Performance of No. 4 Mk 1* Long Branch

[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).