No 4(T) at 200 yards

[smle addict]

Took my 4T out to the range yesterday. Great shooting conditions, no wind and only a slight heat mirage. Managed to keep 14 rounds in the 10-ring at 200 yards. Group measured 4-1/4 by 5 inches, using handloads. Initially shot 6 rounds at 100 yards to confirm zero, then ran it out to 200.
1943 dated rifle, with a 1941 KL scope. Scope and mount are a mismatch, but still work well together.

Information

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[JerryEAL]

Ammo seems to be an issue. That rifle should be much better at 200. IMO. Here is something useful and I am no expert. No4 T's are the bread and butter of the Lee Enfield forum. Not one reply in 6 days. I love the fact you put the grouping on here. Its all about improving. The crazy part of the Lee Enfield is where is the issue. Wood, ammo, scope, etc, That is where the addiction takes hold,. Great post, we are with you every day at the range in the same boat.

Cheers
Jerry

[Daan Kemp]

What loads were you using?

[speckles]

Yes, What Daan is asking... what loads are you using... I just cannot get my T to perform that well...

[Gil Boyd]

Are you one of these lads who continually takes and refits his scope everytime he's going to use the rifle?
So easy not to do the knurled wheels up tight again, and thats often the cause of spread shot like that. MPI looks fine IMHO, if I was on the range and instructing you. Go back and use a sandbag, let us know how you get on then, cos that looks like you, not the loads if I can be cruel to be kind??
Don't forget, this rifle was designed to be a killing machine at no more than 400 yards!

[smle addict]

Thanks all,

Yes Jerry, it could be tighter; That's all me! After initial zero confirmation, I'll tuck in behind the rifle and carefully squeeze shots. After a few rounds, I catch myself waiting too long to breath, and shank one or two rounds. It's funny, how these rifles require so much more attention to discipline. I tend to shoot the T's or other Lee's in my collection to build on that discipline. Those 6-8 pound triggers really take some effort. Then I switch back to my hunting rifles (hunting season is starting up), and my groups shrink by half. Going from a Lee to a Rem 700 (with 1.5 pound triggers and recoil pads) is like going from a jeep to a Cadillac!

Gil, I do not dismount the scopes. The chests are stored in the garage, and the T's in the safe with the scope/brackets mounted. When cleaning, I use a commercial nylon pull-through to knock out the surface fouling, then run a nylon covered rod down the muzzle, slip a brush or patch through the mag well, then pull out. Takes a long time, but better than constantly removing scope bracket. I have gorilla hands, and tend to break a lot of things around my house. I am always paranoid I'll overtighten the bracket screws and shear one off in the pads... But I am really good at opening jars of pickles.
The lock rings are snugged down with some homemade tools, and I honestly couldn't tell you the last time I had to make an adjustment. They do hold nice and tight. Point of aim was black center rings held on top of reticle post.

Dan/Speckles:

Handloads were used. 180 grain Sierra spitzer flat base over 37 grains of IMR 3031, R-P Cases. From chronograph:
Vel High=2340
Vel low=2300
Average Vel (20 rounds)=2327
Extreme spread=40
Standard deviation=13

[Roy W]

I'll disagree. There is nothing wrong with that shooting. just over 2MOA is good enough. I shoot Classic rifle in the Uk particularly Historic Civilian Service Rifle and if you shot like that, you'd be picking up the trophy.

[GeeRam]

I'll disagree. There is nothing wrong with that shooting. just over 2MOA is good enough. I shoot Classic rifle in the Uk particularly Historic Civilian Service Rifle and if you shot like that, you'd be picking up the trophy.

I agree.
I was chuffed to score 40.2 at 900 yrds distance at Bisley last weekend with my 4(T) and I outscored the 4 other club members shooting L39/Envoy's which for a 75 year old 303 battle rifle was pretty good going.

[Daan Kemp]

That's good loading. Mil spec is about 2440 fps with 173gr flat base IIRC, which equates well with what you have there. Experimenting slightly with different charges might improve groups, but you have a mil spec 2"@ 100 yards group there.

Good for a standard military bolt action 77 years old!

[speckles]

I never remove a scope once once the weapon is zeroed... I have tried all types of ammo in 6 different T's... 2 moa is good, but... sadly not good enough for CMP match games... 300-600 yards is a booger . My SOV, 03A4 and M41b do it all day if I do my part... the T vexes me..