Finally! An SMLE (Ishapore)

[cipherk98]

I did take the time to shoot it Monday. I checked the gun with a borrowed borescope given it is not viable to tear it down to check before shooting, and the fact it was rust free is the only reason I shot it as ordinarily I do prefer a look under the handguards/wood line. Finally was able to make out the import mark - Springfield Sporters brought it in, must have been quite some time ago. Bore was a bit greasy but cleaned up without too much effort. I didn't want to open the ammo until I knew this gun shot okay. I scrounged up some S&B 150gr SPs to test it with, not my choice but all I could find locally on short notice.

It did shoot about 1.5-2" low which is about to be expected given that ammo is loaded on the conservative side. It was shooting about 4.5" to the right, so the front sight will need drifted. Only real complaint is the mag seemed to come loose and drop low after every shot, preventing feeding. I may not have been getting it locked in well enough, but I was getting a solid click when I slapped it in. Any thoughts on that? Groups I got were acceptable, 4" or so given I had to fiddle with the mag after every shot and use a lot of hold over. I suspect 174grs or a handload will do better, I like the Sierra Pro Hunter 180gr SP flat base for .311ish bolt guns. Bolt runs real nice when the mag stays in place, pretty easy shooting with the fairly mild S&B load.

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[browningautorifle]

the mag seemed to come loose and drop low after every shot

Is it possible the mag isn't the right one? If it's truly locking in it should be good. Unless someone just swapped another...not fitted quite right...