Grumpy after attempting zeroing....

[spinecracker]

Thanks most kindly. Now all I have to do is work out how to get the original block band off without buggering up the rifle

[newcastle]

what difference does a gap between butt socket and forend make?

[jona]

That gap will allow to fore end to shift when firing. Shift equals a split fore end. Found out the hard way.

[Edward Horton]

what difference does a gap between butt socket and forend make?

A loose fore stock and improper bedding in the draws area will cause the Enfield rifle to string its shots vertically.



The Enfield rifle has one bedding screw and that is the forward trigger guard screw. If the bushing-collar on the trigger guard screw is too long or if the draws area at the rear of the stock is loose the fore stock can rock or pivot at the front trigger guard screw just like a child's Teeter Totter.



If you can insert a feeler gauge between the receiver socket and the very rear of the fore stock you have wood shrinkage and loose bedding in the draws area at the very rear of the fore stock.



Below in the top photo is where you shim the draws area to "PUSH" the rear of the fore stock into contact with the receiver socket. The shaded area at the rear of the fore stock does NOT have to make 100% contact with the receiver socket BUT the contact area should be equal on both sides. The rear contact areas also centers the barrel in the barrel channel of the stock (left and right)



Below, draws area contact points and this area should be a snug tight fit. The draws area acts like the missing second bedding screw and can effect the required up pressure of 2 to 7 pounds at the fore end tip of the barrel.





Bottom line, if the back end of the fore stock is loose in the draws area it can and will effect the point of impact of your bullet. AND the accuracy of YOUR Enfield rifle.





NOTE: If an American reading the Canadian No.4 Enfield manual can figure this all out and not go blind playing with his fore stock, then some of you people are not having any fun.........................and didn't read the all the manuals I provided Badger and this website.

I have spent more money tracking down Enfield manuals and converting them to Adobe .pdf format for you people to read for free than I have spent on buying Enfield Rifles.

All the information in the world is written in books and all YOU have to do is read.







Please remember this, you will NOT fix ANY bedding problems on an Enfield rifle by putting cork or other type shims under the barrel at the fore end tip when the rear area of the draws is loose or your forward trigger guard bushing-collar is too long.

The top photo in this posting was my "before" photo and below is the "after" photo with my first Enfield rifle properly bedded, 10 shots at 50 yards



A 5 shot group after adding a PH-5C target sight.



If you use beer cans and credit cards to bed your Enfield rifle you should be shot with a dull bullet and have your library card revoked.
("Expert" bedding advice from another forum...........In a pig's arse)

[Nickjc]

I have been reading this thread with interest. On my 43 LB I can slip a .022 feeler gauge in the area at the rear end of the forestock and the receiver socket. I am assuming this is entirely too much.....

I have looked and could not find the minimum acceptable limit for this spacing... been a long day maybe its there and i missed it....that being said what is an adequate shimming method and/or material to use at the rear ed of the forestock?

thanks for any insight !

[spinecracker]

If someone could give the link to Mr. Laidler's excellent post regarding the fitting of a new No.4 forend, then it would be appreciated. This is from the article (I have it printed out and read it quite often) - "If, after a days shooting, a gap between the rear of the fore-end and face of the butt socket opens up, up to .010”, then this is acceptable providing that there’s no noticeable play fore and aft (there won’t be if you’ve adjusted the collar correctly …) and the correct bearings at the reinforce, draws, magazine well sides and muzzle are intact."

I do not know what I would do without Mr. Laidler's brain - I am sure he likes it, too.

[Edward Horton]

If someone could give the link to Mr. Laidler's excellent post regarding the fitting of a new No.4 forend, then it would be appreciated. This is from the article (I have it printed out and read it quite often) - "If, after a days shooting, a gap between the rear of the fore-end and face of the butt socket opens up, up to .010”, then this is acceptable providing that there’s no noticeable play fore and aft (there won’t be if you’ve adjusted the collar correctly …) and the correct bearings at the reinforce, draws, magazine well sides and muzzle are intact."

I do not know what I would do without Mr. Laidler's brain - I am sure he likes it, too.

spinecracker

With all due respect to Mr. Laidler I believe the .010 is the maximum allowable "military" limits before shimming the draws and bedding work is required. If you look at the military manuals and bedding advice from Jim Sweet and many others the best accuracy is achieved with the rear of the fore stock making "firm contact with the receiver socket.

I learned early on from the Australians that the draws area of the Enfield stock was to be as tight as buggery.

[xa-coupe]

This is a very interesting and very pertinent thread for me.
I have a no4 7.62 range rifle that I suppose was used for full bore target shooting. I has a free floating for end and I put a sporter style stock on it so I could see through the scope without causing neck problems.
Once it warms up a bit it starts stringing up and to the right. I will use all these hints and tips to try and sort it out.
The rifle is extremely accurate until it does this. This is at 100 m.
Disregard the holes at the bottom .. playing around with the No1 Mk3* and finding out my eyes aren't what they used to be. And yes, the target was upside down not the picture !