Since the days of inexpensive, unmodified/sporterized Enfields is increasingly becoming a thing of the past, I suggest that you keep your eyes open for any No.1Mklll, No.4 or No.5 Enfields that come on the market in decent condition and buy them while you can. All original, all numbers matching are the most collectable, though many refurbished (FTR or Factory Through Repair) rifles can be more practical for someone interested in a shooting/hunting rifle. The rifles refurbed in India and Pakistan usually have a dreaded "Ishy Screw" put through the forend to reinforce it, often have the original numbers/manufacturers scrubbed, and less attractive wood, but some of them can still shoot very well. I think that a few dealers have some of them in the mid three hundred range, or about the price of many Russian Capture Mausers. The savings between purchasing a milsurp over a used hunting rifle are diminishing, so you might pay more for one than a used 30/30lever gun, but the .303 British is a more potent round anyhow, and the nostalgic appeal just cannot be beat. You may have a preference for the peep over the open sights of a No1, but they all work fine.
If you're having trouble finding a good original, consider picking up a sporterized Enfield for cheap in the meantime to familiarize yourself with these rifles and the cartridge that they shoot. If you take a close look at the originals, you should also be able to tell if a sporter can be restored to like original condition. I, for instance, have collected the parts to restore a sporter that a friend of my landlord showed me a few months ago. Presuming that I'll be able to acquire it over the next few weeks, the total outlay for a sporterized Long Branch and the parts to restore it will cost me two hundred and change, which is considerably less than what an unmodified original would go for.
I have an Indian and Australian No1mk3*, a Maltby No4mk1 and two No5 Jungle carbines (one with the Ishy Screw). They all shoot fine, even the Australian Lithgow with a very rough bore that I thought would never hit anything. By reloading cast bullets I've been able to make it somewhat affordable to shoot them and was able to tailor bullets to the bore diameters of a generous Jungle Carbine that now shoots like a dream.
So long as you're not paying anything outlandish, I'd say to get what you can find while they're available and start enjoying your very own piece of history!
Good Luck,
Frank
