Scoped No.4's

[Ridolpho]

Started a "shootout" between my real "T" (the top rifle in the photos) with Mk3 scope and a replica Savage with Taiwanese Mk1 replica scope. The real one is a well used and FTR'd early '43 that the previous owner re-barreled with a newish 2 groover (he didn't want to wear out the barrel it came with which I have). The scope was serviced by Warren and is first rate. The "replica" started as a rather pathetic fake (fooled me!) to which I have hand fitted a replica bracket which holds the replica scope. This one also has a new-appearing 2 groove barrel.

The attached photos show two 5 shot groups from the replica shot prone with left hand lightly resting on a sandbag. Each group includes 3 shots that are around an inch and given that I'm new to this style of shooting and the rifle has a heavy trigger I'm encouraged. At this point the sole bench on the range opened up so I switched to the real "T" and after 2 barrel warmers very quickly shot the 5 shot group shown. As I was just looking for adjustments to the zero, I was quite surprised at the group- 1.5 inches by about 2.5. Probably the best I've had with a Lee Enfield. As the previous owner told me, the trigger is light and crisp and, of course, the image quality in the real scope is quite a bit better than the replica. Ran out of time and had to leave but hope to get both back out this coming (Thanksgiving) weekend for a little more scientific comparison using the bench. Notably, the replica scope now has about 100 rounds under its belt and hasn't failed. I will update.

Ridolpho

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[jmoore]

You might want to bring other ammo types as well, if possible. Those Remingtons haven't been a favorite amongst my local Enfielders.

[Ridolpho]

jmoore: I will try some PRVI FMJ's but that's the only other type I've been able to find locally other than all the multitudes of big game loads. Anything come to mind that you've heard works well? As to the Remington, I will say that it seems to work reasonably well in all my .303's (P14, No. 1, No. 4, Ross) and even at 500 yards many of the rifles shoot perfectly on using the range setting on the sight suggesting it's pretty close, ballistically, to MkVII. Thanks.


Ridolpho

[jmoore]

If you've got some Remington ammo that works well for you, then drive on! The usual UMC fooder we've had has short OAL length, so the bullet sits way off the lands.

I like the Prvi, generally, but in some rifles it just doesn't do well at all. Possibly the boat tailed bullets. But the South African surplus of which I have a dwindling supply is of Mk8z variety, so you'd think it would have the same problem. But it's hard to predict.

The most uniformly good ammo i've had is loaded with Sierra 180gr soft points. So that's what I load.

The Greek stuff was good. As was the Canadian.

Most all of the British and Indo/Paki ammo has been fairly unreliable. Click,boom. Click,...Boom. Or click, ........
Had enough of that nonsense. Might one day pull a bunch down and load into new cases. Those of y'all that have good success with such ammo, count your blessings!

[CINDERS]

I used Hornady 150 SPire SP sat them down to the about 1/32" off the top of the cannular groove out of the neck lip, light crimp Fed 210 primer and AR 2209. (ADI)
I did not give you the charge weight as that you will have to chart yourself, they are good up to @400 - 500m (bit stretchy) but excell at 300m they are a flat base .312 pill and are good if the Brl is a tad tired as the 174SMK are .311 there is another that is .310.5 but cannot remember the make.
Anyway givem a go I was shooting my 1916 No 1 Mk III 5MD Lithgow with them also they go well in the No.4 2 groovers but as we shoot up to 600M in some matchs I have to use the 174SMK's now.

[Badger]

I thought members reading this excellent thread, might also enjoy some old video of No.4(T)'s (and other pieces) on the range. This is some fun video, which I thought many of our MILSURPS.COM members and other collectors here would enjoy. It shows MILSURPS.COM members ~Angel~, Scott and Badger, shooting various sniper rifles from their personal collections. There's also a video in the screening room of the same rifles at 500 Meters.

Turn up the volume so you can hear the sound of those plates dropping ! Notice the sound delay between the time you see the plate fall, until you hear the metal PING sound return back up range to the shooter's position.




Engaging 12" Steel Plates and 4 Foot Targets at 400 Meters.

1945 British Enfield No.4(T) .303
1942 Russian 91/30 Mosin-Nagant 7.62x54r
1908 Swedish m/41b 6.5mm

Copyright MILSURPS.COM
(All Rights Reserved)

[Ridolpho]

Well I made it back out to the now snowy and muddy range and shot both off my "bench". I've shown the best 5 shot groups from each and a couple of shots of the typical groups that all seem to have 3 shots in about an inch and 2 that ruin it. That said, they both meet the original requirement of 5 in a 3" by 3" square at 100 yards. I suspect with further practice better results may be obtainable. The replica has a trigger with clear 2 stage pull but second stage drags and breaks at about 6-7 pounds. The original "T" has an excellent 2 stage pull but release is very light (maybe 3 pounds) and I repeatedly fired shots with the post having drifted off the target (probably due to numb fingers). But enough excuses! Great day out of the city with a couple of 70 year old rifles. Happy Thanksgiving. edit- I forgot, all Remington FMJ again.

Ridolpho