Most Accurate Enfield No4
- Thread starter Dave.S
- Start date
Interesting question !
... Considering this is a Canadian site, naturally there's more interest in the "Longbranches" than any other manufactures. That being said, it's not unreasonable to assume that the quality of the steel/metallurgy of the Longbranch No4s was superior to other No.4s. Made without the interruptions of Air raids and uncertain supplies. I would also assume that to a lesser, perhaps, extent, the Savage No.4 rifles would have had a high quality of materials as well. ..... as to accuracy, well, that depends on the individual rifle to a large extent, but the average rifle, that would be an interesting subject for unbiased research! And I doubt that there would be any conclusive answers! Even the debate of 2 "groove" rifling vs 6 "groove", shows no definitive advantage. ..... Bear in mind, the "T" (Sniper) rifles, were 'selected", so fall outside of the average Enfield No4. ..... David K.
... Considering this is a Canadian site, naturally there's more interest in the "Longbranches" than any other manufactures. That being said, it's not unreasonable to assume that the quality of the steel/metallurgy of the Longbranch No4s was superior to other No.4s. Made without the interruptions of Air raids and uncertain supplies. I would also assume that to a lesser, perhaps, extent, the Savage No.4 rifles would have had a high quality of materials as well. ..... as to accuracy, well, that depends on the individual rifle to a large extent, but the average rifle, that would be an interesting subject for unbiased research! And I doubt that there would be any conclusive answers! Even the debate of 2 "groove" rifling vs 6 "groove", shows no definitive advantage. ..... Bear in mind, the "T" (Sniper) rifles, were 'selected", so fall outside of the average Enfield No4. ..... David K.
Well it's not a No4 but still and Enfield so...
It's not mine
It's one I refurbished for a good friend and for which I (probably reasonably) properly bedded the stock. It's (I think) a 1939 Lithgow No1 Mk3* with perfect bore.
Lou
It's not mine
It's one I refurbished for a good friend and for which I (probably reasonably) properly bedded the stock. It's (I think) a 1939 Lithgow No1 Mk3* with perfect bore.Lou
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I havn't shot an "accurate" Enfield yet but would like one .Even scoped 3" groups at 100 yards.Squirreled away about 1000 range brass just in case one shows up.............................Too bad they don't make combo or single shot guns in .303 like NEF or H+R........................Harold
MOA Maltby
My first enfield was a '42 maltby that is a tack driver, all holes touching at 50m with the load I made up, and next i will be trying the same load at 100 and 200m. I think with these guys, it really depends on a combination of ammo and bedding, kind of a black magic to it. By contrast, the same rifle with even a different powder was printing 3 inch groups at 50m!
My first enfield was a '42 maltby that is a tack driver, all holes touching at 50m with the load I made up, and next i will be trying the same load at 100 and 200m. I think with these guys, it really depends on a combination of ammo and bedding, kind of a black magic to it. By contrast, the same rifle with even a different powder was printing 3 inch groups at 50m!
Harold there are lots of single shot 303Brits out there. They're called Martin-Enfields. Very nice rifles and a bit pricier than a Lee Enfield.
Most Lee Enfields, can shoot very well, as long as their bores are in good shape etc.
bearhunter
Most Lee Enfields, can shoot very well, as long as their bores are in good shape etc.
bearhunter
Don't get me wrong I like the cartridge but havn;t shot a keeper yet.I was under the impression Martini-Henry's had Metford[usually shot out rifling] or Punjab/Afghan homemade contraptions.Nepal may have released a few lately?Would like a MKIV /Win P-14 or Win 95.The $$$$ of a new barrel is more than the gun.......no one wants to work for less than $100/hr on guns.Shot out P-14's make a nice bushgun rebored to .303/.338 and 200gr bullets..........Harold
It all comes down to the tube and a properly bedded action. I don't think any particular manufacturer is inherently more accurate than the next.
I can shoot 18" groups out to 700 yards with my 1964 Ishapore SMLE for example. However this rifle has a brand new barrel. My 1950 CNo4Mk1* shoots about the same and it was match tuned, glass bedded and free floated by a regimental armourer. It probably has in the neighborhood of 10,000 rounds through the tube. I can personally vouch for about 3,000 rounds on that rifle myself accrued over many many years. Come to think about it its high time I rebedded that rifle.
I can shoot 18" groups out to 700 yards with my 1964 Ishapore SMLE for example. However this rifle has a brand new barrel. My 1950 CNo4Mk1* shoots about the same and it was match tuned, glass bedded and free floated by a regimental armourer. It probably has in the neighborhood of 10,000 rounds through the tube. I can personally vouch for about 3,000 rounds on that rifle myself accrued over many many years. Come to think about it its high time I rebedded that rifle.
I have found almost no difference in accuracy between a 1942 Maltby two groove, and a 1953 Fazakerly No.4 Mk.2 five groove. Both are capable of 1 1/2 inch groups at 100 yards. Both will hit the 600 yard gong every time. It all comes down to barrel condition and proper bedding. Once, I took the advice of an "expert" and free floated a No.4. My group size increased to 4"! Don't do it! Also stick with rifles with matching # bolts. If only one lug is touching, accuracy will be non existant, and the rifle could be dangerous.
