Can't ID No4MK1 rifle ...

[Steve H. in N.Y.]

As Mk VII stated, it's normal for the bolt to feel very hard to close. If it feels very very very hard it's possible that the striker may be binding a bit within the bolt. Cleaning and lubrication wouldn't hurt in any case. I'll bet quite a few moose have been taken with a .303, eh?

Nomenclature; the cocking piece at the rear of the bolt is engaged by the upper arm of the sear.

[Edward Horton]

Wendigo

All new firearms are proof tested, this means a high pressure test cartridge that can be 120% to 140% higher pressure than a normal hunting cartridge.

Your Enfield was re-proof tested and the bolt was checked for proper head space. This means the bolt face where the firing pin come out is the proper distance from the rear of the cartridge with the bot closed.

A well used Enfield may over time have the head space or air gap between the bolt face and rear of the cartridge case grow or increase beyond normal limits.

In short your Enfield was checked for serviceability before it was sold on the civilian market and passed with flying colors.

Get some foam bore cleaner and let the foam do all your work for you, the U.S. Military now uses this from small arms to field pieces. You will not find a better way to clean any rifle bore of all copper.

[Wendigo]

Thanks for the Info guys, much appreciated. I'll post some pics and a note after I get it cleaned up and test fired.

Cheers !

[Rule .303]

Be sure to clean out all of the old grease from the inside of the bolt.
Mine (circa 1942) was gooey and petrified. This will slow down the lock time (trigger release to firing, simply). Re-lube lightly with gun grease.

If your goal is Moose, use HEAVY bullets! 180 gr. soft points or better.