Lee Enfield Mark III .303 British

M

MackDaddy

Guest
I noticed a Lee Enfield Mark III .303 British for sale on these boards earlier today and jumped on it. Price was $230 shipped. It has a black synthetic stock on it.

Can someone tell me more about this line of rifles? Are they any good for a day at the range or plinking? My friends and I often will shoot stuff such as apples, cans, bottles, etc...

I know that its much more powerfull then a .22 LR and .223 that I'm use to shooting but how are the ballistics compared to the .308 for example?

Here's a picture of it;

**Image and video linking functions will be enabled after you have contributed more to the forum**
 
Last edited:
I saw that one too Mac, I would have liked it. I've heard they're great rifles, lotsa kick and lotsa power. Although the ammo is a bit expense to plink with... You're going to have to let me shoot a magazine's worth haha.
 
SeamusMac said:
I saw that one too Mac, I would have liked it. I've heard they're great rifles, lotsa kick and lotsa power. Although the ammo is a bit expense to plink with... You're going to have to let me shoot a magazine's worth haha.
Click to expand...

I inquired on the ammo and its about $20 for a brick of 20 so yah, about $1 per round. Its not cheap but I'd use it on bigger stuff, I can't see myself shooting this rifle all day because of its kick, power, noise and ammo cost. Should be fun though!
 
Ever consider reloading? I don't know much about it but I know it can save a bundle. I'm even considering it for cheapo .223 cartridges haha.
 
Recoil is similar to 30-06 with my No1MKIII, also, don't shoot too fast with it, the barrel is quite thin and will heat up quickly, and it might shorten the rifling's life if you shoot alot quickly.

For plinking, I'd reccomend Igman cartridges if you can find them, they're from Eastern Europe (can't say exactly where), non corrosive, pretty accurate, suitable for hunting too (they're soft points), and quite cheap (I got them for 11$ per box of 20)
 
Igman ammo from the former Yugoslavia, not as nice as the Privi Partizan ammo but it goes bang and its cheaper and good enough for hunting. I think Igman is made in Bosnia.

As for the rifle well if you posted this question on the Milsurp forum you would get a pile of responses. Pricewise, your paying a premium for the synthetic stock, it by itself is worth more then the rifle.

.303 is good for shooting almost everyting, I would not take it out hunting grizley as I have better rifles for that but if its all you had I would not worry to much just make the shot count. Moose, deer, elk no problems.

I have over a dozzen enfields myself mostly I try to get them in full wood military configuration, but I have a few in sporterized configuration.

Have fun shooting it, oh and check out the link below

http://www.telusplanet.net/public/philqgbr/enfield.html
 
PoFF said:
Recoil is similar to 30-06 with my No1MKIII, also, don't shoot too fast with it, the barrel is quite thin and will heat up quickly, and it might shorten the rifling's life if you shoot alot quickly.

For plinking, I'd reccomend Igman cartridges if you can find them, they're from Eastern Europe (can't say exactly where), non corrosive, pretty accurate, suitable for hunting too (they're soft points), and quite cheap (I got them for 11$ per box of 20)
Click to expand...

We found that the Igman 180 grain ammo is pretty hot for some of the Enfields that we shot it in.
It is fine in my Sporterized No.4 but my factory Long Branch shows some pressure signs with it.
Cat
 
You mentioned noise while shooting. I hope you're wearing ear plugs or shooting muffs. If so please disregard. It's just that when I first started out, I didn't, paying for it now. bearhunter
 
enfields are kickass man. They are powerful, can drop anything and the open sites on them are kickass. There is no need for a scope. Point and shoot. Keep it reasonable though 100-200yrds max with out scope.

You actually beat me to it. I was going to buy that rifle when my PAL came in ;) all good, I've got one lined up locally now.
Have fun with it!

PS.
For the money, a enfield done up right can smoke top dollar rifles! I am amazed that a quality rifle sells so cheap. I know you can pick them up for as low as 60 bucks bubba'd but you got yourself a 70 dollar stock/buttstock and everything is claimed to be in great condition. So I think you did alright, maybe paid a few bucks too much but it doesn't matter when it comes to a quality enfield for hunting :)
 
Last edited:
northwoodslivin said:
enfields are kickass man. They are powerful, can drop anything and the open sites on them are kickass. There is no need for a scope. Point and shoot. Keep it reasonable though 100-200yrds max with out scope.

You actually beat me to it. I was going to buy that rifle when my PAL came in ;) all good, I've got one lined up locally now.
Have fun with it!

PS.
For the money, a enfield done up right can smoke top dollar rifles! I am amazed that a quality rifle sells so cheap. I know you can pick them up for as low as 60 bucks bubba'd but you got yourself a 70 dollar stock/buttstock and everything is claimed to be in great condition. So I think you did alright, maybe paid a few bucks too much but it doesn't matter when it comes to a quality enfield for hunting :)
Click to expand...

For hunting , yes , but in a precision match ( which this forum is) the Enfield is not there, unlesss you are talking about a Jim Duggan /Joe Gebault type of customized rig for irons matches.
The a set of sights is worth more than you would pay for most Enfield rifles....

Cat
 
The secret to getting boatloads of fun with a Lee-Enfield is to shoot cast bullets. Cheap, accurate, lower recoil, easier cleaning, loads more rounds down range, hit steel targets closer. But if you're not already geared up for bullet casting and reloading some time and expense to get into it.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom