Whats available in 303 british????????????
- Thread starter bros
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Yes, getting a M1917 converted to .303British would be a lot of work compared to buying a P14 Enfield which was originally manufactured in .303British.
The most recent new manufacture of rifles in this calibre were almost certainly the Lee Enfield No4 Mk2s by the Royal Ordnance Factory (ROF) Fazackerley in the early to middle 1950s and subsequently by Pakistan Ordnance Factory which bought the tooling when the ROF Faz was shut down. Some of the ROF Faz production went straight off the production line into war reserve stores and sat unused for decades before being sold off as surplus, still in the cosmoline and factory wrap. I haven't heard of any POF rifles never used like that, but you occasionally see those Faz rifles offered for sale still factory wrapped. But they are a relatively expensive hunting rifle because although build quality was good and they can shoot very well, certainly good enough for most hunting, modern commercial hunting rifles that are better for hunting can be had brand new for not a lot more than half what a collectible piece like those Lee Enfields commands, and as soon as you unwrap the No.4 and start shooting it you depreciate the price a fair bit.
The most recent new manufacture of rifles in this calibre were almost certainly the Lee Enfield No4 Mk2s by the Royal Ordnance Factory (ROF) Fazackerley in the early to middle 1950s and subsequently by Pakistan Ordnance Factory which bought the tooling when the ROF Faz was shut down. Some of the ROF Faz production went straight off the production line into war reserve stores and sat unused for decades before being sold off as surplus, still in the cosmoline and factory wrap. I haven't heard of any POF rifles never used like that, but you occasionally see those Faz rifles offered for sale still factory wrapped. But they are a relatively expensive hunting rifle because although build quality was good and they can shoot very well, certainly good enough for most hunting, modern commercial hunting rifles that are better for hunting can be had brand new for not a lot more than half what a collectible piece like those Lee Enfields commands, and as soon as you unwrap the No.4 and start shooting it you depreciate the price a fair bit.
- Location
- Somewhere on the Hudson Bay Coast
If the Ruger deal works out, I think there will be many sitting on the fence who will kick their butts for not jumping in. From the looks of things, I'll be one of them; I'm just not a .303 fan (perhaps I should say I not a .312" bore fan) and I don't need yet another 30 caliber rifle to load for.
In a strong, rigid action, the 303 British is a ballistic twin to the 308 Winchester. The larger bore/groove theoretically should allow slightly higher velocities for a given powder charge, but that is a rather moot point. I, for one, would love to own a #1 Ruger in 303 British. The 303 has a long and colorful history, and has played a vital part in the development of Canada over the past 100+ years. Regards, Eagleye.
rooster22
CGN Regular
That said my Father's arm of choice is his 303 infield, in mint condtion I might add. The 303 iinfield in some spectrals it is considered one of the all around big game rilfes, for hitting and long distance accuracy. I do know some people that won't hunt with an infield reason being only becsause it was made for war not to hunt, I don't hold that opinion myself.
It is good to see a little discussion surrounding the old .303. I have become quite familiar with this round since joining the Canadian Rangers about 10 years ago. The enfield is the rifle issued to the rangers, and we do shoot them throughout the year, often in a competition setting. I have certainly fired more .303 rounds than all other center-fires combined!
Actually, you can make a pretty nice 303 out of the Martini-Enfield. I have 3 of them that were made in 303. If memory serves, when the 303 was first developed (in black powder) it was for the 303 Martini-Enfiled.
These have wonderful triggers. One could take off the military wood, install custom wood and have a nice rifle without having to bubba the rifle. Think of it as the great grandfather of the Ruger #1.
These have wonderful triggers. One could take off the military wood, install custom wood and have a nice rifle without having to bubba the rifle. Think of it as the great grandfather of the Ruger #1.
BrotherRockeye
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Rural Saskatchewan
my first deer fell to a .303 from the barrel of the rifle my Uncle carried overseas...
wish it was still around
wish it was still around
The ultimate is in building yourself a 303 Brit is to find one of the handfull specially made Mauser actions, I have been looking for 17 years, still no luck so I settled for a Canadian built Ross 1910 sporter, pick one up there great. Anybodies only chance to own a factory modern 303 is with thr Ruger order if all goes alright, Best of luck Dale
303
Try and pick up a churchill or parker hale sporter No3 or No4. Great little guns,like new to new barrels in most of them. Buy some extra enfield magazines and you are good to go. I bought a few of these and I wish I had bought more when they were cheap because no one wanted them.
A company in England makes a No4 conversion kit that converts 303 to 223. This would be something to consider for small game.
The Ruger idea, I would think one should consider the Ruger No 3 rifle in 303 british. I have one in 223 and it is a great little carbine....same size as a martini-enfield 303........
Try and pick up a churchill or parker hale sporter No3 or No4. Great little guns,like new to new barrels in most of them. Buy some extra enfield magazines and you are good to go. I bought a few of these and I wish I had bought more when they were cheap because no one wanted them.
A company in England makes a No4 conversion kit that converts 303 to 223. This would be something to consider for small game.
The Ruger idea, I would think one should consider the Ruger No 3 rifle in 303 british. I have one in 223 and it is a great little carbine....same size as a martini-enfield 303........
Hasn't stopped manufacturers yet. Look at the cartridges available that don't do anything better than existing cartridges.
A very few examples:
300 WSM vs .30-06 & 300 WM
.30/30 vs 32 Special
204 Ruger vs 223 & 22-250
30 TC vs 308 & 30-06
308 vs 30-06
7mm-08 vs .308
None of the above out perform their competitors enough to be truly considered a significant improvement. Yet they sell. All personal choice!
If the truth be told, a 22 LR, a 12ga and a .30-06 would pretty much be all a hunter/shooter would "need", yet look at the ammo counter at the local gun shop and count the different cartridges "stocked'. Or look in your safe and do the same. Personal choice/preference.
I suspect some folks will pipe in that "the 308 is a better choice than the 30-06" and "a 20 ga will work as good as a 12 but lighter", etc.
Again personal choice!
