H&H had to increase the cost regarding the brackets due to the fact that once they had virtually production-lined the conversion, they had to do a lot more machining of the brackets. Don't forget that it's not the telescope that is matched to the rifle (- well, it is...., sort of, afterwards....) it is the BRACKET that is matched to the rifle by a) fit and b) collimation.

But back to the subject, I am a firm believer that if anyone is contemplating a good look-a-like No4T, they should start with a BSA No4 and get a set of repro pads (cheap.....) professionally fitted by someone who has done a bit of reading and listens. This is so that HE does what YOU tell him. And I'd suggest that when this is being done, you get your pads set so that they fit your friends original/genuine bracket and telescope combination.

I know that you haven't got a telescope or bracket yet but ONE day, you might and when you do, there's a good chance that with a bit of fitting, you're ready to go.

If you can't do it this slightly more expensive way. Get a repro bracket (cheap), fit a borrowed but centralised (any mark type....) No32 to it. Then get the fitter to set up the pads and bracket so that the telescope aligns with the bore of the rifle. That way you've got the rifle and bracket, all collimated up, just waiting for a half decent scope to turn up.

But whatever you do, don't start by faffing around and drilling and fitting some rubbish old pads to the rifle because when you DO find a telescope and bracket, you've got to start again and buy another rifle to boot..........

Just my views