Knowledge on buying a Lee enfield

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rockymountain8

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Hello I am interested in buying a Lee Enfield to shoot with and would like some info on which of the variants would be best, from what I've found on the internet the best all rounder is the No 4 Mk1. And also what price point would be fair. Thanks
 
If you just want something to shoot, the sporterized Mk3s are widely available and can be found for $200-$300 (or less, depending on condition).
 
The rifles are solid and relatively Cheap BUT, One thing to consider is that the AMMO has become "Gold", going for ca $100 a box ! ! And that's for 'run-of-the mill' stuff. Do you reload ?
 
Buck1950 said:
The rifles are solid and relatively Cheap BUT, One thing to consider is that the AMMO has become "Gold", going for ca $100 a box ! ! And that's for 'run-of-the mill' stuff. Do you reload ?
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I can get ammo for $41 a box in my neck of the woods, pretty common where im at
 
I see some 'Euro-imports are in that price range. American ammo runs ca $60 UP at major vendors, plus shipping if you're not 'nearby'.
 
mcaswell said:
If you just want something to shoot, the sporterized Mk3s are widely available and can be found for $200-$300 (or less, depe
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A
mcaswell said:
If you just want something to shoot, the sporterized Mk3s are widely available and can be found for $200-$300 (or less, depending on condition).
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Are sporters recommended? Most of what I saw online said that sporter should be avoided.
 
rockymountain8 said:
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Are sporters recommended? Most of what I saw online said that sporter should be avoided.
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It depends what you're looking for. If you want the experience of an authentic-looking military rifle, then you'll want to shell out for the (considerably) higher priced non-sporters. If you just want something to shoot, the sporters can be great rifles.
 
rockymountain8 said:
No I don't reload since I only got my PAL laat week lol. I would try to buy in bulk once I do acquire the rifle.
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If you end up buying a LE try the 174gr PPU fmj, its seems to be the cheapest factory ammo available at the moment for plinking/range use. Can’t hunt with fmj’s, great brass if you ever do start handloading.
 
Rocky, Since you're looking at a 'used' rifle anyway I'd suggest you consider a 'modern' rifle in 308. The EE has some around your price range, you can get Bulk ammo for ca $1 / round and Many different loads for 308, a wider range of different bullets. I bought a 1960 Remington in 308 in excellent condition for ca $500, on the EE here. It depends on what you're looking for/at, as Mcaswell said.
 
mcaswell said:
It depends what you're looking for. If you want the experience of an authentic-looking military rifle, then you'll want to shell out for the (considerably) higher priced non-sporters. If you just want something to shoot, the sporters can be great rifles.
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Ok an authentic rifle is what I want so I'll just wait out. Thanks
 
rockymountain8 said:
Ok an authentic rifle is what I want so I'll just wait out. Thanks
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The .303 Lee Enfield is a lot of fun to shoot in original configurations. They have gotten a bit pricey in recent years. The original military load was a 174 grain. I was fortunate enough to get a few before the prices jumped. My favorite is the No. 5, the so called "jungle carbine". I've had no problem with the so called wandering zero. It's a great little rifle and I can hunt with it. Ammo isn't too scarce, but if you plan to shoot any amount you should consider reloading. You can buy 174 grain bullets quite reasonably priced.

Just a suggestion. I have a sporterized .303, a No. 4. These tend to be quite common, many are in decent shape, and prices tend to be reasonable. You could then shop around and buy the furniture for it and rebuild it as a project.
 
awesome to see a new shooter showing some love for the classics.
When I got into firearms and hunting I had my dad's sporterized BSA No1 MK3* that he bought before I was born at Simpson Sears. It was a utitlity firearm for him and just another tool in case he broke down travelling to and from the remote logging camps in his volkswagon beetle (true story LOL).
For me there is some nostalgia that comes with the lee enfield's history but overall I just came to really like the action and still hunt with one today, decades later.
My needs call for sporters but if you really like the rifles as more than just a shooting tools and are also in it for the history and nostalgia, I'd say save up for a nice full wood. Members here sell them from time to time and besides that there are "plenty" of guys here from the military surplus rifle crowd that can help guide your purchase.
Welcome to the club ;)
 
45ACPKING said:
awesome to see a new shooter showing some love for the classics.
When I got into firearms and hunting I had my dad's sporterized BSA No1 MK3* that he bought before I was born at Simpson Sears. It was a utitlity firearm for him and just another tool in case he broke down travelling to and from the remote logging camps in his volkswagon beetle (true story LOL).
For me there is some nostalgia that comes with the lee enfield's history but overall I just came to really like the action and still hunt with one today, decades later.
My needs call for sporters but if you really like the rifles as more than just a shooting tools and are also in it for the history and nostalgia, I'd say save up for a nice full wood. Members here sell them from time to time and besides that there are "plenty" of guys here from the military surplus rifle crowd that can help guide your purchase.
Welcome to the club ;)
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45ACPKING said:
awesome to see a new shooter showing some love for the classics.
When I got into firearms and hunting I had my dad's sporterized BSA No1 MK3* that he bought before I was born at Simpson Sears. It was a utitlity firearm for him and just another tool in case he broke down travelling to and from the remote logging camps in his volkswagon beetle (true story LOL).
For me there is some nostalgia that comes with the lee enfield's history but overall I just came to really like the action and still hunt with one today, decades later.
My needs call for sporters but if you really like the rifles as more than just a shooting tools and are also in it for the history and nostalgia, I'd say save up for a nice full wood. Members here sell them from time to time and besides that there are "plenty" of guys here from the military surplus rifle crowd that can help guide your purchase.
Welcome to the club ;)
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Thanks man. From what everyone has said I'm just gonna save and get a nice full wood rifle and potentially look into reloading.
 
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Parker Hale made a nice sporterized rifle. They used milsurp rifles and made a few versions at different price points
that catered to the market of the day. You could get a rifle that had cut down wood, or a version that was reblued
to a high polish and new checkered stock. I think they even supplied some with scope mounts.
Gunsmiths back in the day used to be able to buy rifles by the ton, or so i've heard, and there were some very good
sporterized conversions and some that make the kitchen table botch jobs look pretty good.
I can remember 20 odd years ago gun dealers were happy to be able to get rid of a Lee and get $50 for one.
It astounds me that the full wood guns are coming out of the woodwork and that they are goig for the prices that they
are at.
Reloading is a rabbit hole that is a whole nuther hobby that will consume your time and money. Save your brass and find a
mentor and get a bunch of manuals.

That being said, I will suggest that you find a nice sporter as your first gun and play around with it and either keep it, or trade it
off if you don't lik it. A full wood rifle is nice, but heavy. Too heavy to carry for a day of hunting
 
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