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  1. #1
    Contributing Member Gil Boyd's Avatar
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    Parker hale m85

    Has anybody else got an interest in the M85 Parker Hale sniper rifle that should have won the Army contract as opposed to the L96??
    Be good to hear from you
    Gil
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    A Collector's View - The SMLE Short Magazine Lee Enfield 1903-1989. It is 300 8.5x11 inch pages with 1,000+ photo’s, most in color, and each book is serial-numbered.  Covering the SMLE from 1903 to the end of production in India in 1989 it looks at how each model differs and manufacturer differences from a collecting point of view along with the major accessories that could be attached to the rifle. For the record this is not a moneymaker, I hope just to break even, eventually, at $80/book plus shipping.  In the USA shipping is $5.00 for media mail.  I will accept PayPal, Zelle, MO and good old checks (and cash if you want to stop by for a tour!).  CLICK BANNER to send me a PM for International pricing and shipping. Manufacturer of various vintage rifle scopes for the 1903 such as our M73G4 (reproduction of the Weaver 330C) and Malcolm 8X Gen II (Unertl reproduction). Several of our scopes are used in the CMP Vintage Sniper competition on top of 1903 rifles. Brian Dick ... BDL Ltd. - Specializing in British and Commonwealth weapons Specializing in premium ammunition and reloading components. Your source for the finest in High Power Competition Gear. Here at T-bones Shipwrighting we specialise in vintage service rifle: re-barrelling, bedding, repairs, modifications and accurizing. We also provide importation services for firearms, parts and weapons, for both private or commercial businesses.
     

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    It's not a bad rifle. But "unfinished". For one, it's very particular about the magzines. Many need tweaking of the feed lips so that the bolt will engage the cartridge whilst feeding. Mag release is too easily actuated as well.

    At least they fixed the trigger assembly!

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    Contributing Member Gil Boyd's Avatar
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    Nice multi coloured McMillan stock there, what scope are you using?

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    It's a 10x Leupold in a 1" PH mount. Would like to round up a 26mm unit one day, along with a more appropriate scope.

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    Contributing Member Gil Boyd's Avatar
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    They are about and often up for sale here in the UKicon.
    I load my rifle round at a time, so don't use the mag for what it was intended, however, on occasions I have let other people fill and fire, they have had feeder issues caused by the lip of the short mag.
    I tend to rest my springs when not in use and lightly oil them when ever I can, which seems to overcome that problem.
    Are you using 7.62x51's?
    Gil
    Last edited by Gil Boyd; 10-06-2013 at 05:03 AM.

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    Quote Originally Posted by Gil9713 View Post
    Are you using 7.62x51's?

    Not much. Mostly ammo I load myself. It likes 150gr Nosler Ballistic Tips and Sierra MKs. IMR 4064 powder.

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    Contributing Member Gil Boyd's Avatar
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    Roger that, interesting

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    Legacy Member chosenman's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Gil9713 View Post
    Parker Hale sniper rifle that should have won the Army contract as opposed to the L96??
    Mmmmmmmm! Should have won the Army contract over the AI L96?? I'm not to sure about that. The L96 shoots like a demon and is the only rifle I have ever taken out of its cover and shot a V bull at 1000 yds first round cold. This thread alone has already criticised the M85 build quality. However it is a beautiful looking gun and has its place in Britishicon sniper rifle history, I fully intend getting one.

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  13. #9
    Contributing Member Gil Boyd's Avatar
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    Chosenman,
    After a great deal of research on the L96 and the M85 and speaking directly to those craftsman who worked on both rifles with blood sweat and tears, I found that it basically came down to which rifle caused the least dramas to change bits in the field or in an armourers hands, and the M85, although deemed a better rifle, lost out marginally.....sadly due to that one fact.
    A real shame, as it closed one of the most respected historic manufacturers in the UKicon overnight Parker Hale.

    Incidently both rifles produced unbelievable cold start first round results.
    Again IMO it was a hairs width decision between them both.

    I would be interested to hear from any ex Military SAC users like Peter Laidlericon who I would value his views on the M85 also. But I believe that to be a true statement.
    One rifle I certainly won't be shifting in the near future.......I love it
    Gil

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    Legacy Member chosenman's Avatar
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    Hi Gil,
    Yep I have heard from several sources that the MOD decision rested on the engineering and design features of both finalist rifles. The M85's conventional build was essentially its downfall as it required the full back up of REME armourers to keep it front line, just the same as the L42. It would appear AI listened to the brief and built something innovative and more importantly required very little skilled attention. Virtually all parts that hung off the chassis could be attended to by the rifleman, barrel change, trigger unit, battle sights, side panels could all be removed, reattached and swapped mostly with three allen keys and only a 1 MOA depreciation over 10,000 rounds was guaranteed.

    I think the MOD made the right call. They selected a weapon that was innovative, completely Britishicon and it delivered exactly what it said on the tin, furthermore its ascendants still do!

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