Performance of No. 4 Mk 1* Long Branch

[cprher]

I just bought a mint condition No. 4 Mk 1* Long Branch still in cosmoline. It has a tan issue sling, and a rack number painted on the butt (N191). The paint is in perfect condition. I'm in the process of getting as much of the cosmoline off as I can without removing the forestock and intend to shoot the gun at the next opportunity.

What kind of accuracy can I expect with high quality ammo? It has a 5 groove barrel which looks to be in perfect, unfired condition. I'll be using Prvi Partizan 174 ammo and some 174 match ammo made by Hornady. Any insight regarding what I should expect would be appreciated.

Keith

Information

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[Ridolpho]

cprher: Even if you don't want to strip it, at least confirm that there is proper upward force at the tip of the forend. I've had a couple of virtually new looking No. 4's that did not. Cosmolene or not, these are old rifles (and if it's painted, it can't be mint) and I would suggest you learn the drill and strip before shooting. You can easily learn what to look for perusing the material in this forum. As to accuracy, my own well used Longbranch easily does 2-2.5inch groups (at 100 yards). Have fun with it.

Ridolpho

[ssj]

What year? who off? "still in cosmoline" seems unusual....nagants do come that way (though often ftr'd than packed away), makes me wonder if someone isnt pulling a fast one?

2inch moa is usual, accurised 1inch moa.

CAn you do some pics please?

regards

[Peter Laidler]

Your rifle should (in fact it MUST.....) conform to the accuracy requirements of the Armourers bible, the EMER's. They've been published here several times if anyone cares to resurrect the accuracy spec for a bog standard off-the-shelf No4.

It really is as simple as that. But these figures are using .303" Mk7 ammunition

[Ridolpho]

cprher: As Peter L. says, it's all specified in the EMER's or Canadian EME Manual. I've checked the Canadian 1955 manual and the 1991 manual (yes it's still in service way up north!) and find identical "dispersion" requirements. To quote the combined imperial/ metric '91 version: "barrel dispersion shall be considered acceptable if the 5 shots all fall within or cut the edges of a rectangle, with sides measuring 2.54 cm (1 inch) horizontally and 3.81 cm (1-1/2 inches) vertically at 22.86 metres (25 yards)". One of these publications is available elsewhere on this forum (check the library).

Ridolpho

[cprher]

Ridolpho,
Thanks for the advice. Went on ebay this AM and found a very good video on how to disassemble the No. 4 rifle. Following it was very easy and I did a complete strip and clean. Found the rifle does NOT have the proper upwards pressure but more or less was free floating forward of the chamber. The rifle has a ferrule around the front action screw between the receiver and the trigger guard. Will shortening this ferrule VERY slightly help put more pressure on the rear of the barrel and a bit more upward pressure on the front?
Keith

[Badger]

Steps also found on Jay Currah's site under Enfield Technical Information...

Detailed Stripping of the No4 MkI and MkI* Rifles

Regards,
Doug

Edit: Also... Marksmanship Information

[Brian Dick]

Read Peter Laidler's article here on correct forend fitting.

[cprher]

Brian,
Did as you recommended. Laidler is a wealth of knowledge. After looking at my 4 No. 4s I focused on the front action bolt and whether the ferrule was too long. Each was to one degree or the other. On my most accurate rifle it was only about .010" too long, but others were anywhere between .020" and .070" too long. Adjusted them all IAW Laidler's article and we'll see how they shoot. Most interesting to me was all of the adjusted lengths were very similar, ~.420", but ranged from .500" to .425" before adjustments were made.
Keith

[303Guy]

I have a near mint Long Branch (sporterized). I don't kn ow how long ago it was taken out of cosmoline but it sure is mint so it's possible some are still in cosmoline. It's a two-groove. My other two-groove with a 'rust textured' bore is pretty damn accurate (with scope and handloads). It has a free floated barrel - not sure that's a good thing. I've heard from folks who say they have acquired North American built No4's that were free floated from the factory. Is that correct?

My uncle who was an armourer in North Africa (Tobruk I think) told me of how he and his fellow armours would set up spent 303 casings and shoot them with accurised rifles. They would keep moving them them further out. I don't recall how far out they were still able to hit them but he did say the accuracy was good. For some reason I have the idea he said it was No4's they were . Would they have had No4's in North Africa? I don't recall what exactly they were doing to accurise these rifles nor how often they did it. (He escaped the fall of Tobruk by taking a vehicle and heading out into the dessert).