long branch No.4 MK 1*

[drae]

Good day all,

Im considering buying a long branch No.4 MK 1*. Which to me is always a goodthing, But here's the problem it looks to be a high production model meaning to speed up making these rifle's they cut down on parts and rifling( instead of 5 groove they went with 2groove). The bolt plunger release was omitted and a cut in the bolt guide rail on the reciever just before th breech replaced the bolt release.
My concern is how accurate is this type of rifling, I would assume that with lack of rifling twist the bullet would be prone to tumble then flying straight. Has anyone had experience with this type of rifle info would greatly appreciated.
regards
.303 nut drae

 

[tiriaq]

For all practical purposes there is no accuracy difference between 2 groove and five groove barrels. The rifling twist is the same in 2 and 5 groove barrels. Did you think that rifles would be made with barrels that would cause bullets to tumble? LB rifles with the I* modifications are the most common LBs. Mk. I LB rifles are rare, fewer than 20 000 of the 950 000 odd rifles made at LB. The Mk. I bolt release is mechanically superior, but in practical terms it doesn't make much difference.

 

[cosmic]

I'd be more concerned about the condition of the barrel, than the rifling spec. In the world of Lee Enfields, shootability and rifle value are strongly affected by barrel wear/corrosion. Have a good look at the bore from the breech end - there are a lot of these old rifles kicking around with pooched bores.

 

[SKScanuck]

The mods to the bolt release are the way they built them.

I have a two groove and it shoots just as accurate if not more than my 5 groove.

Slug the barrel and check out the width of the lands...it impressed me.

 

[stencollector]

You have to watch the back edge of the cut out for the mk1* type rifles. They are subject to chipping or breakage which can cause the bolt head to pop up when you are cocking it. But, as mentioned already, it was the most common type in Canadian service, and if accuracy or general reliability were issues, the military would not have approved of the changes.