I could not pass this one up

[119er]

I passed this one today at a gun show and had to take it home! I am new to collecting surplus rifles and the Enfield is no exclusion. I started with a No 4 Mk1* at a pawn shop and this is my second, a No1 Mk3* that is an Australian refurbish from the 40's as I'm told. I just couldn't pass it up as the wood is beautiful and it appears to have never been fired since it refurb. The seller purchased it at an estate sale. I am waiting on my Enfield books, so any information is welcome! I did notice restamped numbers. Is this part of the process?

Information

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[aqbill]

Very, very nice! You did well. The front barrel lands suggest that it hasn't be used very much if at all. Good Show!

[119er]

This will make a good companion to a well used No.1 as a contrast to the use these rifles endure through their life as service rifles. Cost was less than 400 USD. I'm not sure whether to shoot this rifle or not. There is not even a mark on the magazine even hinting that that it has ever been fired through the magazine. As aqbill said, the bore looks pristine. My photos didn't come out well enough to post.

[Demo]

It's not quite an Australian refurb. It's a John Jovino built up rifle from surplas parts.

Check that it has recoil inserts installed before you fire it.

[119er]

Thanks for the info, I will search the for the inserts. i noticed 42 on the stock and 45 on the ring.

[RJW NZ]

Wow, good find!

[smellie]

Friend, you have a very nice rifle there.

I have one here that actually IS an Aussie rebuild of sorts, but it is wartime and the forestock cracked in this lousy dry climate of ours. I had to repair The Damned Crack and touch up the bdding in a couple of spots. My barrel appears to be just about as decent as yours and it REALLY shoots.

I have published my test load for these rifles several times in this forum: 38 grains of 4895 with a Sierra 180 Pro-Hunter flatbase, seated to the OAL of a Ball round. Very accurate and NOT hot: just 2250 ft/sec MV.

If you check in the Stickies above, you will find links into the Military Knowledge Library, which is practically inexhaustable when it comes to information. It includes several MANUALS for you rifle, including Armourers' notes on what to look for when it stops shooting perfectly. There also is a really decent book, "Shot to Live: The Johnson Method of Musketry Coaching" which is built around the Number 4 but is equally applicable to your rifle. It will REALLY help you to get the best performance from your rifle. We used this book as our basic marksmanship manual in the Canadian military for many years after the Lee-Enfield was retired, simply because the book is so darned good.

BTW, I notice that yours is a very low-numbered post. Welcome aboard!

And be sure to have fun with that lovely rifle. We only see them that nice on very rare occasions.
.

[119er]

Thanks for the welcome, smellie! Do you neck size or full length resize your cases? I have begun my build up of reloading equipment and literature, but I keep spending all of my money on surplus rifles! Still waiting on my 1903A3 and Mosin M44 to show up!

[Bindi2]

Thanks for the welcome, smellie! Do you neck size or full length resize your cases? I have begun my build up of reloading equipment and literature, but I keep spending all of my money on surplus rifles! Still waiting on my 1903A3 and Mosin M44 to show up!

Neck size and keep separate for each rifle as they multiply.

[Sht_LE]

Welcome to the forum 119er, if you hang out here long enough you will learn a lot (I know I have).
I must say that is a very nice looking rifle. Thanks for posting pics. Demo is right in that it's a John Jovino rifle built up from parts (look for there import stamp on the right side of the receiver JJCo. NY NY) but they are nice rifles and shoot great. Just make sure the recoil plates are installed before you shoot her or you will end up with a split forearm.
I reload for a number of cartridges and 303 is one of them. I full length resize, but only because I have a large stable of Enfields. You will get better accurancy (most of the time) and longer brass life if you neck size only. Just remember which rifle it is for. There are some very informative post on reloading for the 303 on this forum, do a search and you will have several days worth of reading material.
You should be very happy with an 03A3, they are nice rifles and the M44 will get your attention on the range. At one time I had a 1944 and 1947 dated Russian M44 a Polish Made M44 and one of the Chinese copys. They are fun to shoot (HUGE fire ball with milsurp) and fairly accurate. Sold/trade them off over the years for different things, I should have kept one but.....