What to do...?

So I'm having a bit of an internal conundrum. Since I got into Lee Enfield rifles I've wanted a No. 4 (T). Not necessarily a real one cuz between the cost of the rifle and a real No32 scope it makes it a bit unreasonable for a rifle that's meant to be a shooter and not really a collectible. So a faux-(T) always made the most sense. To that end and after some hiccups I have a barreled receiver and have collected all the necessary parts required for the project short of the pads, scope bracket, and cheek rest, and with the intention of sending it off to Brian Dick to be put together right. But then I start thinking about this... One of the defining characteristics of the (T) is it's No32 scope. Real ones are now running close to $2,000 if you can find one. That kinda puts them out of my budget, and by all accounts the reproductions are trash (disappointing considering my M82 repro on my faux-a4 has been solid). I do have a vintage K3 sitting in the safe I could use and it seems many are quite pleased with that particular setup in absence of a No32, but I go back to the scope being a defining characteristic of the (T). Regardless, I should really get this receiver back in a proper military setup.

So here's my conundrum... Despite not having a No32 scope, do I get a faux-(T) built and use the K3 or do I just get the rifle stocked proper for accuracy and put a Fulton 'no gunsmithing' mount on it and call it a day?

They didn't all have No32 on them so the shape is the characteristic in my mind. You do what you can afford and then if you have Brian do it, it'll shoot correctly too. Then you have a shooter that isn't blowing brass and will achieve group at decent ranges. And...didn't cost you a second mortgage.

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Originally Posted by browningautorifle

They didn't all have No32 on them so the shape is the characteristic in my mind. You do what you can afford and then if you have Brian do it, it'll shoot correctly too. Then you have a shooter that isn't blowing brass and will achieve group at decent ranges. And...didn't cost you a second mortgage.

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wazz built one up we done all the work our selves the hardest part was drilling the hole at the back of the action he done every thing that peter said in his post

amadeus: I just had a great trip to the range with my replica (fake) T with repro Taiwanese scope. It certainly looks the part and you don't run into many at the range who even know what a "T" is let alone care about authenticity. I've only put a few hundred rounds through it with this scope and it works well. If it breaks I won't lose any sleep given the cost plus I also have a Weaver that can replace it for shooting purposes. In addition, I do have a pair of real T's with real scopes (each one worked on by one of the two extant experts in the field) and, while I do shoot both, I'd rather keep those two real scopes in the condition they are in- they both had hard lives. Come to think of it, I might swap the repro into the bracket for range trips with the real T's. Back to the OP- I would recommend buying a repro for display and occasional use while using the Weaver for most of the shooting.

Ridolpho

Or, better still Amadeus, get yourself a good Mk1 or Mk1/2 rifle and an 'original' repro bracket from our very own Roger Payne. Plus a set of his body pads. Then get someone like Brian at BDL to set the rifle up USING A COLLIMATED AND CENTRALISED slave No32 telescope. With me so far? Then he can fit the wood properly, bead blast, phosphate and paint. Now you'll have a No4T less the telescope. Then, when you finally get a telescope, you'll have a rifle with a perfectly mated and matched and collimated bracket ready for you to drop the telescope into.

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Originally Posted by Peter Laidler

Or, better still Amadeus, get yourself a good Mk1 or Mk1/2 rifle and an 'original' repro bracket from our very own Roger Payne. Plus a set of his body pads. Then get someone like Brian at BDL to set the rifle up USING A COLLIMATED AND CENTRALISED slave No32 telescope. With me so far? Then he can fit the wood properly, bead blast, phosphate and paint. Now you'll have a No4T less the telescope. Then, when you finally get a telescope, you'll have a rifle with a perfectly mated and matched and collimated bracket ready for you to drop the telescope into.

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Well... Yea. That’s actually what the plan was until I ran into the conundrum of not having a good repro No32 scope. Now I’m trying to figure out if it makes more sense to stick with the original plan and use the K3 or just get the barreled receiver set up right and slap a no-gunsmith mount on it and call it good?

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Originally Posted by amadeus76

Well... Yea. That’s actually what the plan was until I ran into the conundrum of not having a good repro No32 scope. Now I’m trying to figure out if it makes more sense to stick with the original plan and use the K3 or just get the barreled receiver set up right and slap a no-gunsmith mount on it and call it good?

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amadeus: But will it look this good? My repro is fun and shoots well ('42 Savage with as new bore) BUT the pads were installed by a complete incompetent (no, not me!). If you were to have one set up by BDL it could be a fantastic rifle and you can change out scopes over time, perhaps locating an original someday. The very best groups I've shot with mine were actually with the Weaver but it's not horrible with the repro thing. You get what you pay for and I bought this repro No. 32 for about $400 (US).

Ridolpho

Here are pics of my No4 Mk2 (a POF rifle), I regularly set it up like this and can revert to std No4 configuration in a few minutes. Spare NOS Morris butt stock, original No4T cheekpiece, Fulton steel mount and a Weaver K3 with post and crosshair reticule. Looks good, shoots great and the rifle is unaltered!

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Originally Posted by Patt14 No2

Looks good, shoots great and the rifle is unaltered!

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That's the sort of thing I was referring to...

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Originally Posted by Ridolpho

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amadeus: But will it look this good? My repro is fun and shoots well ('42 Savage with as new bore) BUT the pads were installed by a complete incompetent (no, not me!). If you were to have one set up by BDL it could be a fantastic rifle and you can change out scopes over time, perhaps locating an original someday.

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That’s what o keep coming back to...

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Originally Posted by Patt14 No2

Here are pics of my No4 Mk2 (a POF rifle), I regularly set it up like this and can revert to std No4 configuration in a few minutes. Spare NOS Morris butt stock, original No4T cheekpiece, Fulton steel mount and a Weaver K3 with post and crosshair reticule. Looks good, shoots great and the rifle is unaltered!

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That’s essentially how I have my Mk2 set up currently, minus the cheek rest, and what I might do with the receiver if I don’t do the faux-(T).