Is building a replica 4T a taboo?

[flying pig]

Hey guys. I'm really heartset on building a replica 4T. I'm a young father of 2 supporting the four of us on a mechanic/operator wage. I have been collecting Canadian and commonwealth rifles and gear for a bit over a year. I have two No4 MkI's, two No1 MkIII*s and a No5 Mk1. I want a 4T in the worst way but I want to be able to shoot it a lot. I'd feel guilty shooting a real 4T more than a few times a year, and the cost is just way too much for us anytime soon. I regularly shoot my 223 out past 500m and am getting better all the time, and would love a 303 to use for long range target and gongs too.

My wife bought me a No4 MkI/3 Longbranch sporter with a basically brand new barrel on it from refurb. I really want to turn this into a clone 4T. What do you guys think?

Information

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[Peter Laidler]

There is a thread on here that tells you how to go about building a repro PROPERLY as opposed to the usual dealer/trader or enthusiastic amateur method of just '.....screwing a set of dodgy pad on' and also screwing it up! Everyone to his own of course but to be absolutely honest and in my very limited experience in these matters as an Armourer, I know that there are all these barrel and this that and the other gauging limits and buyers do look for the brightest shiniest bore BUT. I have always said that what you want in a snipers rifle is not all the whistles and bells, but an ACCURATE rifle. And I have told snipers that we can re-barrel a sniper rifle barrel that has failed a gauge limit but when the sniper tells you that it shoots like a dream, then so long as it passes the Armourers accuracy test you have to take his word.

Tellingly, that is JUST the criteria that has been adopted for the new L115 rifle. The bore gauge must run freely and CHS up correctly. After that, regardless of the condition, if the sniper says that it is good, then it's good!

But that is only my limited experience in these things and 2c's worth

Anyway, what this is all trying to explain is that a reasonably cheap BSA made Mk1 that is accurate to the EMER spec. should make a good start to the project

[flying pig]

Are you prejudice against Longbranches Peter? Ha ha!

Excellent point. I do plan on trying it in restored military form before I decide. I'll do load development etc as if I were normal before I decide on this one for sure.

More so worried about the ethics behind doing this? To me as its a representative piece it being a 1/3 shouldn't hinder it.

And reading your articles has been part of my inspiration for wanting to build this as well. Sounds like it would be a fine project!

[Robert303]

I'm in the process of putting a No32 Mk11 scope and repro mounts onto a Long Branch I got with pads. Hopefully it will shoot well. It will NOT have any T marks added to it and when sold I will be posting the serial number as a 'BITSA'.
As long as you do not try to pass it off as an original I see no problem.

[flying pig]

I was thinking I'd brand it with my initials and a year date by the pads or on the knox or something. By the time I'm ready to move on fromn it 50 years from now someone could mistake it for a real one if I don't.

[Peter Laidler]

Believe me flying pig, noone will evber mistake a home grown set up for the real thing..............

[flying pig]

Believe me flying pig, noone will evber mistake a home grown set up for the real thing..............

For sure, the only way they could is if they haven't done their research and the seller is super shady. I don't plan on selling it in my lifetime anyway. Kinda just want it as a novelty and fun toy.


I have another question. If when the time comes I have trouble finding a No32 repro scope or if I just can't afford it yet can I use my vintage K4 to do the mount and pad install? I do want the 'real' repro scope on this one, just a matter of money, and it takes a bit of time to get that!

[bigduke6]

I,d wait and keep looking on ebay for a original no32, regardless of what you do with it, it will always gain in value, as for the repro, the more the market gets the flooded the cheaper they become.

[Ridolpho]

Flying Pig: As you are probably aware from reading Mr. Laidlers articles, it is the axis of the bracket that is collimated with the bore so it makes no difference what one inch scope you use after setting up the pads/ bracket. I set up my "replica" with a Weaver K3 which looks pretty good as I can have the turrets ahead of the bracket as with the real thing. I have since purchased a replica No.32 but may well do most of my shooting with the Weaver as I suspect its dramatically lower weight puts less stress on the pads during recoil. The replica I have has proven to be a great shooter and a lot of fun. Good luck with yours.

Ridolpho

[flying pig]

I can't justify a real one for this project. My wife has given me the go ahead that when I get our debts caught up enough that I can get a loan to buy a real 4T of my choice. It will be a 'mostly' safe queen, coming out only on very special occasions. The repro will be the go to rifle. A real scope would ruin that.