UF55 Range Rifle

[krinko]

Last time I took this rifle out, it was throwing shots all over the landscape and then started stringing vertically---which indicated to me that the damned thing was either disintegrating in my hands or demon possessed.
I was wrong on both counts.
1.It doesn't like PPU boattails.
2.The handguard was riding the front sight block.

I did some serious front band staking to fix the handguard and took it out to the range again today.
After running some very aggravating "groups" with the PPU, I ran one last string with the FNB 86 and it's odd French pattern bullet. Two elevation and one windage correction got the 100yard target pictured here.
Photos of the expensive and complicated Schattenbaum Accurizing System to follow later.
-----krinko

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.

[madcratebuilder]

How many rounds down the tube? Both of my 'new' Mk2's grouped poorly until around 150-200 rounds fired.

PF Mk2


UF Mk2

[Brian Dick]

We've talked about boat tail bullets before here. It probably doesn't apply to your newish Mk.2 but most LE rifles that have been either broken in or even shot extensively with cordite will perform better with flat base bullets. I shoot Sierra's when I have the time to reload which isn't often and find the 180 Pro Hunters will out perform the 174 Match Kings in most barrels with normal wear patterns.

[Steve H. in N.Y.]

I sometimes do consulting work for that outfit.

[krinko]

MCB---the rifle has about 400 rounds through it and has done very well in the past, when I had tubs of the 1980 dated South African ball.
Brian---I save the .311 Matchkings for the Finnish Mosins, which can do something with them and have been reloading with FB bullets when I can find the time. I wish PPU would get off the boattail kick, I really do.

Now more photos! Including the Fabulous Schattenbaum Accurizing System's secret stuff, wow!

The muzzle end showing the Lyman No.17 tunnel sight and the solid sight base I adapted to take it. The sight protector was pinging the tunnel a bit, so off it came.



Next the King Kong staking job that immobilized the front band.


Leftside view of the rifle.


Schattenbaum Accurizing System. From the Manual: 1.Loosen forestock screws. 2.Insert cork pad under barrel at the front band. 3.Tighten screws.


-----krinko

[madcratebuilder]

Schattenbaum Accurizing System. From the Manual: 1.Loosen forestock screws. 2.Insert cork pad under barrel at the front band. 3.Tighten screws.

I've played around with cork pads, and shims, on some rimfires with varied success. I have read about using them on the no4 and No5. I should give it a try on some of my MkI's.

[Brian Dick]

PPU has marketed the .303 ammo with boat tails for many years. They used to mark the boxes as Mk.8Z but they don't do it anymore. I'd guess they were tooled up for MG ammo and bullets so that's what they still produce.

I think most will find that if their No.4 rifle's forend is bedded correctly to specification and the screws kept tight, it'll probably shoot better than most of us can. I know it's true in my case.

[shottist]

Guess I'm blessed. I have a UF55 that loves the 174 SMK over a modest charge of IMR4350 and has shot extremely well with that bullet right from the get go. With a Scope mounted it will reliably shoot 5 shot groups of less than 2 inches at 200M. I have another UF55 that I have yet to seriously work up but it gives me 5 shot groups of about 4 inches at 200M using a A J Parker twin zero sight, (also with the 174gr SMK and IMR4350). Neither of these rifles have been modified in any way, (other than the sights). They have simply been carefully assembled per Armorers instructions, ie front action screw tight, upper hand guard tight and not in contact with the front sight, and factory bedding. Ammo quality?

[Edward Horton]

A loose fore stock will cause the Enfield Rifle to string is shots vertically, a loose butt stock will cause horizontal shot stringing.

I would strongly suggest to anyone who is having a problem with stringing their shots vertically with the Enfield rifle to temporarily to remove the front trigger guard bushing and retest the rifle for grouping.

If your grouping improve you have wood shrinkage and your bushing is too long and should be shortened. Placing cork under the the barrel at the fore end tip will not fix the problem and it will only cause damage to the forward draws area of the fore stock.

Please note you have been warned before NOT to remove a snug fitting fore stock by wiggling the fore end tip up and down because it will damage the forward draws area and make the fore stock a looser fit due to wood crush.

Also the standard practice of placing shims under the hand guards will keep them from from shifting fore and aft during firing.

The reason I supplied 95% of the Enfield manuals you see on the Internet today was in the hopes of starting an Enfield Renaissance by increasing everyones knowledge. If we are to leave the "Dark Ages" and start a second Enfield Renaissance it would help to read these manuals.

Up pressure at the fore end tip controls grouping and vertical stringing and cork at the front of the stock will not fix a problem at the rear of the stock.

[krinko]

"...and No5."

MCB,
It has been my experience that the No5 forestock can be bearing on the left side of the barrel in the morning and bearing on the right side of the barrel by dusk---slippery little creatures that they are.
A cork pad from the Schattenbaum System will keep wood to metal bearing in stasis, which makes it's effect on each shot repeatable, which is the soul of accuracy.
"No tricks! No unpleasant bending!"---V.Stanshall "Mr. Apollo".

Photo is such a pad installed on my beautiful 4/45 Fazakerley, which shoots nice round groups.
-----krinko