barrel (with flip up open sight), Stainless Bolt, flush 5-rnd mag, and a nice one-piece scope mount. Came with a nice Weaver K3, but I upgraded to a classic Weaver V2.5-7 wide angle ($90 on ebay) to improve the magnification, but keep it classic and period-correct. I'll put the K3 on an old .22 next.
The ultimate question I asked myself was this; Did I want a reliable new sedan, or a classic cruiser.
1. New models like the Stevens, or a Mossberg 4x4, etc. are going to shoot pretty well, be relatively reliable, have cheaper ammo, but be plastic and boring and common.
2. The nicer custom Enfields are true works of art, and very unique. I would have no problem with safety in a clean PH, BSA, or other factory conversion, and they have a classic-car-like cool factor (over 100 year old design after all). I get plenty of shocked and positive comments from buddies who handle and shoot mine and compare them to thier own cheap deer guns. Something comforting about the extra weight that comes from all steel parts.
I can't say I would reccomend a cheap sporter over a new Stevens though. Too many potential problems or needs, that once fixed can drive the price up to equal or more than the newer models.
The ultimate question I asked myself was this; Did I want a reliable new sedan, or a classic cruiser.
1. New models like the Stevens, or a Mossberg 4x4, etc. are going to shoot pretty well, be relatively reliable, have cheaper ammo, but be plastic and boring and common.
2. The nicer custom Enfields are true works of art, and very unique. I would have no problem with safety in a clean PH, BSA, or other factory conversion, and they have a classic-car-like cool factor (over 100 year old design after all). I get plenty of shocked and positive comments from buddies who handle and shoot mine and compare them to thier own cheap deer guns. Something comforting about the extra weight that comes from all steel parts.
I can't say I would reccomend a cheap sporter over a new Stevens though. Too many potential problems or needs, that once fixed can drive the price up to equal or more than the newer models.
huh?
Nonsense
Compared to a .338Lapua maybe...
Even with 180gr bullets at 2300fps the .303 allows for easy point blank aiming on a deer size heart/lung area out to 200m or a little more. With a 150gr at 2600fps that extends slightly. Any mildly competant rifleman can take hunting shots at 250m with a .303.
Of course a .303 is not the flattest laser-beam going (nor is a .30-06) but for reasonable hunting ranges it has a totally sufficient trajectory. Of course a .30-06 offers more versatility and Stevens 200 is a great low-cost rifle without the attendent potential scoping and trigger issues that some LE's may have, but if one has a .303 that will shoot well, its a very servicable hunting rig with a record to match.
Nonsense
Compared to a .338Lapua maybe...
Even with 180gr bullets at 2300fps the .303 allows for easy point blank aiming on a deer size heart/lung area out to 200m or a little more. With a 150gr at 2600fps that extends slightly. Any mildly competant rifleman can take hunting shots at 250m with a .303.
Of course a .303 is not the flattest laser-beam going (nor is a .30-06) but for reasonable hunting ranges it has a totally sufficient trajectory. Of course a .30-06 offers more versatility and Stevens 200 is a great low-cost rifle without the attendent potential scoping and trigger issues that some LE's may have, but if one has a .303 that will shoot well, its a very servicable hunting rig with a record to match.
Keep in mind a lot of those record were set by rifles regularly serviced every few months by military armourers.
And the various sporting version made by great companies such as Parker Hale etc.
Sadly the vast majority are bubba jobs with a lot of problems, so they can be hit or miss as far as quality and performance is concerned.
Been there done that.
I have a sportized 303, inherited from my Dad, hasn't fired a round in 25 years, and the round he gave me were made by Dominion, with nylon tips (does somebody recognize the age here). My local gunsmith checked it out before I shot it and was doing a couple of inches MOA at 100yds. Bought some new ammo, 15 rounds at the range, and then went out and took my first deer, iron sights and all. I'm not that good a shot, in heavy bush it was only 50 yards, maybe less. I love it, has sentimental value, but if I were to buy my first gun, it would be new.
Globe firearms ltd converted quite a few old british 303 to the sportized version, looks just like the Parker Hale version (long time ago), I brought one as my first hunting rifle, still have it today, great rifle, it even has a No.3 bolt head installed. Very accurate within 100 yards.
I got myself a Lee Enfield....
Just got to go to ranges to zero the 2.5x scope.....
I saw this one on EE but you had snatched it up already!!!! What a great deal and a nice LE! Congrats!
What are the benfits of 30-06? I was thinking either .270 or .308 if I went with the Stevens. Reason: .270 for lighter recoil or .308 for popularity (can buy it at CT). I hadn't considered 30-06 before. Outdoors Canada has a bit in their Hunting Issue where they poll a bunch of outfitters and 30-06 was a choice "one gun" calibre.
Also, LeBarons has a nice looking Stevens 200 in 30-06 with camo finish and scope installed for $400 something. Seemed like a decent deal...
Also, LeBarons has a nice looking Stevens 200 in 30-06 with camo finish and scope installed for $400 something. Seemed like a decent deal...
Thanks lord-humungous, it was a very good deal.....
Now just waiting for the Deer season....
