Lee Enfield .303 British?
#1
Fork Horn
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Saskatchewan, Canada
Posts: 154
Lee Enfield .303 British?
I came across a Lee Enfield in .303 British today in Good to Very Good condition. The owner said it must have been sitting in a closet for 50 or 60 years! [8D] He only wants $100CDN ($85USD) for it...maybe even less.
I don't know the model # offhand but are the actions on these old Enfields strong enough for modern ammo? It's inexpensive but I intend to shoot it so I want to be sure it's safe.
I can get the model # on Monday and post it.
I don't know the model # offhand but are the actions on these old Enfields strong enough for modern ammo? It's inexpensive but I intend to shoot it so I want to be sure it's safe.
I can get the model # on Monday and post it.
#3
RE: Lee Enfield .303 British?
If I had a need for a .303, I'd buy it. My friend has a couple .303's and all he shoots is remington(?) ammo. His dad has dropped 2 moose with it. Hope this helps,
Cory
Cory
#4
Fork Horn
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Saskatchewan, Canada
Posts: 154
RE: Lee Enfield .303 British?
I don't have a need for it either...that's the last thing on my mind. Maybe a few trips to the range w/ it and that's it. The thing is, I've been humming and hawing about starting a military rifle collection for years and thought this would be an inexpensive way to get started.
#5
RE: Lee Enfield .303 British?
Great rifles. I can't say anything bad about them.
If its full stocked and the rear sight is in front of the receiver its a SMLE or N01 MKIII
If its full stocked and has the rear sight behind the receiver its a No4 variant.
Those above are the most common types, though there are a lot of jungle carbines out there too.
If its full stocked and the rear sight is in front of the receiver its a SMLE or N01 MKIII
If its full stocked and has the rear sight behind the receiver its a No4 variant.
Those above are the most common types, though there are a lot of jungle carbines out there too.
#6
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Western Nebraska
Posts: 3,393
RE: Lee Enfield .303 British?
I wouldn't buy a gun because the price is right. It must also be something I want.
South of the border it's not very popular and I'd let it stay in the closet another couple centuries.
You (canadians eh?) seem to have a penchant for the .303s and indeed they're powerful enough for a lot of hunting. I wouldn't say the action is strong nor is there anything attractive about them but they'll handle the factory loads and handloads that are "per the book" and put moose and such in the freezer.
Personally there's a few reasonably priced rifles (savage-Stevens) rifles availavle and for the slight extra cost I'd get a better cartridge (.30-06 etc) and a strong bolt to handle good handloads.
That's my $.02 worth.
South of the border it's not very popular and I'd let it stay in the closet another couple centuries.
You (canadians eh?) seem to have a penchant for the .303s and indeed they're powerful enough for a lot of hunting. I wouldn't say the action is strong nor is there anything attractive about them but they'll handle the factory loads and handloads that are "per the book" and put moose and such in the freezer.
Personally there's a few reasonably priced rifles (savage-Stevens) rifles availavle and for the slight extra cost I'd get a better cartridge (.30-06 etc) and a strong bolt to handle good handloads.
That's my $.02 worth.
#7
RE: Lee Enfield .303 British?
ORIGINAL: mistahmojoryan
I don't have a need for it either...that's the last thing on my mind. Maybe a few trips to the range w/ it and that's it. The thing is, I've been humming and hawing about starting a military rifle collection for years and thought this would be an inexpensive way to get started.
I don't have a need for it either...that's the last thing on my mind. Maybe a few trips to the range w/ it and that's it. The thing is, I've been humming and hawing about starting a military rifle collection for years and thought this would be an inexpensive way to get started.
Cory
#9
RE: Lee Enfield .303 British?
ORIGINAL: mistahmojoryan
hehe, if it was a Mauser for 100 bones we wouldn't be having this conversation...and I'd have a new rifle!
hehe, if it was a Mauser for 100 bones we wouldn't be having this conversation...and I'd have a new rifle!
#10
RE: Lee Enfield .303 British?
South of the border it's not very popular and I'd let it stay in the closet another couple centuries.
You (canadians eh?) seem to have a penchant for the .303s and indeed they're powerful enough for a lot of hunting. I wouldn't say the action is strong nor is there anything attractive about them but they'll handle the factory loads and handloads that are "per the book" and put moose and such in the freezer.
You (canadians eh?) seem to have a penchant for the .303s and indeed they're powerful enough for a lot of hunting. I wouldn't say the action is strong nor is there anything attractive about them but they'll handle the factory loads and handloads that are "per the book" and put moose and such in the freezer.
Americans don't usually see much value in the enfield, but that hasn't stopped Great Brittain, Australia, India, and several smaller countries to use it in two world wars, As much as I like Mausers, enfields handle better and shoot faster.